Not all flowerpots are suitable for year-round outdoor use – generally, only “high-fired” pots can survive the temperature changes and the freeze/thaw cycle. Some pots that don’t make this cut are most Mexican terracotta planters and most Italian red clay pottery. Also, any pots or vases that do not have drainage holes should be brought inside.
Once you’ve determined you have flowerpots that will most likely survive the worst winter has to offer, it’s important to note it’s generally not OK to leave the pots in the same condition they were in during the growing season.
The best option is to bring your ceramic flowerpots inside or cover them with a tarp. If those aren’t options for your containers, or if you like the way the pots look and you want to keep looking at them all winter, there are lots of things you can do to ensure your beautiful pots continue to look great and last through the winter:
Keep the Drainage Holes Open
Hands down, this is the single most important factor in determining if your planters will make it through the winter. Do NOT plug the drainage holes in any way on pots you intend to leave outside through the winter. Please note this does NOT mean the pots need to be empty, but if you pour water into the pot, it should start dripping through the drainage holes within minutes. This is best accomplished by placing a layer of small rocks, broken pots, Styrofoam peanuts, or similarly-sized materials on the bottom of the pot, which will prevent the drain from getting blocked with soil clots. Ideally, this layer will be about 10-15% of the interior height of the pot. The photo shows a good example of a pot prepared for winter use.
Use A Potting Soil Blend that Allows for Drainage
You should be doing this anyway, but if you aren’t, Fall is a great time to change your potting soil. Again, the goal is to ensure water can drain fully to the bottom of the flowerpot.
No Saucers During Winter Months
Seriously. Saucers do many great things – they help keep your plants hydrated through the hot seasons, protect your decks and floors, and look great with many flowerpots. They are also your flowerpots’ worst enemy during a deep freeze. Any residual water left in a saucer when the cold hits will freeze. This will not only cause the saucer to become stuck to the planter, but it can also pressure the foot of the pot, causing breakage or crumbling. The ice-filled saucer will also plug the drainage holes on the bottom of your pot, allowing the pot to retain water, which creates the opportunity for ice to expand and break the pot from the inside out.
Use Pot Feet
Again, there are a lot of reasons for doing this. First, using pot feet keeps the bottom of the pot elevated, which enhances drainage. This elevation also keeps water from pooling below the pot, eliminating the risk of the pot freezing to the ground.
Don’t Light Fires in Your Pots
A cold ceramic planter and burning logs equals a broken planter. 100% of the time. Get a fire pit.
