17 Things To Plant In December To Keep Your Garden Flourishing

Violas

One of the many striking plants to consider for winter color are violas. These plants, though they may look delicate and dainty are incredibly tough and tolerant of cold winter weather. Depending on where you live, you can either plant them in landscape beds or containers. They are hardy in zones 6 to 10 and will give you gorgeous blooms that will last you right through spring and beyond.

Winter Blooming Daffodils

Daffodils are essential spring flowers that can be easily forced into bloom in the winter. The winter-flowering daffodil species, otherwise known as ‘Paperwhite narcissus’ are surprisingly easy to grow and make for perfect December flowers. Either leave the potted bulbs outside with a thick layer of soil to cover and protect them, or stand them in a cool, dark, frost-free place indoors.

Apart from the paperwhites, the N.cantabricus, a relative of the hoop petticoat daffodils is also hardy enough to bloom in this season.

Amaryllis

The flowering amaryllis called ‘Hippeastrums’ are undemanding plants that are revered for their spectacular blooms. Bold colors are their hallmark with flower colors ranging from dramatic shades of crimson, and orange scarlet to neon pink. These “Dutch hybrids” also come in subtle colors of blush light pink and pure white.

Keep them in a pot indoors during the winter, If you plant them early in December, you should have a bulb and a flower bud by New Year’s Eve.

Snowdrops

The common snowdrop, a small bulbous perennial has always been widely popular across the country. These slender plants with long, delicate bell-shaped flowers are resolute even in bitter cold and frost and make a fine addition to any winter garden.

Plant these bulbs ‘in the green’ if you want to plant them as late as December or you can grow them indoors in containers. Set them in light to moderate shade and water periodically, when rainfall doesn’t do the job for you.

Begonia

For potfuls of color in the winter, Begonias are the perfect pick. This flamboyant showstopper comes in a great variety of colors and combinations.

Where winters are mild and frosts are rare, these plants that are commonly used as annuals can be left outside on their own. In other regions, they can grow as tender perennials, lasting well as long as they are comfortably positioned indoors with bright, indirect sunlight.

Lettuce

Salad leaves such as lettuce, watercress, kale, arugula, and romaine are perfect vegetables for container gardening in the winter. Sow the seeds thinly in a container or tray of potting soil and place them on a window sill which radiates warm light. Your leafy greens will be ready to harvest in just a few weeks after planting. If you want to plant lettuce outdoors, make sure you keep them in a hoop house or cold frame.

Salad greens like the lettuce crop can withstand light frost and can be used as soon as the seedlings are 5 to 6 inches tall. For continuous harvests of lettuce, sow small batches every few weeks.

Spring Onions

Spring onions or scallions are another excellent winter crop to grow in December. This vegetable grows best in containers at home. Sow them close if you want the leaves for their sharp flavor or space your seeds to make small bulbs. You should have a regular supply of scallions over the next few weeks.

Anemones

These graceful perennials are perfect for plants for December, although, in colder northern climates, they may not be able to survive the winter. Anemones are usually slow to establish, but once they have settled in, they spread quickly and widely.

Milkweed

Many species of garden-friendly Milkweed are great for growing in December. According to Morgan Cabana, owner of the Spruce Farm, “milkweed seeds need the cold stratification process of winter to germinate”. When you invite milkweed into your garden, you can expect the iconic monarch butterflies to follow.

Lisianthus

Lisianthus, commonly known as the prairie gentian, is a flowering plant that many gardeners and florists have fallen in love with, and it is easy to see why. The annual flower blooms of the lisianthus plant are absolutely showy and gorgeous.

Morgan Cabana of the Spruce Farm generally starts lisianthus indoors in December. Growing lisianthus can be tricky though. “The plant has a very long germination period and is super finicky”, she says. If you love a challenge and want to try growing the lisianthus from seed this December, plant them early to give it plenty of time to put on growth.

Tulips

Although typically planted in the fall, it is not uncommon to find tulip bulbs sprouting even in the winter (as long as the temperatures are not too extreme). Tulip bulbs are built to survive the cold and the snow.

If you want to plant tulip bulbs in December, clear away any snow and place them on the top of the soil. If you are planting them in the peak stage of winter, you also want to add a thick layer of mulch or compost. Alternatively, you can keep them in pots in a cool, unheated room.

Carrots and Radishes

Winter vegetables such as carrots and radishes are other favorites for container gardening and can be sown from late winter until mid-autumn.

Most root crops such as carrots and radishes generally require greater depth than you can provide indoors. However, round or globe varieties of the carrot and radish do not root very deeply and are container-friendly. Depending on the variety, your winter crop should be ready for harvest within 60-80 days after sowing the seeds.

Indoor Herbs

Herbs are both useful and attractive and there are several types you can grow in December. Cilantro, parsley, chives, fennel, and thyme are some of the herbs that can thrive in cool weather. Stand several pots of your favorites on a sunny windowsill and you will always have enough for your culinary dishes,

Poinsettias

No list of winter’s most colorful plants can ever be complete without Poinsettias. Colorful bracts of poinsettias are just the kind of eye-catching display you need on gray winter days. Most modern poinsettias can thrive indoors in containers during the winter. You want to make sure you don’t plant them in very deep containers though as they need light and air to reach all their stems and leaves.

Dwarf Beans

Dwarf French beans are another outstanding winter crop to grow in December. They do well indoors and can be sown from late winter onwards. If you enjoy container gardening, the dwarf fava beans and dwarf runner beans are good crops to consider too. Make sure you pick the pods while they are still young, tender, and juicy.

Winter Berries

Berry shrubs are great plants to consider for some winter color. Beautyberry, Wax myrtle, Yaupon holly, and Coral honeysuckle are some of the berry plants that can persist through the winter. Planting winter berries will not only enhance your landscape, it will also ensure that you have plenty of material on hand for your holiday decor and wreaths.

Calamondin Orange

The vibrant orange-yellow calamondin orange plant is hardy to 20 degrees F and will happily grow indoors in December. Just make sure you give the plant good winter light, a citrus fertilizer, and soft water to keep it in good health.

The plant produces year-round fruit and white fragrant blossoms.