1: Geranium (Pelargonium) (Zones 9-11 outdoors, 3-8 indoors)
Geraniums love warm weather, so unless you live in Zones 9-11, they can’t stay outside for winter. Mine come indoors every year, and the first thing they do is stretch toward the brightest window, like they’re trying to escape the room.
A quick trim of the soft, leggy growth keeps them compact while they rest indoors. It’s just a light winter touch-up, nothing heavy.
If you do garden in Zones 9-11 (lucky you!) and your geraniums stay outside year-round, you can give them the same small tidy. They handle a gentle winter haircut really well.
Quick tip: I used to toss the cuttings without thinking, but geranium tips root incredibly easily. Save the healthy ones and you’ll end up with free plants for spring.
2: Fuchsia (Zones 9-11)
Fuchsias make lovely container plants, but they’re only hardy in warm climates. As the days get shorter and the plant starts slipping into its winter rest (usually when the leaves look floppy or tired) give it a light trim.
Just cut back the soft, congested growth so it doesn’t turn twiggy. It doesn’t take much, and you’ll be rewarded with fresh, healthy shoots once spring rolls back in.
And if you’re unsure what to prune beyond your containers, here’s a simple December guide on what to cut back and what deserves to stay standing.
3: Lavender (Zones 5-9)
If you’re looking for good options in potted lavender, I’d suggest English varieties (Lavandula angustifolia), like Hidcote, Munstead, and Thumbelina Leigh. They stay a nice size and smell amazing on a cold day.
In December, I only trim off the spent flowers and tidy the shape a little. Don’t go overboard, though! Heavy pruning in winter can really set lavender back.
Quick tip: If your lavender looks a bit scruffy in winter, resist the urge to “fix” it. Light trims only!!! The real shaping happens in spring.
4: Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill) (Zones 4-9)
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The first hard frost is my signal to deal with Cranesbill in pots. The foliage basically melts into a sad, mushy pile overnight, and if you’ve ever had to fish that out of a container in January… you only let it happen once.
A quick trim right after frost keeps all that slime from turning into a fungal mess. Once the top growth is cleared, the plant can settle in and store its energy for spring, and trust me, it comes back looking much happier for it.
And if you still have a few plants sitting outside that really shouldn’t face frost, here’s a list of the ones worth bringing indoors before the cold hits.
5: Mint (Zones 3-9)
Mint is one of my favorite herbs, but honestly…it has no boundaries. The minute you turn your back, it’s already planning to take over the entire garden. That’s why I always keep mine in pots.
By December, most mint in containers looks sad and collapsed anyway, so I just cut it right down to the soil. It seems harsh, but it really does bounce back stronger once the weather starts warming up. Mint is one of those plants that forgives everything.
Quick tip: I used to leave the dead mint stems standing all winter because I assumed they were “protecting” the plant. Nope. Cutting everything down actually gives you cleaner, fresher growth in spring.
