Cracking Up? Why Winter Is Breaking Your Pots – And How the 'Biggie' Can Help

Brrr-itain has entered a big freeze, and it's not just your fingers and toes feeling it. For many of us, 2026 has started with ice, snow, and frost, with weather warnings across the UK – spring feels a long way off. If you've ventured out to check on your garden lately, you might have noticed a distressing scene: your trusty terracotta pots looking like they lost a bar fight with Jack Frost. One day they're fine; the next, you're picking up pieces. What gives? And more importantly, what can you do about it?

Don't worry – grab a cuppa, and let's have a laugh (and a think) about why this winter is literally cracking up your pots – and why Bigplantpots' weather-resistant 'Biggie' planter might just be the hero your garden needs.

WHY TERRACOTTA POTS CRACK UNDER PRESSURE (LITERALLY)

Anyone who's used terracotta pots knows they're as classic as a cup of English tea – and about as fragile when frozen. Terracotta is a porous material, meaning it soaks up water like a sponge. When temperatures drop, that water turns to ice and expands. Crack! Your pot shatters like a dropped trifle. It's the same science experiment as leaving a water bottle in the freezer – just a lot less refreshing. The expanding ice pushes against the pot's walls, eventually cracking or breaking them. In plain terms: terracotta + ice = pottery puzzle pieces. (Even so-called "frost-proof" pots only delay the inevitable – basic physics always wins.)

Thin plastic pots aren't much better. Sure, they're lightweight and cheap, but winter exposes their not-so-secret weakness: brittleness. Many are made from injection-moulded plastics – typically rigid LDPE or polypropylene – which can turn as brittle as a biscuit in the cold. Fill one with moist soil, let it freeze, and you might walk out to find your pot split down the side (about as fun as splitting your trousers in public). Even resin planters can crack open in a hard freeze. Why? Cold makes some plastics shrink and fracture, and years of UV damage from sunlight only makes them weaker. In short: traditional thin-walled pots don't stand a chance in a serious UK cold snap. They either crack and split (terracotta) or go brittle and break (plastic). Not exactly the hardy overwintering companions you need.

MEET THE 'BIGGIE': BUILT TO SURVIVE THE BIG FREEZE

Enter the Biggie planter – Bigplantpots' answer to the winter pot catastrophe. If terracotta is the delicate snowflake of the pot world, think of Biggie as the polar bear.

Biggie is rotationally molded from MDPE (Medium-Density Polyethylene), formed in one solid, seamless piece of super-tough plastic. No joints, no weak points – the Biggie is a chunky, continuous beast of a pot. Why does that matter? No seams mean nothing for freeze-thaw cycles to pry apart. The thick MDPE walls are slightly flexible and impact-resistant, not rigid and brittle like thinner plastics.

Rotational molding eliminates the internal stress lines that make injection-molded plastic pots prone to cracking. The result? A planter that laughs in the face of Jack Frost.

Let's break down the materials in plain English:

• Terracotta: Basically baked mud. Looks lovely. Performs like a chocolate teapot in winter. Soaks up water and cracks when it freezes. Drop it and it'll shatter faster than your New Year's resolutions.
• Injection-Molded Plastic (cheap garden centre pots): Made quickly with thin walls. Stress cracks are common. UV rays from the sun make them brittle. One hard frost and they're plastic confetti.
• Bigplantpots "Biggie" (Rotationally Molded MDPE): Built like a tank, but for gardens. Thick walls. No seams. UV-stabilised. Frost-resistant. Smudge-resistant. Smash-proof. Even toddler-proof. It's the same kind of plastic used in rugged water tanks and wheelie bins.

In short: the Biggie is a winter warrior. While other pots crumble under pressure, Biggie shrugs off the cold. Your plants get a roomy, safe haven for their roots – and you get peace of mind (and fewer pottery shards to sweep up).

A SIDE-BY-SIDE WINTER SHOWDOWN (SEEING IS BELIEVING)

Above: Left – a traditional terracotta planter that fell victim to winter, cracking under an ornamental tree. Right – the same tree after upgrading to a Biggie planter, now safe and sound in a durable MDPE pot.

The terracotta couldn't handle the freeze-thaw cycle (note the missing chunk and cracks), whereas the Biggie is fully intact, braving the elements like nothing happened. It's a night-and-day difference. One looks like it tangled with a frost giant and lost; the other stands tall and unfazed.

This isn't just garden vanity – it's plant protection. Landscapers and gardeners across the UK are finding that Biggie planters come through extreme cold without a scratch, while older pots… don't.

TOP TIPS TO WINTER-PROOF YOUR PLANTING (STRAIGHT FROM THE BIGGIE GUIDE)

You've got your Biggie – nice move. Now give your plants the best chance with these frost-fighting tips from the Bigplantpots team:

• Drill Drainage Holes: The Biggie comes solid-bottomed, so drill four holes in the base. It's easy – MDPE is tough, but drills like butter. Good drainage is essential to prevent frozen root blocks.
• Gravel Layer for Drainage: Mix in gravel (especially at the base) with compost. We use three large bags of 10mm gravel per Biggie in our guide. Improves drainage and adds weight – handy for stormy winds.
• Cover Holes with Mesh: Lay some weed membrane or mesh over the holes before adding soil. Stops compost washing out. Smart, simple, and effective during soggy UK winters.
• Don't Bury the Stem: Keep the trunk's base at or slightly above soil level. Prevents rot and helps the plant deal with temperature swings.
• Raise or Wrap (If Needed): Biggies are solid, but if you live somewhere seriously cold, elevate them slightly or wrap them with burlap. Belt and braces – but usually not necessary thanks to those thick walls.

You'll have done everything short of knitting your olive tree a Christmas jumper – but thankfully, the Biggie means you don't need to.

GO BIG(GIE) OR GO HOME – FINAL THOUGHTS (AND YOUR NEXT STEP)

Here's the reality: how many pots have you replaced over the years? One frost too many, and they're toast. If you're a landscaper, you know the pain of explaining cracked planters to clients. With the Biggie, it's a one-and-done investment – built for brutal British winters and many seasons beyond.

Ready to say goodbye to cracked pots and hello to long-term peace of mind?

Check out the Biggie planter on our website. Your plants will thank you. You'll thank yourself the next time it dips below freezing and your planters are still standing tall. No more cold mornings spent picking up shards. Just you, a hot brew, and a winter-proof garden.

Stay warm, stay punny, and happy gardening – even in a cold snap.

Here's to no more cracking up in your garden. (Well… unless it's from your neighbours laughing at your excellent plant pot puns.)

— The Bigplantpots Team