Getting Summer Bulbs Ready for Winter!

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Gorgeous tropical foliage bulbs and summer-flowering bulbs have started winding down as the cooler weather begins! Unless you are in the warmest growing zones of USDA zones 9, 10, and 11; where these bulbs can remain in the ground as perennials or semi-to-fully evergreen - then it is time to 'lift' your bulbs and get them stored away for the winter!

Lifting Bulbs For The Winter

Lifting Bulbs For The Winter

'Lifting' is just another term for digging up winter tender bulbs that won’t survive frozen ground or freezing temperatures. These are typically plants that need consistent year-round warmth or are tropical in nature, including -

Elephant Ears
Tuberous Begonias
Caladiums
Canna Lily
Gladiolas
Dahlia
Ranunculus (Butter Cups)
Freesia
Anemone
Tigridia
Tuberose
Peacock Orchids
Society Garlic
Harlequin Flower
Gloriosa Lily
Lily Of The Nile
Water Lily
Pineapple Lily

Storing Bulbs For The Winter

These frost-tender bulbs in growing zones 7-8 and lower will not survive reliably, so it is best to allow your plants to see some light frosts to stop the top growth and for the plants to turn yellow and brown. Digging these bulbs must be done before the ground freezes - so don't forget!

Timing for digging these plants will vary depending upon the plant, and of course where you are growing them (your growing zone). Light frost will not penetrate the soil surface, but it will help your plants start to go dormant. Watch for the foliage to yellow or turn brown first, then it's time to dig!

Use a sharp spade or garden fork to loosen the soil
Dig carefully so you do not harm the bulb or its remaining roots
Gently lift the bulbs and their bulbils out of the ground
Gently shake off or hose off the excess soil
Trim away any and all foliage without cutting into the bulb
Lay out the bulbs in a shady, cool location to let the surface dry (curing)
Curing for a few days and brush off any loose soil from each
You can dust your bulbs with fungicide and/or insecticide
Place in a labeled cardboard box, crate with airflow, or a brown paper bag, between layers of dry sand, wrapped in newspaper, peat, sawdust, or shredded coconut husk
Make sure to store them in a well-ventilated area

Store in a cool, dark location that remains a consistent 35-45°F. Unheated garages, sheds, basements, or a root cellar are the perfect locations. They do best with 50% humidity. Check the bulbs often throughout the winter to make sure they remain in good health.

Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t remove the ‘skin’ off Dahlias or other papery bulbs
Gladiolus prefer to not have their soil washed off
Do discard any bulbs that have been damaged
Discard any shriveled bulbs or those that look like they’re rotting
Some plants like Gladiolus and Calla Lilies need ‘curing’ for 2-3 weeks
Don’t store the bulbs touching or in an airtight container
If the bulbs seem to be dry or beginning to shrivel, moisten slightly and repack
If you check on the bulbs and they are very moist, let them dry out and their packing material dries out - then repack

Other Options

Some bulbs like the Elephant Ears and Caladium can be brought in before they die back from frost and kept as houseplants in a bright, indirectly sunny window. Calla Lilies can also be used as houseplants.

Forced Bulbs and Amaryllis

Once your forced winter bulbs and Amaryllis have finished blooming, trim away the flowers and their stems, but keep their foliage in a bright indirect sun window and water them moderately but regularly. This way the leaves will make food for the bulb.

Once the foliage dies back, trim away the leaves and leave them in their moistly dried pot of soil. Or you can remove them from the soil, clean them off and wrap them in newspaper. Store in a well-ventilated cool, dark location like other bulbs and plant them in your garden in the spring, or start them in pots again for the fall/winter months.

Fall Digging Leads To Summer Blooms

Don’t forget your Summer-Flowering bulbs while you are rushing to finish up your fall cleanup checklist this year! With a bit of work and planning, you’ll be able to enjoy your beautiful bulbs for years to come!

Check out all the newest Bulbs - both fall and spring-planted - hitting the website for 2024! We’ll hold your order and ship them to you at the proper planting time for your growing zone!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you lift and store summer bulbs before the first frost?

To lift summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas, gladiolas, and elephant ears before winter, wait until light frost has yellowed or browned the foliage, then carefully loosen the soil with a spade or garden fork and gently remove the bulbs before the ground freezes. Brush off excess soil, trim away foliage without cutting into the bulb, and allow them to cure in a cool, shady spot for a few days. Store them in a labeled cardboard box or paper bag layered with dry sand, peat, or shredded coconut husk in a well-ventilated, dark location that stays a consistent 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit with around 50 percent humidity, such as an unheated garage, shed, or basement. Gardeners in zones 8 and below should plan their digging schedule now so they are not caught off guard by a hard freeze.

