Storing Bulbs and Perennials

Storing Bulbs and Bare Root Perennials: Best Practices for Healthy Planting

Whether you’re waiting out the weather, coordinating large installations, or pacing staggered plantings, proper storage of bulbs and bare root perennials ensures strong starts and reliable blooms. Timing, temperature, and air circulation are key—and small mistakes can lead to rot, desiccation, or failed establishment. Here's how to get it right.

Flower Bulbs: Keep Them Cool, Dry & Breathing

General Guidelines:

Temperature: Store between 35–55°F (1–13°C), depending on bulb type and whether chilling is required.
Ventilation: Use paper bags, mesh sacks, or breathable crates—never airtight containers.
Humidity: Avoid excess moisture; bulbs should stay dry but not shrivel.

Spring-Blooming Bulbs (Fall-Planted): Examples: Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, Hyacinths, Alliums

Store at 50–60°F (10–15°C) in a cool, dry, ventilated place until planting.
Don’t refrigerate unless pre-chilling is needed (e.g., for tulips in warm climates).
Protect from ethylene-producing fruit like apples, which can stunt blooms.

Summer-Blooming Bulbs (Spring-Planted): Examples: Dahlias, Lilies, Gladiolus, Callas, Begonias

Store tubers and corms in slightly moist peat, sawdust, or perlite at 40–50°F (4–10°C).
Inspect every few weeks—discard any rotting material and adjust humidity to prevent shriveling or molding.

Bare Root Perennials: Cool & Moist, Not Wet

Best Practice Basics:

Keep roots cool (34–40°F / 1–4°C) and lightly moist until planting.
Store in original packaging if breathable and moisture-retentive.
Avoid freezing temperatures or letting roots dry out.

For Short-Term Storage (1–3 weeks):

Place bundles in a fridge, cellar, or unheated garage.
Wrap roots in damp newspaper, peat moss, or coconut coir and seal in a loosely tied plastic bag.

For Longer Storage (3–6 weeks):

Use vented crates or shallow bins lined with lightly moistened packing material.
Mist occasionally if roots begin to dry—avoid standing water.

Inspection Matters:

Check roots for mold, rot, or desiccation weekly.
If growth begins early, pot up indoors or plant in a cold frame to avoid stalling development.

General Storage Reminders

Label clearly: Keep varieties and bloom times organized to avoid mix-ups.
Rotate crates or inspect weekly: Early rot can spread fast in tight storage.
No tight seals: Even humidity-loving roots need air circulation to prevent mold.
Time your planting window: Most stored plant material is viable for a few weeks to a few months—don’t push it.