How to Store Salvia for Replanting

Ornamental salvia brings a lush bloom and energetic foliage to the summer garden. If you live where winter temperatures fall below freezing, salvia plants might not survive without protection from the cold. Dig up the salvia tubers and store them properly so you can replant them again in the spring. With minimal effort in the fall, you can enjoy your salvia plants for many years.

Peat moss
Shallow bin
Pruning shears
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Place 2 to 3 inches of peat moss into the bottom of the bin to prepare it to hold the salvia plants.
- 2
  Cut back the salvia plants to just above soil level with the pruning shears. For best results, wait to cut the plants until they begin to show signs of decline, such as yellowing and slight wilting. Discard the plant foliage.
- 3
  Dig up the salvia tubers from the soil with the trowel. Shake off the excess soil and transfer the tubers to the bin. Continue digging up the tubers until you remove them all from the soil.
- 4
  Spread out the tubers in the bin so they do not touch. Add additional peat moss to surround the tubers completely.
- 5
  Place the bin in a cool location that remains between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. An unheated garage or basement would be ideal.
- 6
  Retrieve the salvia tubers after the winter ends and replant them outdoors in their former growing location.

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