Despite all odds, winter is arguably the most important season to think about your garden. During this time, details, such as planters, that might fade into the background in summer become much more noticeable – something George and Amal Clooney know well.
At their estate on the shores of Lake Como, large terracotta planters (much like these from Target) bring warmth to the lakeside terrace, even when the surrounding landscape is at its barest. They likely remain part of the terrace year-round, giving the space shape when there is less greenery around it.
Terracotta decor can be tricky in cold weather, but the problem isn't necessarily the material itself. According to Robert Aumann, a luxury real estate advisor and founding partner of La Jolla Life, it often comes down to the clay's quality.
'Terracotta's reputation as a fragile winter material comes almost entirely from people buying the wrong clay,' Robert says.
'What George and Amal are using looks like high-fired, frost-resistant terracotta, the kind that's kiln-fired at much higher temperatures than the inexpensive garden center pots. Italian Impruneta clay is the benchmark here. It's dense, low in porosity, and traditionally sold with a guarantee against frost damage.'
Shop the Terracotta Fall Garden Edit
Gracie Oaks Nathali Distressed Gray Vase
This weathered terracotta vase brings a little of George's garden style to the porch. Its aged finish gives fall arrangements a Mediterranean feel, while the simple shape works just as well indoors once the season changes.
Storied Home Terracotta Urn Jar
If you love the look of George and Amal's weathered garden pots, this urn is an easy way to get it without the wait. Its whitewashed finish gives the terracotta an aged look that would sit beautifully among fall plants on a patio.
Artisan Hand Painted Terracotta Planter
These hand-painted terracotta planters would bring a collected feel to a winter porch or patio. The subtle pattern adds interest around the front door without taking away from the plants or seasonal display.
For a lighter take on the terracotta look, this planter has a sun-bleached white finish that brings a coastal feel to the patio. The classic clay construction makes it a practical home for plants through fall and winter.
As George shows us, sometimes a simple terracotta planter is all you need. This classic design brings the warm, earthy look of his garden and works especially well for fall/winter planting as the seasons change.
Made from natural clay with a glaze designed to withstand the elements, this planter can stay outside as the seasons change. It would work just as well indoors too, especially with a leafy houseplant or autumn arrangement.
As Robert explains, more porous terracotta can absorb water. When that water freezes, it expands and presses on the clay, which can eventually crack or flake the pot.
'The failure mechanism is simple,' he explains. 'Porous clay absorbs water, the water freezes, expands roughly nine percent, and the pot cracks or flakes from the inside out. A soft pot can lose its glazed outer skin in a single hard winter. So the real question isn't whether terracotta survives cold; it's whether your pot ever gets saturated in the first place.'
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Keeping water away from the pot is therefore one of the most important things to consider. Robert recommends raising pots slightly off the ground with pot feet or risers so they don't sit in water after heavy rain. Drainage through the base is also important, particularly for larger planters holding a lot of soil.
The pot's shape matters, too. Robert recommends thick-walled, straight-sided or gently flared vessels for colder climates. Pots that narrow sharply toward the top can leave frozen soil with less room to expand, increasing pressure on the container walls.
These details are easy to overlook when considering container gardening ideas, but they matter most if it will stay outside all winter. A good pot should withstand the weather while complementing the garden.
At George and Amal's home, the terracotta planters work particularly well because they don't rely on summer planting to make an impact. Their warm, earthy color stands out against the lake and mountains' cooler tones, while their size gives the terrace definition when the surrounding planting is less full.
Instead of treating winter gardening ideas as less important, focus on pieces that will still look good when everything else has died back. A substantial terracotta planter is one of them, particularly when it is made from frost-resistant clay and given the right drainage.