Whether a fuchsia survives winter outdoors comes down almost entirely to whether it's a hardy or a tender variety — and it's easy to assume the wrong one.
Fuchsias split into hardy types, which can stay outside year-round with some protection, and tender types, which need to come under cover or be propagated from cuttings before the first frost. Cutting hardy types back too early in spring risks losing frost-damaged growth that was still offering the plant some shelter.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed | Feed in June | Feed in July | Feed in August | Feed in September | ||||||||
| Prune | Prune in April | |||||||||||
| Protect | Protect in November |
Care details
- Prune In April
Cut hardy types back hard once new growth shows at the base — too early and you’ll lose frost-damaged wood you actually needed for shelter.
- Feed June – September
Feed fortnightly to keep flowers coming right through summer.
- Protect In November
Mulch thickly over the roots of hardy types, or lift and bring tender varieties under cover before the first frost.
Growing tips & common problems
- Check whether your variety is hardy or tender before deciding whether it needs protection over winter.
- Wait for new growth at the base before cutting hardy types back — pruning too early risks removing wood that was still sheltering the plant.
- Feed fortnightly through summer to keep flowers coming in a long, continuous flush.
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