As winter settles in, my container plants always show the stress first. Pots don’t protect much, and the old foliage breaks down fast once the frost hits.
Over the years, I’ve found that a small December trim keeps everything cleaner and helps these plants bounce back stronger in spring. So, let’s see which container plants are ready for a December cutback.
Why Container Plants Benefit From a December Cut-Back
There are nine container plants you should cut back in December. They need a little extra TLC and others you should leave alone. This isn’t heavy pruning; it’s just winter cleaning that helps them bounce back in spring.
I think of it a bit like winter cleaning. Thoughtful tidying prepares your container plants for a fantastic spring.
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After a few seasons of doing this, I can say December is one of the easiest times to give your containers a little love. Let’s take a look at which plants actually benefit from a winter trim.
If you’re working through your garden beds as well, we made a guide on which perennials to cut back before winter and which ones are better left standing.
