Now is the time to lift or move tender summer plants before that first, unexpected hard frost hits, then store them according to what they are. Dormant bulbs and rhizomes need cool, dry, frost-free conditions, while evergreen plants may need light and occasional water. Your location, first-frost date, and winter soil drainage all matter; soggy storage can be as damaging as freezing temperatures.

The reward for this small fall rescue mission is a stronger display next year, often from plants that have grown into bigger clumps or produced more bulbs. I check stored roots and containers at least once a month, as a quick inspection can catch rot before it spreads, and is far less melancholy than opening a box of garden compost in spring.

For the broader seasonal routine, the phrase 'overwinter a garden' is a useful starting point. To keep this particular job manageable, gather your winterizing tools before you dig, including breathable bags, labels, and shallow trays. These stackable storage baskets from Amazon make it easier to dry and sort small bulbs and rhizomes.

Tuberose (Agave amica, formerly Polianthes tuberosa) earns its place in a summer garden with tall stems of waxy white flowers and a fragrance that seems to have been composed for a grand entrance. It is tender, though, and frost can finish it off. In colder regions, grow it in a pot or lift the bulbs before freezing weather.

Once the foliage begins to yellow, let the plant dry down and lift the bulbs gently. Brush away loose soil and let them dry in a warm, airy spot. Store them in a paper bag or ventilated tray somewhere cool and frost-free, checking occasionally for shriveling or rot. In spring, pot them up somewhere warm and bright to get growth underway before moving them outside after frost has passed.

Tuberose is often treated as a tender perennial in warmer climates, but its winter tolerance depends on drainage and local conditions. For more planting advice, see how to grow tuberose. Label bulbs by variety before you store them; waterproof garden labels from Amazon are a simple way to avoid spring’s annual game of 'what on earth did I plant?'

Pineapple Lily (Eucomis sp.)

Pineapple lily (Eucomis sp.) has a flower spike topped with a jaunty tuft of leaves, as if it has dressed for a tropical holiday and accidentally arrived in your border. It generally suits USDA Zones 7–10, but wet winter soil can be a problem even where temperatures are relatively mild.

In colder zones, lift the bulbs after the foliage dies back and dry them before storage. Keep them in a cool, frost-free place in a breathable bag or crate. If yours grows in a container, you can bring the pot under cover and let the plant rest; avoid leaving the compost waterlogged. In spring, replant once hard freezes have passed.

A clay-heavy yard can make lifting the safer choice, since winter damp may rot the bulbs. Our guide to unusual summer bulbs has more inspiration for next year’s planting. A breathable bulb-storage bag from Amazon lets air circulate around dry bulbs while keeping varieties separate.

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia sp.)

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia sp.) bring a clean, sculptural elegance to pots and borders. Their rhizomes can remain outdoors in milder regions, generally USDA Zones 8 and warmer, if the soil drains freely and winters avoid prolonged freezes. In colder zones, bring them in.

Wait until flowering finishes and the foliage begins to yellow. Reduce watering, then lift the rhizomes or remove them from their pots. Let them dry, brush off excess soil, and store them in a breathable bag or box in a cool, dry, frost-free place. Check them through winter and discard any that turn soft or show rot.

If your callas are already in pots, you can keep the containers somewhere sheltered and dry rather than disturbing the rhizomes. See how to winterize calla lilies for advice by climate.

For a fresh start next season, wide, frost-resistant pots from Amazon give rhizomes room without making them sit in excess water.

Agapanthus (Agapanthus sp.), or African lily, sends up rounded flower heads that look particularly good in a sunny border or large container. Many varieties are hardy in warmer parts of the country, but gardeners in colder areas, often USDA Zone 7 and below, may need to protect or lift them.

Deciduous varieties can be cut back after foliage dies down and stored in a cool, frost-free spot. Always use clean and sharp pruning tools to do this, like these Fiskars bypass pruning shears from Lowe's.

Evergreen types need a different arrangement: pot them up, if necessary, and overwinter somewhere bright and sheltered, watering sparingly so the roots do not dry out completely. In milder zones, a thick mulch may be enough, provided the soil drains well.

The right method depends on the variety as well as the zone, so check the plant label before cutting everything back. Our guide to winterizing agapanthus explains the options. I’d use a sturdy nursery pot from Amazon for moving a clump under cover; the handles are a kindness to both you and your back.

Tropical Water Lily (Nymphaea sp.)

Tropical water lilies (Nymphaea sp.) bring bold color to a pond, but they cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. In colder climates, the tuber needs to come indoors before winter closes in. Hardy water lilies are a different group and can often stay in the pond, so check which type you have.

When the water cools and growth fades, lift the planting basket and find the small tuber near the crown. Clean and dry it, then store it in a sealed container with slightly damp sand or sphagnum moss in a dark place around 55–60°F. Check it during winter; the medium should stay lightly moist, not wet. Reintroduce it to the pond in spring once the water is warm enough.

This is one case where a dry shed may be too cold, so a basement or temperature-stable indoor spot can work better. Read our step-by-step guide to overwintering tropical water lilies for more guidance. A small lidded storage container from Amazon helps keep the tuber protected and the sand from drying too quickly.

Tuberous Begonias (Begonia × tuberhybrida)

Tuberous begonias () can flower well into fall, their elaborate blooms brightening shady pots and borders when other plants are winding down. They are frost-tender, so lift them before freezing weather rather than asking them to endure winter outdoors.

As the leaves yellow and die back, reduce watering and let the tubers ripen. Lift them gently, leaving a short piece of stem attached, and let them dry in a cool, airy spot. Once dry, store them in an open tray or paper bag in a cool, frost-free place, checking occasionally for rot. Keep the tubers dry; trapped moisture is a common cause of losses.

In spring, pot them up somewhere bright and warm, then move them outside once frost has passed. Our guide to overwintering begonias explains how care differs between begonia types. Shallow seed-starting trays from Amazon make handy winter quarters for tubers, with enough space to keep them from pressing against one another.

What to Shop

The most reliable cue is your local forecast, not the calendar. Frost arrives at different times across the United States, and a plant that thrives in Zone 8 may need lifting in Zone 6. Keep stored bulbs and rhizomes labeled, dry, and easy to inspect. Then, when spring returns, you’ll be planting established treasures rather than starting from scratch.

Don't forget to check your stored bulbs regularly through winter to ensure they aren't rotting. If you do find any that are soft and mushy, it's best to discard them.

If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?