Can perennials grow in a pot but stay outside in the winter?

Here in Florida I do it. But might be too cold elsewhere. I wouldnt risk it. Plant your pots in the ground and take them up in the spring.

I've had a plant in a pot living thru the winter for the past 3 years. it is in a sheltered location, on a concrete patio, getting morning sun.

The difficulty is overwintering anything in a pot ... the ground offers protection from the cold and from drying out. Pots have no insulation and can freeze. And colder weather tends to dry things very quickly if not protected by the ground. I have some precious items (like my Meyer Lemon tree) in a big pot, and I keep it in the garage, just at the door. It is protected from the worst of the Texas wind and cold, I can open the garage door so it gets some sunlight, and I water it only as needed in the dormant months.

That will depend on what perennial,your planting zone and pot used. I have many here in NY that totally survived the wet Ny winter.Another point I will make I also have lost many perennials in the ground. Gardening is totally experimental.What works for some will not always work for others.

I can but that is due to the climate where I live and the plant itself. If you really love it, I would take it in. My girlfriend in NC has a special section in their insulated garage to "winter over" tons of their plants. Not all of us are that lucky, but try and find a south or west facing spot so that it will just go dormant till spring.