18 Plants With Winter Interest Perfect For Pots

Here are suggestions for plants with winter interest across a wide range of hardiness zones.

Boxwood: Toxic to petsJapanese skimmia: Toxic to humansNadina: Toxic to petsJapanese holly: Toxic to humans, toxic to pets

To make sure that the plant forms the desired dense mat, winter heath should be pruned right after flowering.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-7Flower color: Pink, whiteLight: Full sun, partial shadeMature Size: 6-9 in. tall, 1-2 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7Flower color: White, pale pinkLight: Partial shadeMature Size: 4-8 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9Leaf color: Green, golden-bronze in the winterLight: Full sun, partial shadeMature Size: 2-4 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-8Leaf color/flower color: Yellow, whiteLight: Partial shade, shadeMature Size: 3-4 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10Flower color: PinkLight: Full sun, partial shadeMature Size: 4 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9Leaf color/flower color: YellowLight: Partial shade, full shadeMature Size: 2-3-ft. tall, 2-5 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11Flower color: YellowLight: Full sun, partial shadeMature Size: 6-15 ft. tall, 6-20 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-7Leaf color: Dark greenLight: Full sun, partial shadeMature Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 3-5 ft. wide

It is a slow grower that reaches it mature size in about a decade. Although this is a very hardy tree, when grown in a climate with cold winters, the roots can suffer cold-damage so make sure to winterize the container.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7Leaf color: Silvery blueLight: Full sun, partial shadeMature Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 5-6 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8Leaf color: Lime greenLight: Full sun, partial shadeMature Size: 6-8 ft. tall, 4-6 ft. wide

Unlike other holly varieties, the leaves of this variety do not have sharp points, which makes it especially suitable for a patio or a deck.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9Foliage color: Dark greenLight: Full sunMature Size: 6-8 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10Leaf color: GreenLight: Full sun, partial sunMature Size: 4-8 ft. tall and wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9Leaf color: Lime-green, red in the winterLight: Full sun, partial shadeMature Size: 2 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10Leaf color/flower color: White, purpleLight: Partial shade, shadeMature Size: 2–3 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8Flower color: Pale pink, purpleLight: Full sunMature Size: 3-6 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9Leaf color: BronzeLight: Full sun, partial shadeMature Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9Flower color: PurpleLight: Full sunMature Size: 2-5 ft. tall

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9Flower color: Pink, redLight: Full sunMature Size: 1.5-2 ft. tall and wide