Overwintering Tender Perennials: Lifting, Storing, and Restarting in Spring
Tender perennials—plants that grow year after year in warm climates but can’t survive freezing temperatures—require extra care to make it through winter. After gardening in both mild Sonoma Valley winters and harsh Iowa Zone 5 winters, I’ve learned that overwintering these plants is completely manageable with the right approach. Whether you dig and store them or protect them in place, you can keep tender perennials alive and ready to restart in spring.
What Are Tender Perennials?
Tender perennials are plants that behave like perennials in warm zones but freeze and die in colder climates. These include:
- Dahlias
- Cannas
- Caladium
- Elephant ears
- Tuberous begonias
- Gladiolus
- Geraniums (pelargoniums)
- Lemon verbena
- Tender salvias
In Zones 8–10, many survive outdoors. In Zones 3–7, most must be lifted or heavily protected.
Option 1: Lifting Tender Perennials for Winter Storage
This is the most reliable method for gardeners in cold climates.
When to Lift
- Lift after the first light frost blackens foliage but before a hard freeze.
- Soil should be cool but not frozen.
How to Lift Safely
- Cut back foliage to 4–6 inches.
- Loosen soil with a fork, lifting gently to avoid damaging tubers or roots.
- Shake off excess soil—don’t wash unless necessary.
- Let roots or tubers cure for 3–7 days in a dry, airy place.
How to Store Properly
- Place cured tubers or roots in:
- Cardboard boxes
- Mesh bags
- Shallow crates
- Use packing materials such as:
- Dry peat moss
- Shredded newspaper
- Wood shavings
- Dry potting mix
Ideal Storage Conditions
- Temperature: 40–50°F
- Humidity: Moderate, to prevent shriveling
- Location: Basement, garage, or cool closet
What to Check During Winter
- Inspect monthly for:
- Mold
- Soft spots
- Excess drying
- Remove damaged sections and lightly mist packing medium if tubers shrivel.
Option 2: Overwintering Tender Perennials Indoors as Potted Plants
This works well in Zones 5–10 and is especially easy in mild-winter climates.
How to Pot and Bring Indoors
- Dig the plant before hard frost (or before consistent cold rain in warm climates).
- Pot it in a slightly snug container.
- Cut back the foliage lightly.
- Place in a bright, cool spot indoors: sunroom, bright garage, enclosed porch, or cool room.
Care Through Winter
- Water sparingly—just enough to keep soil from going bone dry.
- Provide bright indirect light.
- Keep temperatures above 40–45°F.
This method is ideal for:
- Geraniums
- Lemon verbena
- Tender salvias
- Small cannas
- Small dahlias
Option 3: Protecting Tender Perennials Outdoors in Mild Winter Zones
In Zones 8–10 (and sheltered spots in Zone 7), you may not need to lift plants at all.
How to Protect Plants In Ground
- Apply 4–6 inches of mulch over the root zone.
- Use:
- Straw
- Shredded leaves
- Bark fines
- Compost
For Borderline Plants
- Cover crowns with extra mulch through the coldest nights.
- Use frost cloth during hard freezes.
- Cut back heavily only in spring—not before cold weather.
Tender salvias, geraniums, and cannas often overwinter well in warm zones with this simple protection.
Restarting Tender Perennials in Spring
Regardless of how you overwinter them, tender perennials need a gentle reawakening.
For Stored Tubers and Roots
- Bring out of storage in early spring.
- Discard rotten or shriveled pieces.
- Divide tubers if needed.
- Plant in pots early to give them a head start, or plant directly outdoors after frost danger.
For Indoors-Overwintered Plants
- Move them into brighter light as days lengthen.
- Resume regular watering.
- Pinch new growth to encourage branching.
- Harden off outside for 7–10 days before planting out.
For Plants Left Outdoors
- Remove winter mulch gradually.
- Wait for new shoots to appear before cutting back old stems.
- Feed lightly with compost or organic fertilizer.
Conclusion
Overwintering tender perennials is easier than most gardeners think. Whether you lift and store them for harsh winters or simply protect them through milder ones, you can enjoy their beauty year after year. With a few simple steps—and an understanding of how tender plants behave in your zone—your garden returns each spring with strong, healthy growth.
