Overwintering guide
How to overwinter spaghetti squash
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills spaghetti squash in winter
Cutting spaghetti squash hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More spaghetti squash care
- Overwintering squash — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering spaghetti squash — our other guide for the same plant
- Full spaghetti squash care guide
- Spaghetti Squash temperature range
- How often to water spaghetti squash
- How to prune spaghetti squash
- Common spaghetti squash problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering spaghetti squash — FAQ
Does spaghetti squash need to come indoors for winter?
Spaghetti Squash is hardy to roughly USDA zone 3 — winter lows around -40°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Spaghetti Squash is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move spaghetti squash for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water spaghetti squash in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills spaghetti squash over winter?
Cutting spaghetti squash hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.