Bare root roses require special care between the time they are shipped and when you are ready to plant them. Proper storage is crucial to ensure bare root roses stay healthy and viable until planting day. Follow these key tips to successfully store bare root roses before it’s time to put them in the ground.
Inspect Roses Immediately Upon Arrival
As soon as bare root roses arrive, inspect the plants and packaging. Look for any damage to the canes or roots. Also check that the roots are still moist from the packaging materials.
If roots are dry, soak them in room temperature water for 1-2 hours before storage. If roots or canes show damage, trim any dead or broken areas with clean pruners.
Keep Roses Cool and Moist
Before they are planted, bare root roses need to be kept dormant and moist. The best temperature for storage is 35–45°F; avoid freezing or too warm conditions.
Here are some good options for keeping roses dormant and cool:
- Unheated garage or shed
- Basement
- Refrigerator (remove produce first!)
- Cooler or floral walk-in fridge
Put the roots back in the plastic bag they came in or cover them with wet newspaper or burlap. Check on them every two to three days and water them as needed. Don’t let the roots dry out.
Follow Recommended Temporary Storage Timelines
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1-7 days: Store wrapped roses in a cool location as described above.
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1-2 weeks: Consider “heeling in” roses or potting temporarily until permanent planting.
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Longer than 2 weeks: Not recommended unless “heeling in.” Plant as soon as possible.
The key is to plant bare roots as soon as possible before viability declines. But if needed, proper temporary storage can buy some time.
“Heel In” Bare Root Roses
Heeling in is a technique used to temporarily store bare root plants in soil until permanent planting time. Here’s how:
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Dig a trench 1 foot deep and slightly angled. Loosened soil aids root growth.
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Lay roses in the trench at a 45° angle. Cover roots and lower canes with soil.
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Check soil moisture every few days. Add water if needed.
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Store for max 2-3 weeks before permanent planting to avoid damage.
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Carefully remove from trench and plant into final location.
If you can’t plant right away because of weather or other problems, heeling in should only be done as a last resort. It is best to plant roses in their permanent spot as soon as possible.
Pot Temporarily
Another option is to temporarily pot bare root roses until ready for the garden:
- Use a 10-12 inch diameter pot with drainage holes
- Fill with well-draining potting mix, not garden soil
- Gently loosen and spread bare roots over soil and cover with 1-2 inches of mix
- Keep evenly moist, provide light if possible
- Transplant into garden within 2-3 weeks
This buys some time but get roses planted into final beds as soon as possible. Frequent potting and transplanting is stressful on plants.
Avoid Common Mistakes
When storing bare root roses, be sure to avoid:
- Letting roots dry out – causes dieback
- Storing in a warm area – forces growth too soon
- Storing in freezing temperatures – damages dormant canes
- Storing for longer than 2-3 weeks – reduces viability
- Fertilizing or overwatering – stresses plants
Follow these tips to properly store your bare root roses until planting day! Proper care between shipping and planting makes all the difference in your roses thriving.
Plant According to Your Growing Zone
Bare root roses are planted from January through May depending on your growing zone. Use this chart to help plan when to order and plant bare roots in your garden:
| Zone | Planting Timeframe |
|---|---|
| 9-13 | late January – late February |
| 8 | mid – late February |
| 7 | early – mid March |
| 6 | mid – late March |
| 3-5 | early – mid April |
Planting outside the recommended dates for your growing zone will make it harder for roses to thrive. For example, planting too early or late in the season when temperatures are not ideal will cause issues like dieback. Time your planting carefully.
Water Frequently After Planting
For at least 1-2 weeks after planting, water your new bare root roses daily with overhead watering to keep the canes and roots moist while they establish. If it doesn’t rain much in your area, water daily unless buds and leaves start to emerge, then switch to less frequent deep watering. Frequent watering helps young plants thrive.
Don’t Allow Roses to Dry Before Planting
Never take bare root roses out of the bag and leave them to dry for weeks before planting! Keep them sealed and moist in a cool, dark place until planting day. Letting bare roots dry out damages the plant and causes dieback after planting.
If you can’t plant soon, use mist or moisture to keep bare root roses from drying out. Follow temporary storage steps above to maintain viability.
By properly caring for bare root roses between shipment and planting time, you can ensure your roses get off to a healthy start. Follow these tips for ideal storage and planting success!
