Understand why a planter breaks in winter, and never have to replace one for that reason again.
Every spring, thousands of cracked planters are sent to landfill. Yet the right material and three simple steps are enough to see you through every winter.
The culprit is not the cold, but water. A porous material absorbs moisture; when it freezes, water expands by around 9% and cracks the wall from within. The same applies to waterlogged growing medium that freezes solid: the pressure splits the container. Hence the two safeguards: a low-porosity material and drainage that removes water before it freezes.
With ceramic, everything comes down to production: high-temperature firing and quality glazing seal its porosity. This is what distinguishes glazed ceramic designed for outdoor use from decorative indoor pottery. Fibre concrete, galvanised metal and stainless steel are naturally unaffected by frost. For professional use, always require an explicit frost-resistance statement.
Start by clearing the drainage: never leave a full saucer beneath a planter that stays outdoors for winter. Then raise the container slightly, on blocks or feet, so that water can drain away. Also reduce watering from autumn onwards: slightly damp growing medium freezes without damage. Finally, for delicate plants, mulch the surface and group planters away from the wind. Containers fitted with castors make this practical.
A plant in a planter is more exposed to cold than one planted in the ground: its roots do not benefit from the soil's thermal mass. Choose hardy species for permanent arrangements (olive trees, grasses, proven evergreens), and keep tender plants in planters on castors that can be stored away. Volume matters too: the larger the planter, the more protection it provides.
High-temperature glazing, fibre concrete, metals: frost simply slides off.
Water drained away before freezing cannot cause damage.
Our ranges are designed to stay outdoors all year round.
Yes, provided the firing quality is the same: the vitrified glaze seals the surface and greatly limits water absorption, the main cause of cracking. What matters most is the original design: ceramic described as frost-resistant has been fired and glazed for that purpose.
Not if the planter is frost-resistant and well drained: our ranges stay outdoors all year round. It is non-hardy plants that need protecting or moving indoors, hence the value of mobility options for seasonal arrangements.
Not outdoors: it holds water against the planter, where it freezes and damages the base. In winter, remove saucers or raise planters slightly to allow water to drain away freely.
All our ranges are designed for permanent outdoor use: let's discuss your project.
