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A Homes & Gardens report advises gardeners to lift or move six frost-sensitive plants before freezing weather and store them according to their needs. The plants include tuberose, pineapple lily, calla lily, agapanthus, tropical water lily and one additional plant whose instructions are missing from the supplied report. Timing and storage depend on local frost risk, plant type and drainage.
Homes & Gardens is advising gardeners to lift or move tender summer plants before the first hard frost, then store them in conditions suited to their plant type. Its report names tuberose, pineapple lily, calla lily, agapanthus and tropical water lily in the supplied text; the excerpt ends before the sixth plant and the full water lily instructions appear.
The report says timing depends on local frost dates, winter soil drainage and the plants’ cold tolerance. Dormant bulbs and rhizomes generally need cool, dry, frost-free storage, while evergreen plants may need light and occasional watering. The article warns that waterlogged storage can damage plant material just as freezing temperatures can.
For tuberose (Agave amica, formerly Polianthes tuberosa), the guidance is to wait until foliage yellows, allow the plant to dry down, lift the bulbs gently and let them dry in a warm, airy place. It recommends keeping them in a paper bag or ventilated tray in a cool, frost-free location. Pineapple lily bulbs should be lifted after foliage dies back in colder areas, dried, and stored in a cool, frost-free place; pots can instead be brought under cover, with waterlogged compost avoided.
Calla lily rhizomes can remain outdoors in some milder locations if drainage is good and prolonged freezes are not expected. Elsewhere, the report advises reducing watering as foliage yellows, lifting and drying the rhizomes, then storing them in a breathable container. For agapanthus, it distinguishes deciduous types, which can be cut back after foliage dies and kept cool and frost-free, from evergreen types, which need a bright, sheltered place and sparse watering. The excerpt says tropical water lilies need indoor protection in colder climates, but does not provide the rest of the storage directions.
Storage Depends on Plant Type
The guidance matters because one storage method does not suit every tender plant. Dormant bulbs and rhizomes are at risk from both frost and excess moisture, while evergreen plants may suffer if kept completely dark or allowed to dry out. Applying the same winter routine to all six could damage plants that might otherwise be carried through to the next growing season.
The report presents lifting and sheltering as ways to preserve plants for another year, not as a guarantee of a larger or more spectacular display. It says some plants may return as larger clumps or produce more bulbs, but results will depend on the plant’s condition and its winter storage. Checking stored material at least monthly can help gardeners spot rot early, according to the report.
For readers, the practical consequence is to identify each plant before autumn work begins. Plant labels, breathable bags and shallow trays can help keep varieties sorted and reduce moisture buildup. Gardeners should also check local frost forecasts and consider whether their soil drains freely before deciding to leave a plant in place.
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Autumn Frost Changes the Routine
The report is seasonal gardening advice published by Homes & Gardens for autumn 2026. Its central recommendation is to prepare before an unexpected hard frost, rather than waiting for a fixed calendar date. First frost varies across regions, so the article does not give a single nationwide deadline.
The plants described differ in their structures and winter needs. Tuberose, pineapple lily and calla lily are discussed through their bulbs or rhizomes; agapanthus care differs between deciduous and evergreen varieties. Tropical and hardy water lilies are not interchangeable: the report says tropical types cannot tolerate freezing temperatures, while hardy water lilies can often remain in a pond. The supplied excerpt does not include the full directions for overwintering either water lily type.
““Soggy storage can be as damaging as freezing temperatures.””
— Homes & Gardens report
Missing Plant and Water Lily Details
The supplied source text is incomplete. It identifies five plants, then cuts off partway through the tropical water lily section, so the sixth plant and its recommended care cannot be confirmed from the material provided. The remaining water lily instructions, including the exact indoor storage procedure, are also absent.
The article’s advice is conditional rather than a guarantee of survival. It does not specify exact temperatures, storage durations or one suitable method for every cultivar. The hardiness zones cited for some plants are general guidance; local climate, drainage, variety and growing conditions can change what is appropriate. Readers should consult plant labels or reliable local horticultural guidance where the plant type or care requirements are uncertain.
Prepare Before Local Frost
Gardeners can start by identifying their plants and checking the expected first hard frost for their area. Before lifting, gather labels, breathable storage containers and shallow trays, and use clean, sharp pruning tools where cutting back is appropriate. Follow the plant-specific instructions rather than cutting or drying every plant in the same way.
After lifting, allow dormant material to dry as directed and store it in a cool, frost-free place. Keep evergreen plants in the light and water them sparingly when their care requirements call for it. Inspect stored bulbs, rhizomes and containers about once a month for softness, rot or excessive shriveling. The next step for a complete six-plant plan is to consult the full Homes & Gardens report or another dependable source for the missing plant and tropical water lily details.
Key Questions
When should I lift tender plants?
Use your local first-frost forecast rather than a single calendar date. The report advises acting before a hard frost, with timing adjusted for location and plant type.
Which plants are named in the supplied report?
The excerpt names tuberose, pineapple lily, calla lily, agapanthus and tropical water lily. It refers to six plants, but the supplied text cuts off before naming the sixth.
Can all lifted bulbs and rhizomes be stored the same way?
No. The report generally recommends cool, dry, frost-free storage for dormant bulbs and rhizomes, but specific preparation varies. Evergreen agapanthus, for example, needs a bright, sheltered place and occasional sparse watering rather than dormant, dark storage.
Can water lilies stay outdoors through winter?
The excerpt says tropical water lilies cannot tolerate freezing temperatures and need to be brought indoors in colder climates. Hardy water lilies are a different group and can often remain in the pond, but the supplied text does not provide full instructions for either type.
Source: rss
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