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A Homes & Gardens report advises gardeners to lift or move six frost-sensitive plants before freezing weather, then store each according to its needs. The guidance distinguishes dormant bulbs and rhizomes, which generally need cool, dry, frost-free storage, from evergreen plants that may need light and occasional water.
Homes & Gardens has published autumn guidance urging gardeners to lift or move six tender summer plants before the first hard frost, a step intended to protect their bulbs, rhizomes or roots through winter. The report says storage needs vary by plant: many dormant underground parts should be kept cool, dry and frost-free, while evergreen plants may need light and limited watering.
The six plants covered are tuberose, pineapple lily, calla lily, agapanthus, tropical water lily and elephant ear. The source advises checking each plant’s condition and type before acting, rather than using one storage method for all, as with other plants needing winter protection. For bulbs and rhizomes, it commonly recommends waiting for foliage to yellow or die back, lifting carefully, letting the material dry, and storing it with air circulation in a protected place.
For tuberose (Agave amica, formerly Polianthes tuberosa), the report recommends lifting after the foliage starts to yellow, drying the bulbs in a warm, airy spot, then placing them in a paper bag or ventilated tray in a cool, frost-free location. Pineapple lily (Eucomis) bulbs should be lifted in colder areas after foliage dies back; container-grown plants can instead be brought under cover, with waterlogged compost avoided. Calla lily rhizomes can remain outdoors in some mild, well-drained locations, but gardeners in colder areas are advised to dry and store them indoors.
Agapanthus requires a variety-specific approach, according to the report. Deciduous types can be cut back after their foliage dies and stored cool and frost-free, while evergreen types need a bright, sheltered place and sparing watering. Tropical water lilies and elephant ears also need protection from freezing conditions, but their handling differs from that of hardy varieties or dormant bulbs. The supplied report’s directions for these two plants are incomplete, so exact step-by-step storage advice for them cannot be confirmed from the material provided.
Protecting Plants Through Winter
For gardeners with tender summer plants, the timing and storage conditions can affect whether plants survive winter and grow again next season. A hard frost can damage or kill plants that are not suited to local winter temperatures; excess moisture can also cause rot during storage. The report’s central advice is to match protection to the plant and local conditions instead of assuming that every bulb or container should be treated alike.
The recommendations may also help gardeners preserve established plants rather than replace them. The source says stored plants can return with larger clumps or more bulbs, but that is a prospective benefit, not a guaranteed result. Outcomes depend on the plant’s health, the storage environment and local growing conditions.
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Climate Shapes the Storage Choice
The report places frost protection within a broader autumn garden routine and stresses that location, first-frost timing and winter drainage all matter. It cites broad hardiness guidance for some plants: pineapple lilies are generally suited to USDA Zones 7–10, while calla lilies may remain outdoors in Zone 8 and warmer where soil drains freely and prolonged freezes are absent. These zone references are general guidance, not a substitute for checking a plant’s variety and local conditions.
Some plants in the same broad group have different winter needs. The source separates tropical water lilies from hardy water lilies, which can often remain in a pond, and evergreen agapanthus from deciduous types. It recommends labels and breathable storage containers to keep varieties identifiable and reduce moisture buildup. The report also advises checking stored roots and containers about once a month for signs of rot.
““Your location, first-frost date, and winter soil drainage all matter.””
— Homes & Gardens report
Local Frost Dates Still Matter
The report does not give a single date by which every gardener should lift these plants. First frost varies by location, and the recommendations depend on species, variety, container use, soil drainage and winter severity. Gardeners should check plant labels and local forecasts before deciding whether to lift a plant, move its pot under cover or leave it outdoors with protection.
The source material provided here ends partway through its tropical water lily instructions and does not include the full elephant ear guidance. It is therefore unclear from this material exactly how the report advises preparing and storing those plants. The outcome of overwintering is also not assured; storage inspections can identify rot, but cannot guarantee survival or a particular display next year.
Check Plants Before Frost Arrives
Gardeners can begin by identifying each plant and checking its label, then compare local frost forecasts with its cold tolerance. The report advises gathering breathable bags, labels and shallow trays before lifting, allowing dormant bulbs or rhizomes to dry where appropriate, and keeping them in a cool, dry, frost-free place. Evergreen plants may need a brighter sheltered location and occasional water rather than dry storage.
During winter, inspect stored material about once a month and remove any parts showing rot. In spring, replant or move plants outdoors only when the threat of hard freezes has passed, following the needs of each species. The exact schedule will depend on local weather and the plant’s condition.
Key Questions
Which six plants does the report cover?
It covers tuberose, pineapple lily, calla lily, agapanthus, tropical water lily and elephant ear. Their winter needs differ, so the report advises identifying the plant and checking its variety before choosing a method.
When should gardeners lift tender bulbs and rhizomes?
The report does not set one date for all regions. It advises acting before freezing weather and, for several plants, waiting until foliage begins to yellow or dies back. Local frost forecasts and the plant’s condition should guide timing.
How should dormant bulbs and rhizomes be stored?
For the plants described, the general guidance is to let lifted material dry when appropriate, then store it in a cool, dry, frost-free place with air circulation. Check it periodically for rot or shriveling.
Do all plants need to be lifted from the ground?
No. Some container-grown plants can be moved under cover, and some plants may remain outdoors in mild climates with suitable drainage. The report says tropical and hardy water lilies are different groups, while evergreen and deciduous agapanthus need different care.
Can these plants stay outdoors in winter?
That depends on the plant, variety, local climate and soil drainage. The report notes that some calla lilies and agapanthus may overwinter outdoors in milder conditions, while tropical water lilies cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. Check plant-specific guidance before leaving plants exposed.
Source: rss
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