image of hypertufa in snow

What About Hypertufa In Winter? Can These Pots Survive Snow & Ice?

Where will I put my hypertufa in winter?

My hypertufa will stay outside all winter. Out in the open….and out in the snow and ice. That’s where you’ll find my hypertufa in winter.  When I started making hypertufa, I wanted it to replace some concrete planters that were crumbling and breaking apart. Concrete or cement pots don’t do well in the freeze/thaw cycle, but hypertufa in winter cold does very well.

Where does Hypertufa go in Winter - The Hypertufa Gardener

That is really what hypertufa is designed to do. Hypertufa survives the weather in winter here in Ohio in zone 6. We have pretty cold winters and I feel that mine do best when they are left outside in the snow and ice. Located out in the weather, hypertufa gets a little watering from the snow or ice, but also is protected somewhat by the actual blanket of snow.

I feel the snow insulates hypertufa and the plants grown inside against harsh winds.

image of hypertufa in snow

A couple winters ago, I carried most of the hypertufa pots up under my covered deck to protect them from the wetness of winter. On some websites on the internet, I read about gardeners bringing them under cover to protect them. That made me question myself. Was I doing it right? What was best for my plants?

So I went to  the trouble to carry them up and put them under the deck roof for protection. Some of mine were left in the weather because I ran out of room and/or because it became too awkward to get them on the deck. (Some of them are really large!)

But, as it turned out, the hypertufa left out did so much better than the ones I carried to the deck. Almost everything survived, but the succulents in the hypertufa planters left openly out in the weather were in better shape.

So I won’t be bringing everything under the deck again this winter. I am making sure to arrange everything on the sunnier rock garden side of the house.  I am also leaving many out on the lower end of the deck which is not covered. The only thing I am being cautious about it putting them “raised” so that there would be no danger of puddling. Leaving a planter sitting in frozen water during those long sleeting rains means death for the plants inside it.

Where do I put my Hypertufa in winter -The Hypertufa Gardener

I have a large new-to-me potting bench/shelf. A neighbor was getting rid of it, but I wanted it so that I could have my some of hypertufa bowls and troughs and various planters sitting on this for good drainage. I like it but will be painting it, probably brown, so it will blend with the rest of the garden. I think it will be a wonderful addition.

Here in Ohio, we have been having some cold and icy weather, almost a tease of warmth for what will be beginning soon. I loved those milder sunny days and the beautiful blue skies a few short weeks ago. Those days were perfect for campfires and hot dogs roasting, marshmallows, s’mores…that is the best part of outdoors.

This one will take over Weed in hypertufa pots

Be sure to check all your planters for weeds. We don’t want them getting all cozy and spending the winter in our hypertufa pots. Get rid of them now and when new growth starts in the spring there won’t be so much competition for the little hens and chicks as they increase the little families.   Get out those needle nose pliers!

How are you preparing and enduring for winter? Do you have a lot of planters that need to be moved?

Be sure to visit our Facebook Group, The Hypertufa Gardener Group. I would love to see pictures of your hypertufa!

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6 Comments

  1. I have never heard of hypertufa until now. I will definitely have to study your blog to learn all about it. I live it Florida and sometimes the temps get low enough to cover some shrubs with a sheet but lately not as much.

    1. It would be great to not have cold weather ( the kind I get.) I am not a snow person so Florida would work for me. But I stay here where my kids are!

  2. Hi Kim,

    This is all such great advice. I have a couple that I have bought and had left them outside during the winter (also zone 6). They have been ok. I made a few new ones this year and I’m glad I found this article because it is re-assuring and I love the part about raising them up and weeding them before winter.

    1. Hi Patti, We are having some wonderful weather here in Ohio and I am working to make sure my hypertufa planters are all ready for winter. It is such great weather for this time of year. It is usually a mess at Halloween. And now you’ve given me an idea for breakfast!

  3. Karen Schneider says:

    I do not have any as of yet but can’t wait to make some for my self I am having trouble finding I mold to use for a planter.

    1. I started out just using old dishpans or large salad bowls. Most I pick up at garage sales for 50¢ or less.

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