Storing Tender Bulbs for Winter: Dahlias, Caladiums, Elephant Ears, Gladiolus

Atlanta’s Zone 7 winters kill many summer bulbs. Dig and store them properly to replant next spring.

Dahlia

• Cut stems above tubers; dust wounds with sulfur.
• Store in plastic tubs with perlite (2–3 layers).
• Keep in warm spot (hall closet), not cool basement.

Caladium

• Dig before leaves vanish; use stems as handles.
• Store in perlite by color; label tubs.
• Warm storage (like dahlias).

Elephant Ear (Colocasia/Alocasia)

• Option A: Cut to 6″, cover with pot + deep pine straw (outdoor gamble).
• Option B: Dig corm, dry 1 week, store in perlite/peat/newspaper in cool (65°F) indoor closet.
• Replant when nights >60°F (usually May).
• Caution: Sap is caustic—avoid eye/skin contact.

Gladiolus

• Dig in October; dry soil 1 week around roots.
• Separate cormels (baby corms) by size.
• Store large corms in mesh bags in cool spot.
• Small cormels take 2+ years to bloom.
• Digging annually prevents overcrowding and improves bloom size.

Don’t wait—dig this weekend and enjoy the easiest fall chore.

Stored bulbs in perlite-filled tubs