Growing Polianthes (Tuberose)

Latin Name Pronunciation: pol-ee-an'thuss

Needs full sun and well-drained soil. Fully hardy to Zone 8 (10° to 20° F), and bulbs will overwinter in Zone 7 (0° to 10° F) if mulched heavily in fall. Store dormant bulbs at a temperature between 60° and 75° For a head start in climates where the growing season is short, plant bulbs upon arrival in a nursery pot and set in a warm sunny window. Transplant into the garden after the shoots have pushed up through the potting mix. By then, the weather should be warm enough to encourage speedy growth. Perhaps because of our short season, overwintered bulbs rarely bloom again for us. We start with fresh bulbs every spring.