Preparing container plants for winter

Winter is a tough time for most plants, but it poses a specific threat to containers. This time of year is the perfect time to do all your important prep work. That way, you don't need to worry when the time comes. Low temperatures and harsh elements can damage even the hardiest of specimens. However, with a little bit of effort and attention, it's possible to protect your plants from winter's icy grip. We'll help you safeguard your garden and make sure your favourite foliage is ready for spring.

Plants in pots are more vulnerable to the cold because their roots lack ground insulation, so they need lifting onto bricks or pot feet to ensure excess water can drain away easily.
Freezing water expands and can crack your pots, which means you should remove drip trays and choose frost-proof materials like fibreglass or glazed ceramic instead of porous terracotta.
Plants stop growing during the winter months, so you should stop feeding them in October and water them very sparingly to stop the compost from becoming dangerously waterlogged.

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Why container plants need protection

It might not be obvious, but plants in containers are arguably more at risk in cold weather than plants in the ground. Firstly, their roots aren't as well insulated. When it's really icy, wet compost can actually freeze which kills the roots of your container winter plants.

Secondly, waterlogged compost that expands when it freezes can also damage or break large outdoor plant containers. Any pots that are sat in water are at risk of cracking, but a bit of safeguarding will help to see them through the winter. Plus, it saves you from having to replace dead plants or cracked containers.

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Get rid of any water and improve drainage

Waterlogging poses a big threat to your pots and containers when the freezing conditions come in, so it's crucial that you prevent it where you can. Any saucers or drip trays should be removed ahead of winter to keep them from freezing over.

Similarly, raising the pots is also important to prevent them from sitting in water. Terracotta containers in particular are vulnerable to the cold. Stand them on bricks or special pot feet to lift them up, improve drainage, and keep the bottom of the pot out of the water. Moving your pots to a sheltered spot is also a great idea for container planting for winter.

Frost-resistant and frost-proof containers

If you see a winter plant container labelled as frost-proof, that means it's water-resistant. What it comes down to is a material that's better suited to winter conditions than the typical terracotta. Plastic and fibreglass are popular choices for frost-proof containers, and glazed ceramic pots work well, too.

It’s crucial that any ceramic pot you want to use is glazed. Unglazed ceramic is porous, which means the walls of the pot will absorb water. This is great for letting excess water seep out in the summer but not ideal for freezing weather. You should also check for good drainage, which is essential for preventing your winter container plantings from becoming waterlogged.

What are the best plants for winter?

When planning your garden, picking the right varieties is key. You might be wondering what plants will survive winter in a container. Hardy evergreens like Boxwood or Skimmia are great plants for containers. For a splash of colour, consider Cyclamen, Pansies, or Heather.

These are the best plants for a container when the weather turns cold.

If you need ideas for container planting, try mixing a tall evergreen centrepiece with trailing ivy. Deciding what to plant in containers for winter gives you the chance to keep your garden looking lively even in January.

Winter care tips for plants in containers

It's around this time of year that your plants start to slow down in preparation for their dormant period. They don't grow again until the following spring, so you should stop feeding altogether.

When it comes to watering, be careful and make sure to check the compost frequently. It can soon dry out, but you also need to be careful to avoid overwatering. Try to position your pots in areas that get as much light as possible during the winter months. This helps the foliage to stay green and healthy.

Best practices for watering container plants in winter

When caring for your container plants during the colder months, it’s important to strike a careful balance with watering to keep them healthy. Make sure to check the compost frequently because it can soon dry out, but be very careful to avoid overwatering. If the weather turns icy, wet compost can freeze, which might kill the plant's roots or expand and crack your pots.

Reviving container plants after winter

Before you revive a plant, you’ll need to check whether it can be saved. If the soil smells sour or water beads on top of it rather than being absorbed, that plant is likely dead and unsavable. If water drains into the soil, you’re good to go!

To revive a plant after winter, follow these steps:

Remove the top third of soil.
Loosen the remaining soil with a fork, breaking up compacted zones.
Refill with fresh compost.
Water until liquid flows through the drainage holes

Final steps for winter prep

It’s around this time of year that your plants start to slow down in preparation for their dormant period. They don’t grow again until the following spring, so stop feeding altogether. Even winter-flowering plants don’t really require feeding. When it comes to watering, be careful and make sure to check the compost frequently. It can soon dry out, but you also need to be careful to avoid overwatering. Try to position your pots in areas that get as much light as possible during the winter months. This helps the foliage to stay green and healthy.

FAQs

No, you don't need to feed your container plants during the colder months. As the weather turns, plants naturally slow down in preparation for their dormant period. It's best to stop feeding them altogether around October, because they won't start growing again until the following spring. Even if you have winter-flowering plants in your pots, they don't really require any extra feed.

While many hardy plants can survive outside, it's best not to leave all your container plants completely unprotected. Plants in pots are actually more at risk in cold weather than those planted in the ground because their roots aren't as well insulated. When it's really icy, wet compost can freeze, which kills the roots and can even crack the pots as the water expands.

While the exact threshold varies depending on the plant type, potted plants should generally not be exposed to temperatures below 4 – 10°C for extended periods. When the weather gets really icy, the wet compost inside your pots can freeze. This is the danger point because freezing kills the plant's roots and causes the waterlogged compost to expand, which can crack the containers themselves.

It's best to bring your container plants inside around October time. This is when your plants naturally start slowing down for their dormant period.

If you're keeping late tomato plants in a greenhouse over winter, you only need to water them when the top two inches of compost feel dry. They enter a dormant phase in winter and won't need much moisture.

Hardy evergreens like Boxwood and Ivy are excellent choices that survive freezing temperatures. For winter colour, tough flowering plants such as Pansies and Heathers will thrive in pots during the colder months.