How to Care for Outdoor Plants Until They’re Ready for Spring Planting

At a Glance

• Unpack outdoor plants right away and check for damp soil, pests, or shipping stress
• Provide a cool, sheltered “resting spot”, like a garage or patio corner, while your plants wait for outdoor planting
• Water sparingly during dormancy; only increase when roots feel dry and growth resumes
• Once frost danger passes, gradually harden off plants outside (“spring training”), then plant them in thawed soil

So—you ordered outdoor plants in winter (smart move, by the way). Whether you’re stocking up early to beat the spring rush or just couldn’t resist planning your future garden, you might be wondering: what do I do with these now? Good news: You don’t need to have a full backyard or greenhouse to keep your plants happy until it’s time to plant them outside. Whether you’ve got a sunny balcony, a garage, or just a patch of patio or spare room, we’ve got you covered.

Know What Kind of Plants You’re Working With

First things first—take a look at what showed up!

• If you ordered dormant perennials or trees, they might look like bare sticks but they’re very much alive. Totally normal.
  

• If your plant still has leaves, it might be a cold-hardy plant or evergreen, which just needs a little shelter until spring.
  

Think of it like plant hibernation. Dormant shrubs or trees ship without leaves are built to rest during the colder months—they just need the right setup to do it safely. These are different from those you get in late spring that are already leafing out.

Give Them Temporary Shelter

Until the soil is workable and nighttime temperatures stay consistently above freezing, your plants need a safe spot to wait out winter. You don’t need fancy equipment or a huge space—just a place that’s cool, sheltered, and not too dry.

Here’s how to handle that, depending on your space:

For Small Spaces (Patio, Balcony, Apartment Living):

• Keep containers in a sheltered spot like near a building wall or tucked into a corner that gets some winter sun but is protected from harsh wind.
  

• Use insulating materials like bubble wrap, burlap, or old blankets around pots to protect roots from temperature swings. You can also add mulch!
  

• If space allows, bring dormant plants indoors temporarily—a cool, bright hallway or unheated sunroom is ideal. Avoid overheated spaces.
  

For Larger Spaces (Backyards, Garages, Sheds):

• Store dormant or cold-hardy container plants in an unheated garage or shed where temps stay above 20°F but below 50°F.

• Avoid full darkness for evergreen varieties. If your storage area has no light, consider a small grow light on a timer.

Water Lightly—and Only When Needed

Here’s the golden rule: don’t let them dry out completely, but don’t drown them either.

• Dormant plants only need water every few weeks (if that).
  

• Actively growing plants will need a little more, especially in a sunny spot.
  

• Check moisture by touching the soil. If it feels bone dry, it’s time for a small drink.

Think of it like a low-maintenance holding pattern until spring arrives.

Springtime = Go Time

Once the temperatures start staying above freezing at night and your local frost date has passed, your plants are ready to harden off and stretch out.

• Start by hardening them off—this means slowly introducing them to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days. Think of it like plant spring training.
  

• Choose a cloudy day or plant in the evening to reduce stress.
  

• Make sure the ground is thawed and workable. Not too soggy or waterlogged.
  

Bonus Tip: Prep Your Spring Garden Now

While your plants are hibernating, use this downtime to prep your garden!

• Map out your garden layout or container placements.
  

• Clean and organize tools.
  

• Stock up on soil, compost, and mulch.
  

• Plan a watering schedule based on your space and sunlight.

Winter plant deliveries can feel like a leap of faith, but with the right temporary care, your plants will thrive come spring. Whether your garden lives in pots on a fire escape or sprawls across raised beds in the yard, with a little patience and the right setup, your outdoor plants will be more than ready to thrive when spring rolls around. Your future self will be glad you got a head start!