What is the best way to store tender bulbs over winter?

After lifting and curing your tender bulbs for a few days in a cool, shady spot, pack them in a labeled cardboard box or paper bag between layers of dry sand, peat, sawdust, or shredded newspaper. Store them in a well-ventilated, cool, and dark location that maintains a consistent temperature of 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit with around 50 percent humidity, such as an unheated garage, shed, basement, or root cellar. Check on your bulbs regularly throughout winter to catch any signs of rot or disease early, and consider dusting them with a fungicide before storage for added protection.

What should you do with potted lilies after they finish flowering?

After potted lilies finish flowering, cut back the spent blooms but leave the foliage intact so the plant can continue photosynthesizing and storing energy in the bulb. In zones 9-11, you can transplant them directly into the garden where they will overwinter in the ground. In zones 8 and below, allow the foliage to yellow and die back naturally, then dig and store the bulbs in a cool, dark location at 35-45°F in a breathable container with dry peat, sand, or shredded coconut husk until spring replanting.

How do you properly clean and dry bulbs before storing them for winter?

After digging your bulbs, gently shake or hose off any excess soil from the roots and surfaces. Trim away all foliage without cutting into the bulb itself, then lay the bulbs out in a shady, cool location for a few days to cure and allow the surface to fully dry. Once cured, brush off any remaining loose soil and consider dusting the bulbs with a fungicide and/or insecticide before packing them away for storage.

How do you store calla lily bulbs over the winter months?

Calla lily bulbs should be dug up before the ground freezes in zones 8 and below, after light frost has yellowed or browned the foliage. Gently lift the bulbs, shake off excess soil, trim the foliage, and allow them to cure in a shady, cool location for a few days before brushing off any remaining dirt. Store them in a labeled cardboard box or paper bag layered with dry sand, peat, or shredded coconut husk in a well-ventilated space that stays a consistent 35 to 45 degrees F with around 50% humidity, such as an unheated garage, basement, or root cellar. Check on your stored bulbs periodically through the winter to catch any signs of rot or disease early.

Can you store daylily bulbs over winter and replant them in spring?

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are cold-hardy perennials that can survive winters in USDA zones 3 through 9, so in most cases there is no need to dig and store them at all. Unlike the tropical and tender summer bulbs on our list, daylilies can simply be left in the ground year-round. If you want to divide or relocate them, fall or early spring are the best times to dig and transplant the fleshy roots, keeping them moist and replanting within a day or two for best results.

How long will flower bulbs stay viable in storage?

Most flower bulbs stored properly will remain viable for one full growing season, meaning you dig them in fall and replant them the following spring. Success depends on maintaining consistent storage conditions of 35-45°F with around 50% humidity in a well-ventilated, dark location. Check your bulbs regularly throughout winter and discard any that show signs of rot, mold, or excessive shriveling to prevent spread to healthy bulbs.

How do you save summer bulbs to replant next year?

To save summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas, gladiolas, and elephant ears for replanting, wait until light frost has yellowed or browned the foliage, then carefully dig them up before the ground freezes. Gently shake off excess soil, trim away all foliage, and allow the bulbs to cure in a shady, cool location for a few days before brushing off any remaining dirt. Store them in a labeled cardboard box or paper bag between layers of dry sand, peat, or shredded coconut husk in a well-ventilated space that stays a consistent 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit with around 50% humidity, such as an unheated garage, basement, or root cellar. Check on your bulbs periodically through winter and plan to replant them once the threat of frost has passed in spring.

What are the best materials to use when storing bulbs for winter?

When storing lifted bulbs for winter, place them in labeled cardboard boxes, wooden crates with airflow, or brown paper bags between layers of dry sand, peat, sawdust, shredded coconut husk, or wrapped in newspaper. Keep stored bulbs in a cool, dark, well-ventilated location that maintains a consistent temperature of 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit with around 50% humidity, such as an unheated garage, shed, basement, or root cellar. Before packing, cure the bulbs for a few days in a shady spot and consider dusting them with a fungicide or insecticide to prevent rot and pests. Check on your bulbs regularly throughout winter to catch any problems early.

How do you store tulip bulbs if you need to hold them before fall planting?

Tulip bulbs should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated location at temperatures between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit until you are ready to plant them in fall. A paper bag, mesh bag, or open cardboard box works well since airflow helps prevent mold and rot. Avoid storing tulips near ripening fruit, as the ethylene gas produced can damage the bulbs. Plant tulip bulbs in fall once soil temperatures have cooled to around 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, typically from September through November depending on your growing zone.