After your patio and potted plants have made their smooth move indoors, the next challenge begins ... keeping them happy, hydrated, and healthy through the cold season.
Whether they’re sleeping in a shed, resting in a garage, or basking in a bright window, each container needs the right care to survive winter and flourish again in spring!
Choosing Which Containers to Overwinter
Not every plant in a pot needs the same treatment - some will sleep through winter's chill when wrapped, while others need protection from frost, and others yet need extra light and warmth indoors.
Tender tropicals and houseplants:
- Ficus, Boston Ferns, and Citrus trees (like Dwarf Meyer Lemon trees) should come indoors before night temperatures fall below 50°F.
- Herbs like Rosemary, Basil, and Lemon Grass also prefer warmer indoor environments.
Cold-hardy perennials and shrubs:
- Wrap pots, bury pots entirely, or move dormant plants indoors or into sheds or garages for the winter to prevent roots from freezing. Remember that broadleaf and coniferous evergreens need sunlight and water, even during storage.
- Perennials grown outside of their recommended growing zone can be overwintered in unheated sheds or garages where they can safely go dormant, provided they stay above 20°F and the soil doesn't dry out completely.
Fruit trees in containers:
- Dwarf fruit trees like Fig trees, Peach, or Apple trees can be stored in an insulated but unheated garage, shed, or covered porch where temps stay between 30-45°F. This keeps them dormant without exposing roots to deep freezes.
Care & Maintenance: How to Overwinter Container Plants Step-by-Step
Step 1: Move Them Before the Frost
As soon as nighttime temperatures dip consistently into the 40s, start transitioning plants to their winter spots. Move them gradually over several days to avoid shock - especially tender plants used to bright sun or outdoor humidity.
Step 2: Tips & Tricks for Moving Large Containers
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Use a pot dolly, hand truck, or plant caddy to avoid injury or cracking pots.
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Tilt and roll, don't lift: For heavy planters, tip them gently and use a tarp to slide across short distances.
- Wrap delicate pots: Terra cotta and ceramic containers can crack in cold weather; wrap them in bubble wrap or burlap for insulation and protection.
Step 3: Provide the Right Light and Temperature
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Evergreens and broadleaf evergreens (like Holly, Boxwood, or Gardenia) still need light - place them in a bright garage window or near a grow light.
- Ideal storage temps:
- Unheated garages/sheds: 30-45°F - perfect for dormant perennials, small trees, and hardy shrubs.
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Indoors: 55–65°F for tropicals, herbs, and houseplants. Avoid drafty windows or direct blasts of heat.
- Lighting indoors: Use full-spectrum grow lights for 12–14 hours daily if natural light is limited.
Step 4: Watch the Water - Not Too Wet, Not Too Dry
- Water sparingly - just enough to keep the soil slightly moist, never soggy.
- Always ensure containers have drainage holes. Elevate pots on saucers or bricks to prevent standing water.
- In unheated garages, check the soil every few weeks - if it's dry an inch down, give a light watering (watch how to perform the Finger Test).
- Indoors, water when the top inch feels dry, and mist leaves occasionally to maintain humidity.
Step 5: Mind the Air Indoors
- Most indoor environments are dry in winter. Use a humidifier or place a shallow tray of pebbles and water near your plants to increase moisture in the air.
- Group plants together - they naturally raise humidity for one another.
- Keep plants away from heating vents and cold drafts to avoid stress.
What NOT to Do While Plants Are in Storage or Indoors
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Don't fertilize. Plants in winter rest mode don't need nutrients until growth resumes in spring.
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Don't overwater. Soggy roots are the fastest path to rot, fungus, and mold.
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Don't keep them in total darkness. Even dormant plants need a little light and airflow.
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Don't prune too early. Wait until late winter or early spring before trimming back stems or reshaping shrubs (fruit tree pruning tips).
- Don't ignore them. Check regularly for pests like spider mites, fungus gnats, or scale, especially on plants brought indoors.
Tucking Them In: Let the Garden Sleep, But Keep It Alive
Overwintering container plants is a quiet act of hope - a gardener's promise that beauty will return. As the snow falls outside, your potted companions rest beneath soft light, their roots dreaming of spring. A little care, a little restraint, and the right winter quarters can make the difference between survival and thriving.
So, wheel those pots to shelter, wrap them snugly, and give them time to rest. When the days lengthen and the frost retreats, your plants will awaken fresh and grateful - ready to grow again.
For more inspiration and tips, visit our October gardening guide.
Happy Planting!
