What environmental conditions are best for overwintering plants?

The ideal environmental conditions for overwintering plants involve keeping them in a cool and dark environment. This is because most plants enter a dormant state during the winter months, which is similar to hibernation. During dormancy, plants reduce their metabolic activity, and exposure to excessively warm conditions or bright light can disrupt this process and encourage growth when the plant should be resting.

In a cool and dark environment, the temperature should ideally be just above freezing to prevent damaging frost while discouraging active growth. These conditions help conserve energy and ensure that the plants remain in a stable state until the conditions become favorable for growth again in the spring.

Additionally, maintaining a dark environment minimizes the risk of triggering premature bud break, which could leave the plants vulnerable to damage from late frosts. The combination of cool temperatures and low light helps maintain the physiological processes necessary for overwintering, allowing plants to store energy and prepare for the upcoming growing season.