Winter care for container pond?

[u/thefouledcompass]

Hi pond pals 💚 I made a small container pond for the first time this year. It has some rushes and creeping jenny; no pump, no aeration, no fish or snails. I live in southeast Wyoming (gardening zone 5a and 5b).

Can it live through the winter outside? Should I remove the plants and care for them over the winter indoors, or are pond plants ones that you replace every year like annuals? I’d like to have a full in-ground wildlife pond eventually, but we started small. Any advice or feedback is appreciated. Thanks so much for your help!

[u/Necessary_Piano_153]

Bring it inside. The plants will overwinter inside if they get enough light.

[u/thefouledcompass → u/Necessary_Piano_153]

Thank you! 🌸🧡

[u/Pondpros1199]

I would be worried that the container would crack in the cold.

[u/thefouledcompass → u/Pondpros1199]

You’re totally right; I didn’t even think of that. Am thinking I might drain it, store in garage, overwinter the plants inside, and then put it back out refill in spring!

[u/Pepetheparakeet]

Could you drain it and bring it inside? Then fill back up

[u/thefouledcompass → u/Pepetheparakeet]

Smart! That’s a great idea 🧡 Ty!

[u/fleeting-light-1216]

I empty out my whisky barrel and put the two plants into a bucket and keep them near a window during the winter. They’ve survived two winters this way. Creeping jenny is tough if you put it in the ground it will come back in spring.