Lift And Store These 6 Plants Before October’s First Frost – For Another Spectacular Display Next Year

TL;DR

Before you orderOffer from Amazon

Get garden gear delivered free with Prime

• Fast, free delivery on millions of items
• Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
• Member-only deals all year

Start your free Prime trial →Free trial for eligible customers · Cancel anytime

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.Hide

A Homes & Gardens gardening report advises gardeners to lift or move six frost-sensitive summer plants before a hard frost, then store each according to its needs. The list includes tuberose, pineapple lily, calla lily, agapanthus, tropical water lily and dahlias; timing and winter care depend on local conditions and plant type.

A Homes & Gardens report advises gardeners to lift or move six frost-sensitive summer plants before a hard freeze and store them according to whether they are bulbs, rhizomes, tubers or evergreen plants. The guidance matters because freezing temperatures and damp storage can damage plants intended for next year, while the safe date to act depends on local frost forecasts and growing conditions.

The six plants covered are tuberose, pineapple lily, calla lily, agapanthus, tropical water lily and dahlia. The report recommends lifting tender underground parts after foliage begins to die back, letting them dry when appropriate, and keeping dormant material in a cool, dry, frost-free place. It cautions that evergreen plants have different needs: they may require light and occasional watering rather than dry, dark storage.

For tuberose, the report says to wait for foliage to yellow, lift the bulbs gently, dry them in a warm, airy spot and store them in a paper bag or ventilated tray. Pineapple lily bulbs should be lifted in colder areas after foliage dies back; gardeners can also shelter pots, while avoiding waterlogged compost. Calla lily rhizomes can remain outdoors in some mild, well-drained locations, but gardeners in colder areas are advised to bring them in or store them after flowering and foliage yellowing.

Agapanthus care depends on whether a plant is deciduous or evergreen. The report describes storing dormant deciduous varieties in a cool, frost-free place, while evergreen types should be kept bright and sheltered and watered sparingly. Tropical water lilies need indoor winter protection in freezing climates, unlike many hardy water lilies. The supplied report begins a section on tropical water lilies but cuts off before giving its full storage instructions; it also names dahlias in its headline list without providing their care details in the available text.

Preventing Frost and Storage Losses

For gardeners with tender plants in pots or borders, the timing can determine whether plants survive until spring. A hard frost can damage tender bulbs and rhizomes, while poor drainage or damp storage can cause rot even when temperatures stay above freezing. That makes local forecasts, soil conditions and the plant’s specific winter requirements central to the task.

The advice also discourages treating every plant the same way. Dormant underground parts generally need dry, frost-free storage, but evergreen plants need light and should not be allowed to dry out completely. A monthly check of stored roots and containers, as the report recommends, can help gardeners spot shriveling or rot before spring planting.

Care Depends on Plant and Climate

The report frames fall storage as part of routine seasonal garden preparation, rather than a single fixed-date job. It says gardeners should account for their local first-frost date, winter soil drainage and the plant’s hardiness. It gives pineapple lilies as generally suited to USDA Zones 7–10, and says callas can often remain outdoors in Zone 8 and warmer when soil drains freely and prolonged freezes are absent. These are broad guidelines, not guarantees for every cultivar or site.

Plant identity also matters. The report distinguishes tropical from hardy water lilies, and deciduous from evergreen agapanthus, because their winter care differs. It recommends checking plant labels before cutting back or lifting plants and using breathable containers and labels to keep stored material ventilated and identifiable.

““Your location, first-frost date, and winter soil drainage all matter.””

— Homes & Gardens report

Frost Dates and Missing Details

The report does not give a single date that applies across regions: first frost varies by location, and the source advises acting before a hard freeze rather than following October’s calendar alone. The exact winter tolerance can also vary by cultivar, drainage and whether plants are growing in containers or in the ground. The source text provided for this article ends partway through its tropical water lily instructions and does not include the promised dahlia care section, so those specific storage steps cannot be confirmed from the available material.

Check Forecasts Before Lifting

Gardeners should check their local frost forecast and inspect plant labels before deciding what to lift, move or leave outdoors. The report’s general sequence is to wait for foliage to yellow or die back where specified, lift carefully, remove loose soil and dry bulbs or rhizomes before storing them in ventilated, frost-free conditions. Evergreen plants and water lilies need plant-specific handling, so the available guidance does not support applying the same dry-storage method to every item on the list.

During winter, check stored roots and containers about once a month for soft spots, rot or shriveling, and keep storage conditions appropriate to the plant. The next major step comes in spring, when dormant bulbs can be potted or replanted after hard freezes have passed, subject to local conditions.

Key Questions

When should I lift tender summer plants?

Homes & Gardens advises acting before a hard frost. The date varies by location, so check local forecasts and consider the plant’s condition and growing situation.

Do all six plants need to be stored dry?

No. Dormant bulbs and rhizomes generally need cool, dry, frost-free storage, while evergreen plants may need light and occasional water. Tropical water lilies also require different handling from hardy water lilies.

Can calla lilies stay outdoors over winter?

The report says callas may remain outdoors in some mild areas, generally USDA Zone 8 and warmer, if the soil drains freely and winters avoid prolonged freezes. Gardeners in colder areas should bring them in or store the rhizomes.

How often should stored bulbs and roots be checked?

The report recommends checking stored roots and containers at least once a month for rot or shriveling.

Does the available report explain how to store dahlias?

No. Dahlias are included in the headline list, but the supplied report text does not contain their care instructions. The specific method cannot be confirmed from the available source material.

Source: rss