What to Plant in December: A UK Guide

December is the quietest month in the garden. The days are at their shortest, the ground is often cold, wet or frozen, and most outdoor plants are resting until spring.

That doesn't mean there's nothing to plant. December is the perfect time to bring plants indoors, enjoy the winter flowers you planted in autumn, and plan what you'll plant as soon as the weather turns.

Here's what to plant in December in the UK, and what to look forward to.

Houseplants: The Best Thing to Plant in December

While the garden sleeps, houseplants can be added at any time of year, and December is a lovely time to bring some green into your home. A few of the easiest for winter:

• ZZ plants and snake plants: tough, striking, and happy in lower light. Let the compost dry out between waterings.
• Peace lilies: glossy leaves and white flowers, and they cope with lower light. Keep them in a warm room, above about 12°C.
• Pothos and philodendrons: easy trailing and climbing plants for shelves and hanging pots.
• Palms: parlour and areca palms bring a soft, feathery look. Keep them away from radiators and cold draughts.
• Rubber plants and Monstera: bold statement plants for a bright spot.

For more ideas, see our guides to the best houseplants for low light and houseplant care in winter.

Plants Make Lovely Gifts

A living plant is a gift that lasts long after the festive season. Houseplants, olive trees, Japanese maples and roses all make thoughtful presents for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. Browse our plant gifts for ideas.

Is It Too Late to Plant Outside?

For most garden plants, the best planting window was autumn, from September to November, while the soil was still warm. In December, the ground is usually too cold, wet or frozen for new roots to get going, so most outdoor planting is better left until spring.

If you have a mild, dry spell and the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged, hardy plants that were missed in autumn can still go in, but water them well, mulch around the roots, and keep an eye on them through any cold snaps. Anything tender is best kept under cover until spring.

Enjoy Your Winter Flowers

December is when the plants you put in during autumn really earn their keep. Look out for:

• Hellebores, which start flowering from December into spring.
• Winter pansies, which flower whenever the weather lifts.
• Cyclamen in sheltered pots. Move them into a porch in a hard frost.
• Winter jasmine, with bright yellow flowers on bare green stems from November to March.
• Viburnum tinus, an evergreen that flowers through winter.
• Dogwood, whose bright orange and red stems glow in low winter sun once the leaves have fallen.

Make a note of anything you'd like more of next winter, ready for autumn planting. Our guide to what to plant in November is a good place to start.

Plan for Spring

The short, dark days are the perfect time to plan the year ahead. As soon as the weather warms up, from late February and March, you can plant:

• Hellebores, which can be planted in February and March as well as autumn.
• Hardy shrubs, hedging, roses and trees, from March.
• Perennials, from March.
• Summer bedding, once the last frosts have passed in late spring.

Browse our trees and shrubs and evergreen shrubs for inspiration.

December Planting: Your Questions Answered

Can you plant anything outside in December?

Most outdoor planting is best done in autumn or spring. In a mild, dry spell, when the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged, you can still plant hardy shrubs and trees, but water them well and mulch the roots.

What can I plant indoors in December?

Houseplants can be added at any time of year. ZZ plants, snake plants, peace lilies and pothos are all easy choices for winter.

What flowers in the garden in December?

Hellebores, winter pansies, cyclamen, winter jasmine and Viburnum tinus all flower in December, and dogwood stems add colour once the leaves have fallen.

A Season to Rest and Plan

December is a time to enjoy the garden from the window, bring some green indoors, and dream about spring. For this month's jobs, see our December gardening checklist.

We pick every grower ourselves, and every plant is checked by hand before it's packed.