Overwintering guide
How to overwinter water lemon
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — water lemon 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 water lemon in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and water lemon rots from the base.
More water lemon care
Overwintering water lemon — FAQ
Does water lemon need to come indoors for winter?
Water lemon is hardy to roughly USDA zone 11 — winter lows around 4°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Water lemon 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 water lemon for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water water lemon in winter?
Cut watering right back — water lemon uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills water lemon over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and water lemon rots from the base.