Overwintering guide
How to overwinter string of pickles
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — string of pickles uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
The mistake that kills string of pickles in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and string of pickles rots from the base.
More string of pickles care
Overwintering string of pickles — FAQ
Does string of pickles need to come indoors for winter?
String of pickles is hardy to roughly USDA zone 9 — winter lows around -7°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. String of pickles is frost-tender, so overwintering means bringing it inside and letting it rest rather than pushing it to grow. Move it indoors well before the first frost, give it the brightest spot you have (light levels indoors drop sharply in winter), and keep it away from both cold window glass and hot radiators — the swing between the two does more damage than the cold itself.
When should I move string of pickles for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water string of pickles in winter?
Cut watering right back — string of pickles uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills string of pickles over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and string of pickles rots from the base.