For the best chance of success with your bare root rose, we recommend planting right away. The longer the rose is held the more likely it will develop mold or decay on the canes & roots and use up all of its stored energy reserves to stay alive. That being said, life happens (and sometimes wacky weather)! If you are not able to plant your rose immediately, wrap it back in the plastic bag it came in and store it in a dark, cool location, with a temperature of 35-42 degrees F (such as a garage, basement or closet) for up to a week. If you are a flower farmer or floral designer with access to a floral cooler you can store the sealed bag in the cooler at 34 degrees F. Do not leave it in a location where it will freeze or in a warm interior of a house. Check on it daily to make sure it remains moist, but that mold and fungus are not developing on the canes of roots.
If you need to hold it longer than one week a recommend a process called “heeling in” which is a temporary planting of the rose until you can plant it in its permanent location. Read more on our blog post: How to Heel In Bare Root Roses.
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
Bare root roses must be kept dormant and moist until planting day The ideal storage temperature is 35-45°F Avoid freezing temperatures or overly 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
Re-wrap roots in plastic bag they arrived in or wrap in damp newspaper or burlap Check every 2-3 days and remoisten as needed Don’t let 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.
Heeling in should only be used as a last resort if weather or circumstances prevent prompt planting. It’s best to get roses planted into 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 DONT unwrap your rose plant, remove it from the bag and leave it sitting in the corner of your garage for 2-3 weeks drying out! Believe me when I say that weve received more than a few reports over the years from customers doing this. 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. Use the mist setting on your garden hose nozzle to keep your rose moist, cool and in a dark location until you can plant it!
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’re Planting Within 2 Weeks – Bare root roses can remain in good condition for up to two weeks when left in their packaging.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. Simply leave them in their packaging and store them in a cool, frost-free place like your garden shed or garage.
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. Store somewhere cool, dark and out of any danger of frost or drying winds (an unheated garage or shed is ideal).
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.