USING COLORED OR THICK BARK AROUND THE BASE OF YOUR ROSE
The majority of unsuccessful bare root roses we see from customers are surrounded by colored of thick wood chips or bark. This layer sits on top of the soil, blocking moisture from reaching the roots during those crucial early weeks after planting. Additionally, color-treated products may contain chemicals that could harm your roses. We recommend removing colored or thick bark and covering the base of your canes with a small layer 1-2 inches of basiccompost or compost + loose mulch instead. Save the thick wood chip and bark products for another project in your garden.
ALLOWING YOUR ROSE TO DRY OUT BEFORE PLANTING
Please DO NOT take your rose plant out of the bag, unwrap it, and leave it in the corner of your garage for two to three weeks to dry out! Trust me, we’ve heard of many customers doing this over the years. Its like leaving a head of lettuce on the kitchen counter and expecting it to be fresh, not wilted and ready to eat after two weeks.
Your bare root rose needs to stay moist and cool in order to stay viable until planting. If you can’t plant right away, wrap the rose back in the plastic bag and leave it in a dark, cool location with a temperature of 35-42 F degrees. Do not leave the bag open and let your rose dry out. Check on it every 1-2 days to make sure it remains moist and no mold or cane decay is developing. You could also “Heel In” your rose if you need to store it for a longer period of time before planting. Click here to see our step-by-step directions for heeling-in your rose plant.
You may not see the damage from drying out right away but a few weeks later, after planting, the canes will turn black and the rose eventually dies. Put your rose somewhere cool, damp, and dark until you can plant it. Use the mist setting on your garden hose nozzle to do this.
The rose on the left is planted too high with the graft union over 6 inches above the soil line. The feeder roots of the plant are not completely covered and growing on top of the soil. The own root rose on the right is planted much too low with the base of the canes covered with thick mulch.
 How to Store Bare Root until Time to Plant
FAQ
How long can I store bare root roses before planting?
If You Plan to Plant Within Two Weeks—If you leave bare root roses in their packaging for up to two weeks, they will stay healthy. Jan 20, 2025.
How to save rose bare root?
If you’re not planting straight away, don’t worry, they’ll stay perfectly content for a few weeks. Bare root roses are quite hardy and can stay in good condition for up to three weeks. Just keep them in their boxes and put them somewhere cool and out of the frost, like your garage or garden shed.
How do you store bare roots?
They should not be left soaking in water – just put a hose or watering can over them briefly to dampen them or dunk them in a bucket for a minute or two. 2. A cool, dark, and out of the way place away from frost and drying winds is best. A garage or shed that isn’t heated works well.
How do you store bareroot Roses?
If you have to store the plants for more than ten days, your best bet is to completely unpack them and heel them in. Heeling in is a way to store bareroot roses by packing their roots in moist (not soggy) soil until planting time. Where and how you heel in your roses depends on how many roses you have and on the soil conditions outdoors.
How long do bare root Roses last?
If you are not ready to plant your bare root rose, you can store it for up to 2 weeks. It is vital that the bare root is stored in a dark and cool place, such as a shed or garage. It should be away from wind and frost and kept moist at all times. You can achieve this by wetting the roots and covering them with wet compost or newspaper.
Do bareroot Roses need to be stored before planting?
You’ll probably have to store bareroot roses for some time before you can plant them, particularly if you purchase them through the mail. The key is to keep the plants cool so that they don’t start growing and the roots moist so that they don’t dry out. Inspect bareroot roses, as soon as they arrive or you get them home.
How do you store roses?
If you have just a few roses, place them in a bucket or box and pack the roots and top third of the plant with moist sawdust, compost, peat moss, or soil. Store the whole thing in a cool (35° to 40°F or 1° to 4°C) place and check the packing often to make sure that it’s moist.
How do you keep a bare root rose alive?
Your bare root rose needs to stay moist and cool in order to stay viable until planting. If you can’t plant the rose right away, put it back in the plastic bag and keep it somewhere dark, cool, and between 35 and 42 F degrees. Do not leave the bag open and let your rose dry out.
How do you store a bare root plant in a shed?
An ideal storage location would be in a dark area of a garden shed or garage for up to 2 weeks. Alternatively, you can temporarily ‘heel them in’ by loosely covering the bare root plant with soil. You can do this by placing the plant at a 45 degree angle in a trench or bucket located in a dark, shady area.