Overwintering guide
How to overwinter water spinach 'pak boong'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — water spinach 'pak boong' 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 spinach 'pak boong' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and water spinach 'pak boong' rots from the base.
More water spinach 'pak boong' care
Overwintering water spinach 'pak boong' — FAQ
Does water spinach 'pak boong' need to come indoors for winter?
Water Spinach 'Pak Boong' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Water Spinach 'Pak Boong' 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 spinach 'pak boong' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water water spinach 'pak boong' in winter?
Cut watering right back — water spinach 'pak boong' 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 spinach 'pak boong' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and water spinach 'pak boong' rots from the base.