Succulents are known for their resilience, but even these hardy plants need extra care as temperatures drop. If your succulents spend most of their time outdoors in pots, transitioning them for winter is essential to ensure they thrive. Here’s a step-by-step guide to prepare your outdoor potted succulents for the colder months.

1. Know Your Succulents’ Cold Tolerance

Not all succulents are created equal when it comes to surviving cold weather.

• Cold-hardy succulents like Sedum and Sempervivum can tolerate freezing temperatures.

• Tender succulents like Echeveria and Jade plants need more protection.

Research the specific varieties you have to determine their ideal winter care.

2. Bring Tender Succulents Indoors

For non-cold-hardy succulents:

• Check for pests before moving them inside. Examine leaves and soil for any bugs or eggs.

• Choose a bright location indoors, such as a south-facing window. Succulents need plenty of light, even in winter.

If you lack adequate sunlight, consider using grow lights to keep your plants healthy.

3. Prepare Cold-Hardy Succulents for Outdoor Wintering

For succulents that stay outside:

• Move pots to a sheltered spot like against a south-facing wall or under an overhang. This helps protect them from wind and excessive moisture.

• Elevate the pots to prevent water from pooling underneath, which can lead to root rot. Use pot risers or place the pots on a raised surface.

• Add mulch or insulation around the pots to protect the roots. Materials like straw, bark, or frost cloth can help retain warmth.

One thing I regularly do every year is use my outdoor dining table as a stand for my potted plants. Each plant goes on the table and I place one small aluminum table in the center to elevate the blanket and the plastic above the tallest plant. Once the plants are set, I drape the plastic and blanket over the entire table and hold them down to keep the cold air away from my plants.

I am guilty of not finding my clamps however I have boxes of covers that I’ve brought from storage for this process. I know I’ll find them soon to clamp the fabric around the end edge of the table to keep it from flying away during windy nights.

Did You Know That Some Agave are Succulents ?

I care for several Agave and researching where they fall can teach you that not all Agave are hardy because they are actually succulents. This is where we need to be aware of what plant we are protecting and whether it needs to come indoors or if it can stay outdoors.

This is the Agave Blue Glow.

It is a true Agave. It is cold hardy and can withstand low temperatures to 20°F uncovered for a few weeks unless you get frost or snow on it. It’s best to keep an eye on the lower leaf blades since they tend to show signs of freeze burn if they get too cold. To keep it pristine, it is best to do the work and cover it at night and uncover it every day.

I know it sounds like a lot of work but it’s worth it.

This is the Agave Blue Flame.

It is specified as an Agave however it is truly a succulent. This plant needs special care during cold fronts. I use tall bamboo vertically pushed into the soil around the plant to avoid putting weight on the foliage when covering it with a frost blanket. It does need you to remove the frost blanket during the day but you can drape and clip plastic over the bamboo sticks so they get enough light. It is best to keep these in pots and grow them on covered porches or patios where they won’t get snowfall on them.

Did you notice that while the two plants above are considered Agave, one is actually a succulent? Extensive research led me to this information and taught me that even Agave must be researched to make sure they are true Agave and not succulents. Many people don’t know this but now you do. Yay!

4. Adjust Your Watering Routine

Succulents enter a dormant phase in winter, requiring less water.

• Water sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry.

• Avoid watering if temperatures are below freezing, as wet soil can damage roots.

5. Protect Against Frost

For unexpected frosts:

• Use frost cloths or blankets to cover your succulents overnight. Remove these during the day to allow airflow and sunlight.

• Consider wrapping the pots with burlap or bubble wrap to insulate them further.

•Be vigilant of how much light and air they get. Darling plastic over your plants can suffocate them since there is no fresh air exchange. All plants need this throughout the year in order to survive. Whatever you choose to use when covering and protecting them, keep in mind that they need fresh air and light on a daily basis.

6. Prune and Clean Up

• Remove any dead leaves or debris to prevent pests and diseases.

• Lightly prune leggy growth, but avoid heavy pruning, as this can stress the plant before winter.

7. Monitor Temperature Changes

If you live in an area with fluctuating temperatures, stay alert for sudden cold snaps. Be prepared to move tender succulents indoors or provide extra protection for your outdoor plants.

Pots are Different from Hanging Baskets.

While prepping them is generally the same as flour pots, hanging baskets are a bit trickier. But fear not! I have the solution for you: If you have closet poles hanging in your garage, or a spare metal folding clothing rack, you can use these for your hanging pots. If you have quite a few hanging pots and they take up the entire rack but you have space below, you can purchase a spool of paracord and create loops that drape lower than the bottom of the top row of baskets and use those loops as an extended hanging point for other pots. Make sure you cut the paracord and tie it off with a tight knot so the baskets rely on that loop’s sole support. Don’t try to cut corners and loop the cord around the pole: each basket will require you to remove it if you need to check or treat it for pests and you don’t want the other baskets shifting or dropping. Don’t be that person. Make individual loops. When you hang your baskets on them, they will look like an “M” when alternately hung : One pot closer to the floor while the other is higher because it is hanging from the rod.

Tip: If you store your hanging baskets in the garage and choose to open the garage door, be mindful of birds. They LOVE looking for a high place to nest in the late Winter and early Spring during migration. They may use one of your hanging baskets in the garage and you’ll have to leave it out sooner and while you may still be in danger of frost.

If you’re wondering, yes, this happened to me.

Back to the rack: This is a space saver and allows you to roll the rack towards sunlit windows or use fewer grow light tripods to keep them healthy through the winter.

8. Transition Back in Spring

Once winter is over, gradually reintroduce succulents to the outdoors to avoid shock. Start with partial shade and slowly increase sunlight exposure over a few weeks.

I personally have 800+ Winter survivors. All are potted, in either floor pots or hanging baskets. Make the time to prepare early in the year and start doing the work before Winter hits. You’ll be thankful you did.

My Final Thoughts

With a little preparation, your outdoor potted succulents and hanging baskets can survive—and even thrive—during winter. Whether you bring them indoors or leave them outside, the key is to understand their needs and provide the right environment. By following these tips, your succulents will be ready to greet the warmer months looking as beautiful as ever.

So, Besties, do you have any tried-and-true tips for winter succulent care? Share them in the comments below!