Top 15 Outdoor Container Plants for Winter

1. Snowdrops

When it comes to winter container gardening, few plants capture the magic of the season, quite like snowdrops (Galanthus).

These delicate, bell-shaped flowers are among the first to bloom, often pushing through snow to announce the arrival of late winter or early spring. Their pure white petals and subtle green accents make them a classic choice for winter arrangements.

Some varieties of snowdrops emit a light, honey-like scent, adding an extra layer of charm to your outdoor space. 

Snowdrops are incredibly resilient and can withstand freezing temperatures, making them perfect for winter container gardening. They thrive in cold climates and are well-suited to hardiness zones 3-8.

2. Autumn Fern

The autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) is an excellent addition to outdoor container plants for winter because of its stunning foliage and adaptability. It thrives even in the coldest months.

Its unique ability to transition through copper, orange, and green shades makes it a standout plant for winter.

Autumn ferns are hardy in USDA zones 5-9, making them well-suited for winter container gardening in many regions. They can withstand light frosts and cooler temperatures, especially when protected in containers.

These ferns are relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established. Once mature, they’re drought-tolerant and don’t need frequent watering during winter.

3. Erica Carnea

This small, evergreen shrub is a winter superstar. Its tiny bell-shaped flowers, in shades of pink, purple, white, and red, create a carpet of color.

Outdoor container plants for winter, like Erica Carnea, thrive in cold weather and can handle frost and snow. It’s perfect for winter container gardening in cooler climates (hardiness zones 5-7).

Pair it with white pansies, silver-leaved plants, or dwarf conifers for a frosty, winter-themed arrangement.

Erica Carnea blooms for months, from December to April, ensuring your garden stays colorful through the coldest seasons. Its beautiful colors, evergreen foliage, and easy-care nature make it a fantastic choice for winter container gardening. 

4. Ornamental Kale

This hardy plant is not only beautiful but also tough enough to thrive in cold weather. With its vibrant, ruffled leaves in shades of purple, pink, white, and green, ornamental kale brings a festive touch to your outdoor space, even in the depths of winter.

Ornamental kale stays colorful all winter, providing months of color to your space. The best time to plant ornamental kale is in late summer or early fall so it can establish before winter.

Ornamental kale is often affordable and widely available at local nurseries in the fall. Its hardy nature and frilly leaves add a warm texture to any outdoor space.

5. Hellebores

Also known as Lenten roses or winter roses, these stunning perennials are an excellent choice for winter. They offer delicate, rose-like flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, and green.

Hellebore flowers last for weeks, sometimes even months, providing long-lasting beauty. They rarely attract deer or pests, so they won’t get eaten or damaged.

Pair them with ivy or ferns for a lush, elegant look. While hellebores are cold-hardy, you can protect them from extreme frost by moving the container to a sheltered spot or covering it with a frost cloth.

Trim old or damaged leaves in late winter to make room for new growth and flowers. Hellebores bloom from late winter to early spring, often when snow is still on the ground. 

6. Eranthis Hyemalis

Also known as winter aconite, it often blooms in late winter or early spring. Its bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers and lush green foliage remind us that spring is on its way.

The flowers are small and cup-shaped, surrounded by a collar of green leaves, giving them a unique and delicate appearance. 

Eranthis Hyemalis grows only about 3-6 inches tall, making it ideal for small containers or as a filler in larger arrangements. It’s an excellent choice for outdoor container plants for winter.

It offers a burst of color and vitality during the year’s coldest months. Eranthis hyemalis is exceptionally resilient, thriving in freezing temperatures and tolerating frost and snow. 

7. Primroses

These charming, low-growing perennials bring a touch of springtime magic to winter displays. Pimroses come in various colors, including shades of yellow, pink, purple, red, white, and even bi-colored varieties. 

The blooms are often arranged in clusters, creating a dense, eye-catching display. Depending on the arrangement, they work well as fillers and pair beautifully with taller plants, trailing foliage, or other winter bloomers.

Many primrose varieties bloom in late winter or early spring, providing color when most other plants remain dormant. 

Primroses are well-suited for cold weather and thrive in zones 4-8. Depending on your climate, the best time to plant primrose is in early fall or late winter.

Sedum

Sedum provides year-round beauty, with colorful foliage in winter and flowers that last well into the colder months.

Commonly known as stonecrop, it is a versatile succulent known for its ability to thrive in challenging conditions. It provides year-round beauty, making it one of the hardiest outdoor container plants for winter.

Its sturdy, upright stems and dense clusters of flowers create a sculptural effect, providing visual interest when many other plants have faded.

Sedum is cold-tolerant, making it one of the few plants that can withstand freezing temperatures without losing its charm. With its unmatched beauty, resilience, and ease of care, it is a winter favorite.

