• The wintergreen poinsettia makes an excellent potted plant.Tooga/Dynamic Graphics Group/Getty Images
  
  Also known as evergreen plants, wintergreen plants are those that, unlike deciduous trees, keep their leaves during winter. Gardeners looking to liven up an outdoor patio or porch with a wintergreen potted plant have a range of long-lasting, lively plants to choose from, some of which may also be cultivated indoors.
  
  

Poinsettia

• A member of the spurge family, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a flowering perennial known primarily for its role as a Christmas decoration. The plant may reach up to 10 feet in the wild, though potted cultivars tend to be about 1 foot tall. Poinsettia is notable for its toothed, dark green leaves and its bright red, star-shaped flowers. Poinsettia is an evergreen that may be grown outdoors in a container in USDA zones 9 to 11. Plant in full sunlight in an average, well-draining soil. Flowering may be reduced in shade. Pinch the plant back in spring to encourage new flower growth.
  
  

Evergreen Wild Ginger

• Evergreen wild ginger (Asarum shuttleworthii) is a low-growing perennial that rarely grows to be above 6 inches. Commonly used as a ground cover, evergreen wild ginger is suitable for an outdoor container. The plant offers flat, broad leaves that have an attractive marble pattern. In the spring, the evergreen plant produces brownish-purple flowers, which are partially hidden under the leaves. Evergreen wild ginger is ideal for a shady patio or entryway, thriving in partial to full shade. A native of North America, the ginger plant is suitable for USDA zones 5 to 9. Plant in a well-draining, moderately moist soil and watch for slugs and snails.
  
  

Spineless Yucca

• A member of the agave family, spineless yucca (Yucca elephantipes) is a flowering perennial that may grow up to 30 feet high in ideal conditions. The plant produces bright green, sharp evergreen leaves that may reach lengths of up to 4 feet. In the summer, the yucca produces bell-shaped white flowers, which rise up above the foliage. Spineless yucca is suitable for an indoor pot or for an outdoor container in USDA zones 9 to 11. Place in a bright, sunny location and use a well-draining, acidic or alkaline soil. A general purpose cactus potting soil will also work.