0How it thrives
Waterlow
Lightfull sun
Humiditylow
Min. temperature-8 °CJanuary
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 3–10 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
February
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 3–10 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
March
Gentle start: the first small drink once you see buds or new growth and it warms up.
First weak dose at the end of the month if it is actively growing.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it somewhere brighter and warmer and end wintering. Get it used to strong sun gradually.
If roots fill the pot: fresh soil, a pot 1–2 cm larger. Water sparingly for a week afterwards.
April
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
The sunniest window (south or west).
If roots fill the pot: fresh soil, a pot 1–2 cm larger. Water sparingly for a week afterwards.
May
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
After mid-May (last frosts) it can go outside – keep it in partial shade for the first 1–2 weeks to avoid sunburn.
June
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
July
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
August
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
September
Deeply, but only once the soil is completely dry.
No feeding now.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Bring it in when nights drop below 5 °C. Check for pests first.
October
Taper off gradually: very little by the end of the month.
No feeding now.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it to its cool, bright winter spot and taper off watering. Log it with one click in the Care hub.
November · now
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 3–10 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
December
Only very rarely, a little water so the roots don’t dry out completely.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 3–10 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
Plant it young in its final spot due to its deep taproot; acorns are toxic to horses and dogs.
Acorns and young leaves cause kidney failure in quantity (cattle, horses). Pigs tolerate them.
Cork oak – what to know
Cork oak (Quercus suber) belongs to the Fagaceae family (genus Quercus) and is listed in our catalog under “Tree / bonsai”. Its needs – light: full sun; water: low; humidity: low. Frost-hardy to about -8 °C – it can overwinter outdoors in many climates. Rest period: cold winter dormancy. Easy enough for beginners. For cats: mildly toxic; for dogs: mildly toxic. Keep it out of reach and call a vet straight away if you suspect poisoning. Nobody on Perfect Plants Club has added it to their collection yet – be the first!
All Quercus species in the catalog →Detailed toxicity data →
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Cork oak?
Sparingly: let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and water even less in winter.
How much light does Cork oak need?
It needs plenty of direct sun – the sunniest window, or outdoors in summer, suits it best.
How cold can Cork oak get?
Frost-hardy to about -8 °C – it can overwinter outdoors in many climates.
Is Cork oak toxic to cats and dogs?
For cats: mildly toxic; for dogs: mildly toxic. Keep it out of reach and call a vet straight away if you suspect poisoning.
What members’ data shows
When does it really bloom?
No blooms logged yet. If yours flowers, your data will be the first!
Average watering interval
Not enough watering logs yet. Waterings logged in the care hub feed this chart.
Tips and questions about this species
Quercus
Care data is for guidance only.
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