what to cover outside plants with

Protect Your Plants: Best Outdoor Cover Options

By Amanda LewisMarch 5, 2026

When it comes to protecting and enhancing the growth of your outdoor plants, covering them appropriately is a crucial step. The right covering not only safeguards your plants from harsh weather conditions but also encourages healthy growth. Here, we'll explore various materials and methods to cover your outdoor plants effectively.

Before delving into the specifics, it's essential to understand why covering outdoor plants is necessary. Extreme temperatures, heavy rain, strong winds, and excessive sunlight can all pose threats to your plants' health and growth. By providing adequate cover, you can create a more hospitable environment for your plants to thrive.

Natural Materials for Plant Cover

Nature provides an abundance of materials that can be used to cover and protect your outdoor plants. These materials are not only eco-friendly but also blend seamlessly with your garden's aesthetic.

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One popular natural material is burlap. Made from jute fibers, burlap allows air and water to pass through while providing shade and protection. It's an excellent choice for young plants or those sensitive to direct sunlight. To use burlap, simply wrap it around the plant or secure it to a support structure using garden twine.

Burlap

Burlap is a versatile material that can be used in various ways to protect your plants. For instance, you can create a simple burlap tent by securing the material to stakes driven into the ground around your plant. This provides shade and protection from wind and rain.

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Another creative use of burlap is to create plant covers using old potato sacks or burlap bags. Cut the bottom off the bag, place it over the plant, and secure it with garden stakes or twine. This method is particularly useful for protecting young plants or seedlings.

Straw and Hay

Straw and hay make excellent mulch and can also be used to cover plants. They provide insulation, helping to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture. To use straw or hay as a plant cover, spread a thick layer around the base of your plants, ensuring it doesn't touch the stems to prevent rot.

For taller plants or those requiring more protection, you can create a barrier using straw bales. Stack the bales around the plant, leaving an opening for access. This method provides excellent insulation and protection from wind and rain.

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Synthetic Materials for Plant Cover

Synthetic materials offer durability and ease of use, making them popular choices for plant protection. While they may not be as environmentally friendly as natural materials, they can still provide effective coverage.

One common synthetic material is plastic sheeting. Lightweight and easy to manipulate, plastic sheeting can be used to create makeshift greenhouses or to wrap individual plants. However, it's essential to ensure the plant has adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.

Plastic Sheeting

To create a makeshift greenhouse using plastic sheeting, secure the material to a frame made from PVC pipes or wooden stakes. Ensure the structure is tall enough to accommodate your plants' growth and leave enough space for air circulation.

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Plant - Stop buying bags of mulch. Plant one of these groundcovers instead and you'll have permanent weed control that actually improves over time... There's a reason professional landscapers use groundcovers in places they never want to maintain. Once these plants establish, they self-perpetuate. They spread, they thicken, they shade out competition. You're not just solving this year's weed problem. You're solving next year's and the year after that. Many learn this the hard way trying to maintain large garden beds without help. Mulch seemed like the answer until they realize they were reapplying it every spring, pulling weeds through it all summer, and watching it wash away in heavy rain. Groundcovers changed everything. They stay put. They multiply. They get better with age instead of breaking down. Creeping Phlox is the perfect example. You plant it once in a sunny spot, and it gives you spectacular spring flowers. But more importantly, that dense foliage stays thick all season. New weeds can't push through. Existing weeds get smothered. And every year, the phlox spreads further. For moisture-loving areas where weeds thrive, Creeping Jenny is nearly unstoppable. That bright chartreuse foliage roots at every node, creating an interconnected network that nothing can penetrate. I've used it to fill wet spots where regular mulch would just float away. Problem solved permanently. Deep shade used to mean constant battle with creeping weeds and exposed soil. Then I started using Hostas as groundcover instead of specimens. Plant them close enough that those big leaves overlap. The soil underneath stays dark and cool. Weed seeds don't germinate. The ones that try get shaded out immediately. Here's what makes groundcovers superior to mulch. Mulch is passive. It sits there doing nothing while weeds probe for weak spots. Groundcovers are active. They grow. They spread. They fill gaps automatically. Every runner that roots down is another square foot you'll never weed again. The setup requires effort. Clear the area completely. Plant closer than the tag recommends. Water consistently that first season. But once they connect and fill in, you're done. That spot maintains itself. You've converted a maintenance problem into a maintenance-free zone. Have you tried using groundcovers for weed control, or are you still fighting with traditional mulch? [snbWv] | Facebook

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For wrapping individual plants, cut a piece of plastic sheeting large enough to cover the plant and secure it with garden tape. Make sure to leave the top open for ventilation and remove the covering during the day to prevent overheating.

Fleece Covers

Fleece covers are designed specifically for plant protection. They allow light and air to pass through while providing insulation and protection from wind and rain. Fleece covers come in various sizes and can be secured around the plant using ties or elastic bands.

Fleece covers are particularly useful for protecting plants from frost. They can be left on the plant throughout the night and removed during the day to prevent overheating. Some fleece covers are also designed to protect against pests, providing an additional layer of protection.

DIY Plant Cages and Structures

Creating your own plant cages and structures can provide a more permanent solution for plant protection. These structures can be made from various materials and customized to suit your plants' needs.

One simple DIY plant cage can be made using chicken wire or hardware cloth. Cut the material into a cylindrical shape, large enough to fit around your plant, and secure it with wire ties. This creates a protective barrier that allows air and light to pass through while keeping out pests and providing support for the plant.

Chicken Wire Cages

To create a chicken wire cage, follow these steps: measure the height and width of your plant, cut the chicken wire into a cylindrical shape, secure the edges with wire ties, and place the cage around the plant. Ensure the cage is tall enough to accommodate the plant's growth and wide enough to allow for air circulation.

For taller plants or those requiring more support, you can create a more robust structure using PVC pipes or wooden stakes. Cut the material into sections, assemble them into a cage shape, and secure the joints with screws or glue. This method provides excellent support and protection for your plants.

PVC Pipe Cages

To create a PVC pipe cage, measure and cut the pipes into sections, assemble them into a cage shape, and secure the joints with PVC cement or screws. Ensure the cage is tall enough to accommodate the plant's growth and wide enough to allow for air circulation.

For a more aesthetically pleasing DIY structure, you can create a plant cage using willow branches or bamboo stakes. Weave the branches together to form a cage shape, securing the joints with garden twine. This method provides a natural-looking structure that blends seamlessly with your garden's aesthetic.

In the world of gardening, there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to covering outdoor plants. The best approach depends on your plants' specific needs, the climate in your area, and the aesthetic you want to achieve. By exploring the various materials and methods discussed here, you can create a tailored solution that protects and enhances the growth of your outdoor plants. So, go ahead, get creative, and watch your garden thrive!