Dress up the front of your house with these hardy winter plants.
By Kat Brancato Published on November 30, 2024
The arctic chill of the winter air can leave your lawn looking a bit barren and that can be a downer for plant lovers. However, there are some beautiful outdoor container plants that can survive the winter and brighten up your porch, stoop, and outdoor displays. Plus, some of these plants are drought-tolerant and difficult to kill, which is great for beginner gardeners, too.
We went straight to the experts to get a list of the best container plants to grow outdoors during the winter season. Here's what they recommend.
01 | Coral Bells
Melvin Cubian, a certified botanist from the PlantIn app, says that if you want a plant with an interesting color palette and leaf pattern, Heuchera, (also called coral bells) is the perfect plant for your porch or outdoor space.
“It is prized for its stunning, winter-persisting foliage available in deep purples, silvers, greens, and even amber tones, depending on the variety," he says. "Plus, the leaves' texture and hues makes it an excellent filler plant for winter arrangements."
Cubian says that this plant requires less attention during winter as long as it sits in a well-draining pot or garden bed and in a semi-shade spot. Prune the withered leaves during the spring season to avoid disease outbreaks.
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
02 | Yucca
Marek Bowers, gardener and founder of Bolder Green, says if you are looking for a container plant that will survive the winter that is bold and a little edgy, then yucca tops the list. Some species of yucca have beautiful blooms during the summer months, but the foliage is striking enough to liven up your porch during the winter season.
“Yucca’s spiky, evergreen leaves are perfect for adding some drama to your pots. Plus, it’s drought-tolerant and super tough,” he informs. “Plant it in a modern-looking pot for an instant cool factor. You can even pair it with a trailing ivy or grass for contrast.”
Bowers says that this plant likes full sun and hates sitting in soggy soil, so make sure your pot drains well, and water it sparingly.
Hardiness Zones: 4 to10
03 | Hellebore
According to Cubian, Hellebores deserve a good spot on your porch or container garden throughout winter due to their durability and low maintenance.
“When not in bloom, the dark green leaves are a wonderful sight that pops out perfectly with the dreary ambiance," he says. "Come late winter you can expect its exotic flowers to burst into full bloom, showcasing shades of white, pink, burgundy, or green.”
This plant prefers partly shaded spots, though it thrives best with indirect light, such as under a plant or a shrub. To prevent rotting, ensure that you use well-draining soil when planting in a container.
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
04 | Powis Castle Artemisia
Bowers says that artemisia “Powis Castle” is great because its silvery, feathery leaves look classy and go with anything. “You can pair it with plants that have colorful berries like holly for a festive look. Plus, It’s also drought-tolerant, so you don’t have to babysit it,” he informs.
If planted in the ground, this bushy shrub can grow 2 to 3 feet tall and be between 3 to 6 feet wide. But with proper pruning, it can be a lavish container plant for your front porch display.
Bowers says that this type of Artemisia likes full sun and soil that doesn’t stay wet. You should also give it a little trim during the spring season to keep it from getting leggy.
Hardiness Zones: 6 to 10
05 | Wintergreen
Wintergreen is an evergreen shrub known for its leathery dark green leaves and red berries. It's perfect for outdoor displays, and its berries persist through the cold months, adding visual interest to the plain wintry landscape.
“[The plant's] slow-growing and low-profile habit makes it an excellent plant for blending with taller shrubs in the background or ideal for tight spaces like porch pots," Cubian says.
He adds tht you need to ensure this plant gets partial light and water only when the topsoil looks dry. You will need to prune it in the spring season to control its growth and maintain its shape.
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
06 | Redtwig Dogwood
Bowers says that Redtwig Dogwood is a native plant that’s super hardy and looks amazing all year round, which is why it’s one of the best container plants for your front porch this winter. “Its bright red stems provide a pop of color against the gray and brown of winter,” he says.
He suggests pairing it with evergreen sprigs or tall branches for a quick and easy winter container arrangement.
Bowers advises sticking this plant in a sunny spot with moist soil, though it’s not too picky. Cut back some of the older stems in the spring to keep that vibrant red color going strong.
Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7
07 | Japanese Pieris
“Japanese pieris is a medium-sized ornamental shrub that features glossy reddish leaves on the shoots that turn green when mature," Cubian says. "It also boasts clusters of drooping, campanulate, or bell-like flowers when in bloom in late winter to early spring."
Cubian recommends placing this plant in spots with full to partial light. If you want to maintain its size, you should also prune it yearly in the spring. You need to ensure that the soil is rich in organic matter, like compost or sand, to prevent common root rot diseases like Phytophthora.
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
08 | Dusty Miller
“If you have a winter with milder temperatures, Dusty Miller is suitable for planting in stoop containers," Cubian says. "However, some varieties can also withstand short cold spells, displaying silvery foliage that stands out in frost or snow, adding a frosty, festive feel to displays."
“Moreover, the lacy and wavy foliage creates a beautiful contrast with other evergreen plants, such as hollies or wintergreens," he continues.
Cubian recommends planting in sandy soil with little organic matter to prevent rotting. Dead leaves should also be removed in the spring to prevent fungal infection of the healthy leaves and flowers that will emerge in the spring season.
Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10
