diff --git a/src/_pytest/main.py b/src/_pytest/main.py
index 61fb7eaa4..79a24632b 100644
--- a/src/_pytest/main.py
+++ b/src/_pytest/main.py
@@ -228,6 +228,22 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser: Parser) -> None:
         ),
     )
 
+    group.addoption(
+        "--tmp-path-retention-count",
+        dest="tmp_path_retention_count",
+        default=3,
+        metavar="num",
+        help="How many sessions should we keep the `tmp_path` directories, according to `tmp_path_retention_policy`.",
+    )
+
+    group.addoption(
+        "--tmp-path-retention-policy",
+        default="failed",
+        choices=["all", "failed", "none"],
+        dest="tmp_path_retention_policy",
+        help="Controls which directories created by the `tmp_path` fixture are kept around, based on test outcome.",
+    )
+
 
 def validate_basetemp(path: str) -> str:
     # GH 7119