10/19/2026
HOW TO OVERWINTER UGU (FLUTED PUMPKIN): STEP-BY-STEP
My people, ugu doesn’t tolerate freezing temperatures. I borrowed this idea from how peppers are overwintered, tried it on my ugu, and it worked! Here’s exactly what I did.
1. Cut back the vine: Before the first freeze, cut the vine about 6–12 inches above ground level.
2. Dig it up: Carefully dig around the plant, keeping as much of the root system intact as possible. Gently shake off the soil and rinse the roots with clean water to reduce the chances of bringing pests indoors.
3. Prepare your container: Use a small container with drainage holes. Here’s how I layered mine:
* Piece of paper bag at the bottom, without blocking drainage
* Thin layer of play sand
* Potting mix
* Place the prepared ugu vine inside
* Add more potting mix, then sand, then potting mix
* Water lightly and finish with a layer of sand.
What’s play sand? It’s washed, screened sand commonly used in children’s sandboxes. You can find it at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or other home improvement stores.
The sand helps discourage fungus gnats and reduce pest problems indoors.
4. Move indoors: Store in a cool, frost-free location such as a garage, basement, or another protected space. I discussed 40–60°F in my video, but for tropical ugu, I recommend staying toward the warmer end of that range.
5. Winter care: Water sparingly, allowing the potting mix to dry somewhat between waterings, but don’t let the roots dry out completely. No fertilizer or grow lights needed for this resting method.
6. Come spring: Gradually introduce light and increase watering. Resume feeding when new growth appears. Harden off the plant before transplanting outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.
✅ REMEMBER: We’re NOT trying to grow ugu indoors during winter. We’re simply trying to keep the plant alive until the next growing season!
This is the method I personally tried, and it worked for me.
🎥 Watch my original video for the full demonstration. I’ll share the link in the comments.
Please SHARE with someone who grows ugu! ❤️
