Winter Outdoor Plants for Pots

We start our list with one of the most well-known frost resistant outdoor shrubs for gardens and patios, oleander (Nerium oleander). It is also sometimes called nerium and presents in a wide range of colors.

Oleander is one of the best choices if you're looking for a hardy plant that doesn't require a lot of care. Just keep in mind that if eaten or used as firewood, its smoke can be toxic to pets and children. Otherwise, it is widely used for its brightly colored flowers that bring life to any garden, although its blooms only last until around September. Additionally, oleanders are drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor soil conditions, making them ideal for those who may not have a green thumb.

The African agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus), also known as the African lily, is one of the most popular outdoor plants for winter. It is noted for its beauty with lush foliage and beautiful flowers presented in florescent white, shimmering blue, lilac or crimson. Although it can be grown in the garden soil as a ground cover, it is more often found in pots, making it the perfect choice for hardy potted plants to be placed outdoors.

Moreover, the African agapanthus is not just prized for its aesthetic appeal. It is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance, and is resistant to pests and diseases. This makes it a perfect choice for novice gardeners or those who prefer low-maintenance plants.

Also known as Palmate maple, the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is one of the most widely distributed plants of East Asian origin. Although this is an ideal potted plant, we need to ensure the pot is sufficiently large. This is because it can grow up to 10 m (39'), although it averages around half that height in most conditions. While it is hardy in winter, it will also fare well in summer temperatures up to 38 ºC (100.4 ºF) with plenty of watering.

Japanese maples are known for their vibrant leaf colors, which can range from deep reds to bright yellows, adding a splash of color to any outdoor space. It's an excellent choice for creating a serene and picturesque setting, perfect for relaxation and meditation.

This plant is so hardy in cool climates that it has been given the name the cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior). Although it fares well in warm temperatures, it is a patio plant which can withstand temperatures as low as 0 ºC (32 ºF). This means it is incredibly frost resistant. It also has been given its name because it can survive for incredibly long periods, even when neglected. This does not mean we shouldn't look after it, but it does mean it will probably survive if we forget to water it for a few days.

In addition to its resilience, the cast-iron plant is known for its glossy, dark green leaves that can brighten any shaded corner of your garden or patio. It is also an excellent air purifier, enhancing the quality of the environment where it is placed.

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp.) is a climbing plant and widely used to cover trellises and pergolas. It is particularly appreciated for its abundant flowering and can thrive under minimal care. You can maintain it with little effort and enjoy it in both warmer and cooler months. It tolerates drought well, but we do need to be careful with waterlogging, meaning drainage is vital. It will survive well in winter, but will not flower until it is warmer.

This plant is not only aesthetically pleasing but also helps in creating privacy screens when trained to grow over fences or walls. Its vibrant bracts, often mistaken for flowers, come in shades of pink, purple, and orange, adding an exotic flair to any outdoor setting.

Commonly known as red bottlebrush, crimson bottlebrush, or lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), this is one of the hardiest evergreen shrubs. It can be grown in pots or directly in soil. When planted in soil, it can reach more than 3 m (3.2') in height.

It is widely used for its thorny red flowers which decorate the corners of gardens, terraces and patios. It is a shrub that prefers direct exposure to the sun. Also noteworthy is its ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to a healthy ecosystem in your garden.

One of the most widely used deciduous trees outdoors, the cherry or Myrobalan plum (Prunus cerasifera) is so popular thanks to its hardiness. This makes it a particularly good winter outdoor plant for pots. It is capable of reaching up to 15 m (49') in height. It is used for its great ornamental value thanks to its reddish trunk and its spectacular flowering in early spring. It can easily withstand temperatures up to 38 ºC/100.4 ºF in summer and -15 ºC/5 ºF in winter.

The cherry plum is not only valued for its hardiness but also for its fragrant spring blooms, which can be a delightful addition to any garden. Its fruits, though small, can be used in making jams and jellies, adding another layer of utility to this beautiful tree.

You probably know this plant because it is one of the most effective natural ways to repel mosquitoes. This shrubby, lemon-scented plant is also a more than perfect choice for patios and gardens. Although a good winter outdoor plant, you may want to cover the West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) in case of frost. It is great to place near where you sleep during the summer as its aroma is both very pleasant and acts as a repellant for bugs.

Lemongrass is also a versatile culinary herb, often used in Asian cuisines to add a fresh, citrusy flavor to dishes. Its essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy for their calming and refreshing properties.

The Leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii) is a hybrid between the cypress plants Cupressus macrocarpa and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis. The result is a strong-growing plant, capable of gaining a foot and a half in height per year, which differs from the usual cypress hedges. This plant is widely used for enclosed gardens and outdoor areas such as patios, to avoid prying eyes from neighbors.

Cypress can also be kept as a potted plant, but it is better in a bed if you want to create a hedgerow. It is undemanding to the soil and is resistant to both the salinity of coastal areas and severe cold, making it suitable for keeping outside during winter. Besides providing privacy, the Leyland cypress can serve as a windbreak, protecting other plants and structures from harsh winter winds.

Also known as mondograss or monkeygrass, the dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus) is a herbaceous plant native to Korea, Japan and China. It is very popular as an ornamental plant, especially as an edging plant or ground cover. However, it is also a great winter outdoor plant for pots.

Lilyturf forms a thick clump with a large number of long, narrow, ribbon-like leaves. It is a species of great capacity for growth and expansion and its small flowers give rise to very showy blue fruits which are round or oval and very beautiful. It grows well in full to partial shade and is not difficult to water unless it is grown in full sun. Moreover, its dense foliage can help suppress weeds, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens.

