Overwintering Tender Plants
Priya Hollis · Oct 18, 2026 · 6 min read
Quick answer
Pelargoniums, dahlias, and citrus need protection from frost to survive winter.
Tender plants are damaged or killed by frost. With some planning, you can keep them for next year.
Methods depend on the plant.
1 Bring pots inside
Move potted citrus, pelargoniums, and tender succulents into a frost-free greenhouse, porch, or bright room before the first frost. Water sparingly over winter.
2 Lift and store tubers
Dahlias can be lifted after frost blackens foliage, dried, and stored in barely damp compost in a frost-free place. In milder areas they can be left in the ground under thick mulch.
3 Protect in place
- ✓Wrap tree ferns and bananas in fleece
- ✓Mulch crowns heavily
- ✓Raise pots on feet to prevent waterlogging
- ✓Group pots against a sheltered wall
4 Take cuttings
Cuttings of pelargoniums and fuchsias root easily in late summer and are easier to overwinter than large plants.
5 Check stored plants
Check stored tubers and overwintering plants every few weeks. Remove any that are rotting, and lightly mist tubers if they look shrivelled. Watch for pests like aphids and mealybugs on plants overwintering indoors. In spring, start watering more and increase light as growth begins, then harden off before moving outside.
This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.