skip to main content

Spearmint-can I overwinter in pot outside?

13 years ago

I just found out how much I LOVE spearmint in my ice water. I was given a big pot of it by a friend who grows it outside (apparently she doesn't care that it spreads everywhere!) I would like to overwinter it here in zone 5a. Could I keep it in a pot on my deck (lots of snowcover), or would it not survive? I don't know where else I could grow it without worrying about it invading all of my other gardens.

Thanks.

:0) Phyl

Comments (6)

maifleur01
13 years ago
How big a pot? I have some on my patio in 10 gallon pots that do fairly well but balconies get a lot of wind.
phylrae
Original Author
13 years ago
I haven't "planted" it in anything yet....I was just trying to figure out what to do with it so that it would be perennial in my zone without having it spread all over my gardens. If there is a way of containing it out in a garden, that would be fine, but sounds too invasive!
I just know that last year we planted a buddlea in a metal cow trough. It was supposed to survive zone 5a, but it died. I read later that putting things in containers makes them LESS hardy (better in the ground!).
Maybe I should keep a pot in the unheated garage over the winter & just water it once in awhile, like I do my agastache?):0) Phyl
Related Discussions
When can I put overwintered pots back outside
Q
Comments (1)
Containers of hardy plants generally do not require much in the way of special protection over the winter in a zone as mild as 7. There are some exceptions - plants which may prefer very dry soil conditions might fair better if protected from the worst of the rains, etc. But clematis, hostas and other hardy perennials, trees and shrubs can be left out through the winter in a zone 7, provided the container is of sufficient size. If your garage is unheated, then the plants can go back outside now. No need to to do this gradually unless the garage temps have been consistantly above 50F. If a sharp frost or sudden cold spell is predicted, then cover the pots at night. Grouping them together will also afford some additional protection. My nursery is located in a zone 7b and operates all year long. Containerized hardy plants are left outside all year as well, including those as small as gallon sized perennials and 4" groundcovers. Winter damage is minimal and is usually associated with too much wet/too moisture retentive a container soil rather than cold damage. Wholesalers in the area also grow their containerized crops outdoors all winter as well.
...See More
Will potted clems overwinter outside here?
Q
Comments (2)
Nancy, as far as hardiness goes, the clematis should be fine. The large sized trash cans (which I hope have drainage holes--must have since the plants have been doing fine so far) should provide plenty of soil mass for allowing them to make it through the winter alive. During extremely cold winters, you might get dieback on some or all of the top mature vines which might delay their bloom period the following spring but that shouldn't be a problem in your zone. If you mean by chocolate vine, that you have akebia planted in the same trash cans with the clematis, I would promptly remove the akebia. They can get quite large and their root systems will occupy most of the trash can eventually. Not a good thing for the clematis. If you don't mean akebia, could you give more information on what the chocolate vine is?
...See More
Can I grow Spearmint in a 6 inch pot?
Q
Comments (8)
Yes, but only for a VERY short time! Spearmint has a very aggressive root system which grows at a rate of knots and will fill up a small pot before you can blink. Even in much larger pots, you'll need to repot frequently to avoid the plant becoming root-bound. However, if you're prepared to divide and repot a small piece of the plant on a regular basis, you can keep a piece of it in a small pot. Hardly worth the bother for the amount of leaves you'd get for your efforts, though.
...See More
Can I overwinter potted iris in the house?
Q
Comments (3)
Here in northern Illinois, I've overwintered clumps of iris, no dirt or any protection in the garage... the clump of rhyzomes was just laying on top of some large containers I brought inside and forgot about them! I had dug them out and cleaned them up to give away but soon forgot about them when I couldn't find them. That spring when I discovered the iris in the cold unheated garage, I was surprised to see them alive! They had green leaves and did great even thought I planted them late spring, a few still bloomed. -Maria-
...See More
fatamorgana2121
13 years ago
I would suspect it would survive potted but I would not keep the pot on an elevated surface like a deck. It will be colder there. Locate it on the ground near your house - but not completely under the eves. You want it to get some water throughout the winter.

FataMorgana
sconnielill
13 years ago
Keep it in a south facing location, protected a bit from the wind and you'll be fine. You could use pine branches to give it a bit of extra wind-break/insulation. The other option is to get a bottomless bucket or pot and sink that into the ground. It'll stop the runners so it won't be so invasive.
nygardener
13 years ago
Mine came back this year, but on my "balcony" (fire escape) in New York City it never did. I think it has a better chance in a large planter than in a smaller pot.
fatamorgana2121
13 years ago
Elevated places are colder than on the ground. Look at the ground and a deck or balcony when snow is falling. It usually melts more rapidly on the ground than the deck/balcony. The ground holds and radiates heat unlike the chilly exposed decks and balconies. Locate your pots somewhere where they can take advantage of Mother Earth's warmth.

FataMorgana

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

SPRING GARDENING How to Grow a Rose Garden in Pots

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Everything can come up roses, even without a plot of soil in sight. This step-by-step guide to growing roses in containers shows you how

FALL GARDENING 5 Fall Fruits You Can Grow in Containers

Brighten your porch or patio with a potted pomegranate, kumquat, blueberry bush or another great fall fruit

WINTER GARDENING Winter Gardening: Ideas for a Dream Potting Room

By Becky Harris

Check out potting rooms that get indoor gardening right — and learn tips for creating your own

CONTAINER GARDENS Yes, You Can Grow a Plant In That

By Jess McBride

You can upcycle your old typewriter, paint cans, tires and many more things into places for your plants

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants

Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help

KITCHEN DESIGN The Cure for Houzz Envy: Kitchen Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Take your kitchen up a notch even if it will never reach top-of-the-line, with these cheap and easy decorating ideas

LIFE We Can Work It Out: Living (and Cleaning) Together

By Alison Hodgson

Run a household without fussing and fighting with these ideas for how to work together on household chores

HOUSEKEEPING 10 Chores You Can Whip Through During Commercials

By Becky Harris

Use ad time for getting tasks done, and it’s like fast-forwarding your house into cleanliness

OUTBUILDINGS 12 Fun Backyard Forts Grown-Ups Can Love, Too

By Becky Harris

Kids might use them for secret meetings, but the word is out on these tree houses and playhouses that consider adult design tastes

HOUSEPLANTS 8 Houseplants You Can't Kill

By J. Peterson Garden Design

They're forgiving and let you forget. Houseplants don't get any easier than this

Sponsored

Landscape Management Group

27 Reviews

High Quality Landscaping Services in Columbus

More Discussions

list the problems with my pineapple sage

6

Mystery herb / plant

14

Cistus Incanus and Hormones

0

Herb Marigold 'Dropshot', a nice texture in the landscape.

21

Perennial Rosemary in zone 7a?

10