Winter wraps the world in frost, but your garden doesn’t have to sleep through it. Imagine crisp mornings where you step outside to pluck fresh greens or watch hardy blooms defy the chill. That’s the magic of December plants. If you’re wondering what to plant in December, you’re in the right spot. This guide dives into winter gardening plants that thrive in cold snaps, from vibrant flowers to hearty veggies and even fruits that promise summer sweetness later. We’ll keep it simple, no jargon overload, just practical picks for your backyard, balcony, or windowsill. Ready to turn the coldest month into your greenest one? Let’s dig in.
Brighten Your Space with Best Flowers for December
Flowers bring joy when everything else looks bare. December flower planting focuses on tough beauties that handle frost like pros. These cold-weather plants add color without much fuss, perfect for pots or borders.
Start with pansies. These cheerful faces pop in shades of purple, yellow, and white. They shrug off light snow and bloom right through January if you mulch the soil lightly. Plant them in well-drained spots with morning sun; they reward you with non-stop petals.
Violas work the same magic but in smaller, daintier form. Think velvet blooms that cascade from hanging baskets. They’re easy December plants, germinating fast in cool soil.
For something medicinal and pretty, go with calendula, aka pot marigold. Its golden-orange heads light up gray days and draw pollinators even in winter. Sow seeds now for stems that reach a foot high; they self-seed like champs. Marigolds join the party too, their bold yellows and oranges guard against pests while lasting till spring. Pair them with veggies for a smart, companion twist.
Petunias round out the list. These trailing stars in pink, red, and white love a sunny windowsill or sheltered corner. Scatter seeds on moist soil, press gently, and watch them trail up to four feet by mild days.
These plants that bloom in winter aren’t just survivors, they make your garden feel alive. In fact, gardeners in cooler zones report up to 50% more pollinator visits from winter blooms like these.
Vegetables to Plant in December: Build Your Winter Vegetable Garden
Who says salads stop in snow? Vegetables to plant in December turn frosty air into an ally. These frost-resistant plants sweeten up as temps drop, delivering crunch and nutrition straight from the dirt.
Spinach tops the chart. It bolts less in cold, growing tender leaves packed with iron and vitamins. Sow in rows spaced six inches apart; harvest outer leaves for months of greens.
Kale follows close, its curly edges stand tall against wind, turning sweeter after a freeze. One plant yields enough for soups all season.
Carrots crave that chill for straight, flavorful roots. Plant seeds shallow in loose soil; thin to three inches for beauties up to eight inches long. Peas climb vigorously now, fixing nitrogen in the soil as bonus. Their pods burst with sweetness by early spring.
Don’t skip lettuce or arugula. These quick greens fill gaps in raised beds or containers. Mizuna adds a peppery kick, thriving in partial shade. And garlic? Cloves popped in now multiply into full heads by summer, nature’s easiest storage crop. Your winter vegetable garden could produce 20% more yield than spring starts, thanks to fewer pests and steady growth. It’s low-effort reward at its best.
Fruits to Plant in December: Sweet Promises for Next Year
Fruits might seem like summer’s domain, but December shines for starting orchards. Focus on bare-root stock, dormant trees and bushes that settle roots deep before buds break. These seasonal plants for December set up bountiful harvests down the line.
Apples lead the pack. Hardy varieties like ‘Discovery’ or ‘Gala’ plant easily in amended soil. Space them 10 feet apart; they fruit in two to three years. Pears echo that vibe, ‘Conference’ types resist fire blight and love moist, well-drained spots.
For quicker wins, try strawberries. Everbearing kinds like ‘Albion’ go in now for berries by June. Tuck runners into straw-mulched beds; one plant spreads to cover a square foot fast.
Blackberries and gooseberries add wild tang. Their thorny canes (or thornless ones) bear heavy crops if you support them against wind. In milder zones, even citrus like Meyer lemons overwinter in pots, offering year-round zing.
Planting fruits in December taps into root growth spurts, studies show 30% stronger establishment than spring digs. Patience pays off, one juicy bite at a time
December Herb Planting: Flavor Your Frosty Feasts
Herbs can still make your meals tasty even when fresh vegetables are harder to find. December is a great time to plant strong, hardy herbs that can survive cold weather, and a few soft herbs that grow well indoors. Parsley grows well in cool shade. Curly parsley looks pretty, while flat-leaf parsley is great for dishes like pesto. Plant it thickly, it can survive winter because it grows for two years.
Chives grow early and give you fresh green shoots that taste great with eggs or potatoes. They have a mild onion flavor and can survive very cold temperatures. Thyme is a low-growing herb with a strong smell that bees love. Creeping thyme spreads nicely over rocks and garden edges. You can pick its leaves anytime.
Rosemary grows like a small shrub with needle-like leaves. It survives light frost and adds a wonderful smell to roasted or grilled foods. Cilantro grows better in cool weather and won’t go to seed too quickly. If it does, you get coriander seeds as a bonus. Fennel forms sweet, crunchy bulbs and has feathery leaves that make great tea.
Mint grows rapidly in pots (it spreads a lot, so pots are best), and lemon balm gives a calming lemon scent. These winter-friendly herbs are perfect for garden borders or small home gardens. Growing your own herbs can also save money, many households cut their grocery bills by around 15% by using homegrown herbs. Snip, cook, and enjoy the savings!
Indoor December Plants: Green Up Your Home
Short winter days are perfect for growing indoor December plants. You can bring a small garden inside by keeping microgreens on shelves or growing herbs under grow lights. Lettuce grows well in trays near a sunny south-facing window, and spinach does too. A small calendula plant can brighten your coffee table, and chives in a sunny corner can grow all year. These ideas work well for apartments or homes with snowy backyards. Even one small windowsill hydroponic kit can give you enough fresh greens for two salads every week.
December Garden Ideas and Tips: Make It Yours
Plant easy December plants like violas along with vegetables to attract pollinators. If you have a balcony, use vertical planters to grow peas and herbs in a small space. Check your soil pH (keep it between 6.0 and 7.0), water deeply but not too often, and add a 2-inch layer of mulch to hold moisture. If you live in zone 6 or colder, choose very hardy plants. Warmer areas can even grow petunias outside.
Winter gardening isn’t about fighting the cold, it’s about working with it. December plants show how strong nature can be. Pick up some seeds this week, and by New Year’s you’ll see your garden thriving. What will you plant first? Share in the comments! Happy gardening!
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