When many plants lose colour in winter, Sedum keeps your garden lively. Its flowers and foliage may fade slightly, but they still offer beautiful shades of copper, rust, red, and gold.

9. Mahonia

With its glossy, holly-like leaves, Mahonia produces clusters of bright yellow flowers that are visually stunning and lightly fragrant. These blooms are a magnet for pollinators like bees, even in chilly weather.

The blooms are typically a bright, sunny yellow, though some varieties may have lighter or deeper shades. The vibrant color stands out beautifully against the dark green foliage.

After flowering, Mahonia develops small, dark blue or purple berries that become a source to attract birds to your garden.

It thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 5–9, so it’s suitable for various climates. The shrub is relatively easy to care for. It tolerates various soil types but prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil.

Mahonia shrubs are evergreen, meaning they retain lush foliage throughout the year.

10. leucothoe

Leucothoe is a versatile and low-maintenance plant known for its graceful arching branches, glossy foliage, and delicate blooms. Depending on the variety, it typically grows to a height of 2–5 feet and has a similar spread.

The leaves are leathery, glossy, and lance-shaped, with a deep green color.  In cooler weather, the leaves often take on stunning hues of red, burgundy, or purple.  The flowers are typically white or pale pink, with a subtle, sweet fragrance.

The flowers are small, bell-shaped, and hang in clusters along the stems. It thrives in partial to full shade, making it an excellent choice for shaded patios, balconies, or north-facing gardens.

Leucothoe’s evergreen foliage ensures your containers look vibrant and lively, even in the depths of winter.

11. Cyclamen

Cyclamen is a unique and eye-catching plant known for its stunning flowers and heart-shaped leaves. The flowers are unique and eye-catching, with five upswept petals that resemble butterfly wings or shooting stars.

The blooms come in a range of shades, including white, pink, red, purple, and magenta. The leaves are thick and leathery, with intricate patterns. 

Each flower can last for several weeks, and the plant continues to produce new blooms throughout its flowering season. 

It can be grown in containers, borders, or as a ground cover, making it a flexible choice for various garden designs. 

Its versatility and ease of care make it a perfect choice for both seasoned gardeners and beginners.

12. Winterberry Holly 

Winterberry Holly is a deciduous shrub that steals the show in winter with its dazzling display of bright red berries. Its marvelous berries, elegant form, and friendly nature make this native North American shrub a must-have for outdoor container plants for winter.

Winterberry is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. Only female plants produce berries but require a male pollinator nearby to set fruit.

The real magic happens in fall and winter when the female plants are covered in clusters of bright red berries. These berries persist long after the leaves have fallen, creating a stunning contrast against the bare branches and snowy backdrop.

The berries persist well into winter, often remaining on the branches until birds devour them or spring arrives. It thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9.

13. Nandina

Also known as Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina is a versatile plant with delicate foliage,  seasonal color-changing ability, and clusters of bright berries. The flowers are usually white or pale pink, creating a soft, airy effect. 

Nandina’s leaves are compound, with multiple leaflets arranged in a feather-like pattern. The foliage is a lush green in spring and summer, but as temperatures drop, it transforms into stunning shades of red, orange, and purple.

Nandina’s foliage undergoes dramatic color transformations throughout the year. While the berries are toxic to humans, they are a food source for birds, adding ecological value to your garden.

Whether you’re looking to create a stunning focal point, add color to a border, or simply enjoy a plant that shines in winter, Nandina is a must-have for your garden.

14. Clivia

Often referred to as the “Winter Lily” or “Bush Lily,” Clivia is a magnificent flowering plant celebrated for its gorgeous clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers and lush, arching foliage. 

Clivia typically flowers from late winter to early spring, making it one of the most stunning outdoor container plants for winter.

The trumpet-shaped flowers are arranged in large, umbrella-like clusters (umbels) that rise above the foliage on sturdy stalks.

Clivia blooms come in shades of orange, yellow, peach, and red. The most common variety, Clivia miniata, features vibrant orange flowers with a yellow throat.

Clivia thrives in shaded or partially shaded areas, making it an excellent choice for gardens with limited sunlight. 

Each flower cluster can last for several weeks, and the plant continues to produce new blooms over an extended period.

15. Dwarf Conifers

Dwarf conifers are prized for their compact size, diverse shapes, and evergreen foliage, making them a versatile and attractive addition to any garden.

Unlike deciduous plants, dwarf conifers retain their foliage throughout the year, providing consistent color and structure, even in the depths of winter.

Dwarf conifers come in various shapes, including globes, pyramids, cones, and cascading forms. These plants are long-lived and slow-growing, ensuring they remain permanently in your garden for years.

These miniature versions of their larger relatives are perfect for adding evergreen beauty to small spaces. They can be used in a variety of ways, from container arrangements and rock gardens to borders and focal points.