Overwintering Spike Plants (Dracaena): Save Your Container Centers for Next Year

Those tall, grassy "spikes" in your mixed containers are Dracaena indivisa (also sold as Cordyline). They're not cold-hardy, but they're incredibly easy to overwinter indoors—and they'll come back bigger and better next season.

Why They Declined

If left outside through freezing temperatures, the foliage dies back. But the roots often survive if protected. The brown leaves you see are frost damage, not necessarily death.

Simple Overwintering Method

1. Before frost: Dig up the entire plant, keeping the root ball intact
2. Pot it up: Use a 6–8 inch container with drainage holes and quality potting mix (no rocks or shards at the bottom)
3. Bring indoors: Place in bright, indirect light
4. Water sparingly: Just enough to keep roots from completely drying—about once every 2–3 weeks

Pro Tip for Next Year

When you buy new spikes in spring, pot them immediately into 6-inch plastic nursery pots. Sink the whole pot into your decorative container. In fall, simply lift the pot out—no root disturbance, no mess—and bring it inside. The plant will be larger and more impressive each year.

Spikes are long-lived houseplants that double as stunning container centerpieces. A little fall effort yields years of returns.