This answer depends on where you live and how cold it gets in the winter. If you live in a moderate climate with it being rare that the tempeture drops below zero, then the bamboo should be fine. The biggest mistake it letting the roots sit in standing water all winter, so be sure the drainage holes of the containers are not blocked. If you raise the pots up by sitting them on top of plastic jar lids or water bottle tops (these shallow items will raise them just an inch off the ground but not be seen) then you can be sure the heavy pots will not stop water from draining. You can expect the foliage to yellow and turn brown in cold weather, but in spring you can cut this back to soil level and fresh new growth will appear. In mild winter climates this may not happen, and your bamboo might just look great all winter. Keep Growing, Marianne Binetti