The common carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a classic in balcony planter pots. This brightly colored flower is undoubtedly an excellent choice for filling the exterior of your home with life. To grow and flourish well, this plant prefers a location where it receives direct sunlight and receives continuous watering to encourage flowering. It is one of the best heat and cold resistant outdoor plants. It will only flower in warm months, but will likely survive the winter to flower again.

Carnations are not only known for their beauty but also for their delightful fragrance. They come in a variety of colors, each with its symbolic meaning, making them a popular choice for floral arrangements and bouquets.

Clematis (Clematis spp.) is another of the most popular flowering climbing plants used by those who don't have time to continually tend their garden. This plant is very resistant all year round to both frost and direct sunlight, making it a great winter outdoor plant. They also have a pleasant fragrance similar to that of jasmine. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that it tends to be quite invasive, so it is best to prune it if it starts to creep too far across your garden or balcony.

Clematis can be trained to grow over arches, trellises, or pergolas, creating stunning vertical displays of colorful blooms. Its versatility and beauty make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance to their outdoor spaces.

The natal lily (Clivia Miniata) was very common in gardens and patios a few years ago, but is becoming more and more present in our urban environments. This is partly thanks to its great resistance and attractive appearance. It is a herbaceous plant that stands out both for its large, elongated, flat leaves of a beautiful dark green. It is also noted for its remarkable annual flowering.

Natal lily is not a difficult plant to maintain. It tolerates low winter temperatures and semi-shaded locations very well. Care must be taken with exposure to direct or intense sunlight as it can damage its leaves. In order for it to flower in the spring, the plant must be kept cool and the watering stopped at the end of autumn for about eight weeks. Additionally, its vibrant orange or red flowers can brighten any indoor space when brought inside during particularly harsh winter conditions.

The chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp. ) is one of the most representative flowering plants of Japan, known as the land of the rising sun. Their large flowers present in a wide variety of colors, from pinks and reds, to whites and yellows. These flowering plants adapt easily to cold climates, but should not receive direct sunlight. Just place it in a cool place, preferably in partial shade, to take full advantage of its spectacular flowering.

Chrysanthemums are also important in many cultural traditions, symbolizing longevity and rejuvenation. They are often used in festivals and ceremonies, adding cultural value to their ornamental appeal. Their ability to bloom in late fall when most other plants have finished flowering makes them a unique addition to any garden.

The kidney weed plant (Dichondra repens) is one of the most used plants in gardens, but not only because of its incredible resistance to climatic changes and winter temperatures. The creeping plant is often used as a ground cover or grass substitute. However, their curious kidney-shaped leaves make them just as attractive if you want to keep these as winter outdoor plants in pots.

Kidney weed is also low maintenance and can thrive in a variety of soil types. It has the added benefit of being resilient to foot traffic, making it a practical choice for pathways or areas where children and pets play. Its lush green foliage remains attractive throughout the year, providing continuous greenery to your garden.

Best known as laurustinus or laurentine (Viburnum tinus), this is a potted shrub native to the Mediterranean coast. Not only is the plant able to survive in winter and is frost resistant, but it actually blooms during the winter months. Unlike some of the winter outdoor plants for pots on our list, the laurustinus is best during winter thanks to its beautiful and delicate white flowers.

Although it can be used in pots, many people use it for borders and hedges. Laurentine is widely known for its great resistance to cold and heat, as well as shade and sun. It is a versatile plant that stays green all year round, even in the cooler months. Additionally, its berries provide food for birds, making it a valuable plant for supporting local wildlife.

Although the scarlet firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea) is a thorny shrub, it is also one of the species of outdoor plants best known for its vivacity. This shrub can be great in pots or hedgerows and has a beautiful white inflorescence. This remains in place throughout the spring and summer and produces small, round, red fruits which are borne in abundant clusters. It is common to see it used both as a wall decoration shrub and as an isolated hedge away from the wall, but it should be noted that it prefers partial shade.

In addition to its ornamental appeal, the scarlet firethorn's dense thorny branches provide excellent shelter for small birds. Its vibrant red berries last into winter, adding color to the landscape and offering a food source for birds during the colder months.

Red tip photinia (Photinia x fraseri) is a fast growing evergreen shrub that can reach 3 m (10') in height. It is used for its elongated leaves which change color, being red in spring and purple in summer. In winter and the rest of the year, they remain deep green. It is a very resistant plant that can grow without problems in any type of soil and be exposed to the sun without suffering damage. It is also known as a Christmas berry.

Red tip photinia is ideal for hedging purposes due to its rapid growth and dense foliage. Its colorful leaves provide seasonal interest, and its small white flowers add a delicate touch in spring. This plant's adaptability makes it a versatile choice for various landscaping needs.

While we have gone into detail about some of the most common frost-resistant plants you can use in your garden or terrace, here is a list of some more winter outdoor plants for pots you may want to discover:

• Texas privet (Ligustrum texanum)
• Geranium (Geranium spp.)
• Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
• Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
• Ivies (Hedera spp.)
• Southern jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• German bearded iris (Iris x germanica)
• Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
• Roses (Rosa spp.)
• Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis)
• Clover (Trifolium spp.)
• Prickly pear (Opuntia maxima)
• Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
• European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis)
• Petunia (Petunia spp.)
• Garden pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
• Agave (Agave spp.)
• Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira)
• Yucca (Yucca spp.)
• ZZ plant or (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

These plants not only offer resilience to cold temperatures but also provide diverse options for gardeners looking to enhance their outdoor spaces during the winter months. They can be mixed and matched to create beautiful, varied displays that last throughout the year.

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