How Do You Take Care of Fibreglass Planters in The Winter?

Fibreglass planters have been a common sight in gardens and outdoor spaces since the late 20th century. Their incredible durability makes them the perfect choice for keeping plants at their best year-round.

Still, like anything, a little maintenance never hurts, especially in the winter. Learn some of the best winter care tips for fibreglass planters and get answers to a few key questions below.

Make sure to browse our collection of high-quality fibreglass planters, or for more information, just give us a call on 0121 824 5700.

How to Protect Fibreglass Planters in Winter

Cleaning and Preparation:

Regular cleaning is a great first step for protecting your planters. It helps to remove any excess dirt or contaminants from the surface. By regular, we only mean once every few months at most – fibreglass will happily withstand almost anything the weather throws at it.

Cleaning your planters:

• Prepare a solution – prepare a gentle cleaning solution, using mostly water with a dash of vinegar or mild soap.
• Gently wipe – using a soft cloth or sponge, gently wipe your planters down.
• Rinse – finally, to remove any residue, rinse your planters with clean water and leave to dry.

Water Drainage:

Poor drainage in your fibreglass planters can lead to water accumulation in the bottom. Not only is this bad for your plants, but it can also damage your planter over time. When that water freezes in winter, it will expand, pushing on the sides of your planter. Fibreglass planters are one of the most frost-resistant options available, but healthy drainage is so easy to maintain, it’s not worth taking the risk.

Some drainage tips:

• Elevation – lifting your pots off the ground slightly can break surface tension and allow water to flow out of your planters more easily.
• Gravel – lining the bottom of your planter with a layer of gravel can encourage healthy drainage.
• Drainage holes – make sure you buy your outdoor planters with holes in the bottom for drainage – we provide this option at checkout so our planters can be used indoors or outside.

Elevating Planters:

As we just mentioned, elevating your planters is great for drainage, but it also has a few other benefits.

• Improved air flow
• Protection from staining
• Easier maintenance
• Removes direct contact with cold ground

Protective Coatings:

A fantastic way to extend the lifespan of your fibreglass outdoor planters is by adding a protective coating. This is easy to do, just follow these steps:

• Clean the planter – ensure you remove all dirt and debris following the steps above.
• Sand the surface (only if needed) – this will create a surface the new coating can adhere to.
• Choose the right coating – ensure you select a protective coating that is suitable for outdoor use. Marine grade waxes are often recommended for fibreglass planters.
• Apply the coating – use a brush or spray gun to apply the coating evenly across the planter.
• Additional coats (If necessary) – for the best protection and the smoothest finish, you may need to apply additional coats.

Storage and Insulation:

If you’re concerned about your planters or the plants living in them, you can always choose to bring them inside during the winter.

Winter storage tips for fibreglass planters:

• Consider drainage – don’t forget to place something underneath your planters to catch water.
• Don’t overheat – make sure that your planters don’t get too warm inside – the planter will be fine, but you may damage the plant inside.
• Remember to water – once inside, your plant will be dependent on you for its water – don’t neglect it!

Alternatively, if you can’t bring them inside, try wrapping the planters and possibly the plants themselves (depending on the plant) to protect them from the worst of the weather.

How to insulate outdoor planters for winter – tips:

• Wrap the pot in an insulating material like burlap, a horticultural blanket or even bubble wrap.
• Add mulch or gravel to the top of the soil to insulate it.
• Consider moving your planter to a more sheltered location, such as against a wall or to a sunnier spot.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Keeping your planters and plants in top condition requires regular monitoring and maintenance.

• Inspect planters for signs of stress or cracking – if you see signs of either, it could be caused by frost in the soil or root growth. Consider insulating your planter or repotting the plant.
• Monitor your plant’s health – ensure it’s regularly watered and watch out for wilting or pests.
• Keep the finish fresh – if the finish on your planters starts to show signs of ageing, it’s time to apply a protective coating. Follow the steps above for this.

How to Protect Fibreglass Planters in Winter – FAQs