Flowers That Flourish When The Temperature Drops
When winter arrives, bringing a touch of green to your outdoor space might seem challenging, but with the right selection, you can fill your garden pots with plants that thrive in colder temperatures. Here are the top 10 outdoor winter plants for pots to help keep your space lively and colorful, even when the frost settles in.
1. Violas and Pansies
Cold-Hardy Blooms for Winter Cheer
These cold-loving blooms are bright, cheerful, and tolerate low temperatures beautifully. Originating from Europe and parts of Asia, violas and pansies provide vibrant colors even when most plants have gone dormant. Fun fact: Violas and pansies have edible flowers, perfect for garnishing winter dishes!
2. Ivy (Hedera helix)
Classic Evergreen Foliage for Year-Round Structure
Ivy is a timeless choice for winter containers, adding trailing greenery that’s tough enough to withstand the cold. Found naturally in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, ivy has been cherished as a symbol of resilience. Tip: Combine ivy with upright plants to create a balanced, textured arrangement.
Pro Tip: How To Choose the Right Winter Plants for Pots
When planning your winter garden, opt for plants that resist frost, provide winter interest, and have low watering needs. Evergreens, hardy perennials, and cold-tolerant flowers offer the best blend of color and resilience for winter pots.
3. Stock (Matthiola incana)
Fragrant Blooms with Cold Resilience
Stock offers beautiful blooms with a spicy, clove-like fragrance that lasts well into colder months. Originally from the Mediterranean, this flower adds both color and scent to any winter container. Pro-tip: Place stock near your entryway to enjoy its aroma each time you pass by.
4. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
Colorful Blooms to Brighten Winter Containers
Snapdragons are surprisingly frost-tolerant, displaying vivid colors throughout winter with proper care. Native to the Mediterranean, these plants are versatile, making them ideal for winter pots. Fun fact: Snapdragons’ “dragon-like” flowers are said to symbolize strength, a fitting quality for winter gardening!
Why Winter Plants for Outdoor Pots are Essential
Winter plants for pots add color, structure, and life to outdoor spaces, even in the harshest months. Selecting hardy varieties that can endure frost means your garden will stay vibrant, allowing you to enjoy nature’s beauty year-round.
5. Hellebores (Helleborus spp.)
Winter Blooms for a Touch of Elegance
Known as the “Christmas Rose,” hellebores are famed for their elegant, rose-like flowers that bloom even in winter. Native to parts of Europe and Asia, these resilient blooms add a delicate charm to any winter display. With shades from white to deep purple, hellebores bring a unique winter beauty to pots.
6. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Foliage that Brings Color and Texture All Winter
Heuchera is loved for its colorful foliage, which adds a bold statement to winter pots. This hardy perennial is native to North America and brings vibrant tones of purple, bronze, and lime to your containers.
Pro Tip: Mix heuchera with other evergreens to create a dynamic color contrast in winter.
Top Tips for Maintaining Winter Plants in Pots
Keep potted winter plants healthy by using frost-resistant containers and providing proper drainage. Regularly water plants in mild winter weather, and mulch lightly to insulate the soil against extreme cold.
7. Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Frost-Tolerant and Full of Color
Ornamental cabbage and kale are some of the most resilient plants for outdoor winter containers, thriving in low temperatures. Their purple, green, and white hues deepen with cold weather, adding bold color to winter pots. Kale and cabbage are incredibly easy to start from seed indoors. Simply soak for 12 hours and then sow the seeds in a warm area.
Fun fact: Although edible, ornamental varieties are chosen primarily for their color.
8. Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
Silver Foliage Adds a Frosty Effect
Dusty miller’s silver leaves create a frosted look, complementing other winter plants beautifully. Native to the Mediterranean, this low-maintenance plant offers unique texture and color in containers. Combine it with vibrant winter blooms for a striking contrast.
Benefits of Adding Winter Plants to Outdoor Pots
Outdoor winter plants for pots provide seasonal interest, supporting your outdoor garden when most plants lie dormant. By combining cold-resistant blooms, evergreens, and textured foliage, you can create an engaging display even during the coldest months.
9. Dwarf Conifers
Miniature Evergreens for Long-Lasting Greenery
Dwarf conifers offer year-round color and shape, making them ideal for winter pots. These mini versions of towering evergreens are especially suited to small containers.
Fun fact: Many dwarf conifers are slow-growing, providing a long-term addition to your winter garden.
10. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Golden Foliage that Pops in Winter
With its low-growing, golden leaves, Creeping Jenny adds brightness to any winter container garden. Known for its ability to spread and create a “carpet” effect, this plant is great for covering the soil in pots, adding warmth and color. We grow much of our own Creeping Jenny right here in our shop!
Fun fact: Its color intensifies in colder months!
