Looking after native seedlings before planting

After seedlings leave the nursery

Seedlings start responding to their environment as soon as they leave the nursery. The longer they are held (not planted), the more likely they are to experience stress. This stress can reduce seedling survival and growth after planting. Good transport, handling, storage, and planting straightaway reduces this risk.

Ideally, plant seedlings within a few days of delivery to minimise stress. If that is not possible, many seedlings can be held longer with careful holding practices and regular checks.

How long seedlings can be safely held depends on:

• type of container the seedlings are in
• seedling species
• weather
• how you store and water the seedlings.

Ask your supplier for help

The main thing to remember is to check with your nursery or supplier for guidance about your specific seedlings. They’ll be able to tell you how long you can hold your seedlings for before planting, how much water they need, and if they need to be in chilled storage.

Transporting seedlings to the planting site

Seedlings can be damaged when you transport them to your site. Careful handling and protection are essential from the moment the seedlings leave the nursery.

While transporting seedlings it’s important to:

• protect them from wind and direct sun – this includes high-speed airflow on uncovered vehicles
• avoid stacking or loading the seedlings too tightly to prevent bent stems or crushed leaves
• transport them in the cooler parts of the day
• plant them as soon as possible after they arrive at the site.

If planting is delayed

Delays are sometimes unavoidable. Weather, site access, and logistics can all push timelines out. If a delay happens, try to reduce seedling stress while you hold the seedlings until you can plant them.

To do this you can:

• shelter the seedlings from extreme temperatures – for longer delays, ask your nursery whether they recommend chilled storage for your seedlings
• manage airflow
• keep the root plug moist.

What to focus on during the holding time

If you need to hold seedlings, focus on the basics to keep them in good condition.

Storing the seedlings

Good storage usually means shelter, shade, and airflow. Enclosed spaces that trap heat and humidity, or exposed positions in full sun and wind, tend to increase stress during holding.

Some forestry-grade seedlings may be held in chilled storage or in purpose-built storage pods. Avoid storing seedlings below about 4 degrees Celsius unless supplier guidance says otherwise.

Where possible, keep the seedlings off the ground. Doing this can help reduce exposure to pests and improve drainage.

Container and seedling types affect holding times

How long you can hold seedlings outside the nursery depends on the size and type of container they are in.

Smaller containers tend to dry out faster and become constrained sooner. Larger containers can give more buffer time, but they still need regular care and can cost more to transport and plant.

Storing bare root seedlings

Bare root seedlings need different care from container-grown seedlings. Plant bare root seedlings within a few days of delivery where possible.

If you need to hold them, keep them cool and moist and protect roots from drying out in sun and wind. Keep roots covered in their packaging until planting.

Holding native seedlings

Native species vary significantly in how they respond to planting delays. Some species and root types cope better than others, which affects how long they can be safely held before planting. These differences affect how you plan planting order and manage holding time on site.

Species such as Cordyline australis (cabbage tree, tī kōuka), and Coprosma robusta (karamū) tend to tolerate longer holding periods.

Plants with fleshy or delicate roots are often more sensitive to drying and disturbance than species with woody root systems.

Other species that are slower to develop and more sensitive to disruption include:

• Pseudopanax species (fivefinger, puahou and lancewood, horoeka)
• Myoporum laetum (ngaio, mousehole tree)
• Podocarpus tōtara (tōtara).

Holding exotic seedlings

Pine and other exotic forestry seedlings can be hardier than some native species. Most forestry companies aim to have exotic seedlings planted as soon as possible (within a week of delivery). They will maintain good practice in storage and handling right up until planting. If planting is delayed, seedlings may need chilled storage depending on seedling type and conditions.

Exotic planting is often done at scale. This means seedling quality can quickly decline if there are delays or if seedlings are exposed to heat, wind, frost, or poor ventilation. Clear roles, planning, and regular checks during storage and staging help prevent avoidable losses.

Some forestry-grade seedlings may arrive as bare root seedlings, boxed for quick planting. Keep them cool and shaded, and avoid leaving the boxes in sun, wind, or frost.

Healthy and unhealthy seedlings

Use this as a guide as different species can look different at the same age.

In general, healthy seedlings have firm stems, and healthy leaves. They should be well rooted for their container size (not falling apart or severely root-bound).

Seedlings may not be ready, or suitable, to plant if they have:

• soft, damaged, or discoloured stems
• leaves that are consistently yellowing, browning, or dropping
• a root plug that is crumbling apart, bone dry, or waterlogged
• visible mould, fungal growth, or significant pest damage.

If seedlings show clear signs of disease or severe stress, it may be worth pausing before planting and getting advice on next steps.