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Has anyone had success overwintering pink justicia in the ground in zone 8a? Or should it be overwintered in the garage? It doesn't grow well in my home.
Can you say a little more about the conditions it was in when you kept it in your house and what the symptoms were when it started to have trouble? Also, was it in a pot last time and you just brought the pot in for the winter, or was it in the ground and you dug it up? If it was in the ground and you dug it up then it could be you lost too many roots in the process, or if you dug it up and potted it up in the garden soil it came in, that can be too heavy and not drain well enough which can lead to rot. It should do fine in the house over the winter, so if you can give some more info on what happened last time around maybe someone could give you some suggestions on what to do differently this time. I definitely think it would be happier in the house than in the garage if you can't leave it outdoors. (In theory it's hardy in zone 8a, but theory and reality don't always match so hopefully someone will be along with some personal experience)
When I had a previous plant that I just bought from Lowe's in the house, it was in a sunny window. I bought it late spring or early summer. It never made it to winter. I kept it semi-moist at all times & fed it once a month. But no matter what I did, the leaves just kept drying up and falling off. Eventually the plant turned black and I threw it out. Maybe it never made the transition to the indoors. Maybe it would have been better if I'd grown it on a sunny porch or put it in the ground.
I decided to try again when I recently received some small plants from a local nurseryman getting rid of his stock. I have enough to leave some in the ground and to bring a couple in the house for the winter in case the ones in the ground don't make it.
I don't think it had anything to do with the location--the leaves falling off and then the plant eventually turning black makes me suspect that you were watering it too much. If you try some more indoors, I'd try keeping them a little drier and see if that works better. The easiest way to learn when you really need to water is to stick your finger down a couple inches into the pot and see how wet it feels--if it's still pretty moist then hold off on watering, but if it's getting dry then go ahead and give it a good drink.
