How to Store Flower Bulbs

Many flowering bulbs are low maintenance and provide brilliant color throughout the months. When summer turns into the cool months of fall, however, it may be time to consider moving your bulbs indoors. Following a few simple tips for bulb storage will help ensure that your bulbs are ready to go for another season of beautiful blooms.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Store flower bulbs in a cool, dry location that is away from direct heat or cold.

2. Clean off any dirt and debris that could be a potential source of rotting on the bulbs.

3. Dry your bulbs after removing them from the soil by leaving them out in the sun for a week.

4. Place the bulbs in a box filled with peat moss, packing peanuts, sawdust or other such dry material to act as insulation. Do not make your box airtight, though; you still want the bulbs to receive air circulation.

5. Arrange the bulbs top-side-up, with the roots facing downward, just as you would put them in the ground.

6. Cover the bulbs loosely with the moss or other filler material that you packed your box with.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all bulbs need to be stored for the winter. Find information for the particular kind of bulbs you have to determine whether they need to spend the winter indoors or not.
• Different bulbs have different temperature storage requirements. Lilies and dahlias, for instance, should be stored between 35 and 45 degrees F, whereas calla lilies and elephant ears should be stored at warmer temperatures. Find out what temperature is appropriate for your specific bulbs.
• Store bulbs in a mesh bag such as the ones that onions come in as an easy alternative to boxing.
• Prevent bulbs from freezing and keep them out of direct sunlight and away from other heat sources. Keeping your bulbs cool but not frozen will ensure that they stay healthy and don't sprout prematurely.
• Arrange the bulbs so that they are not touching each other. This will help prevent rotting.