Geraniums can be overwintered inside in three different ways: as a houseplant, as a dormant bare root, or as cuttings. Your decision will be influenced by the amount of room you have indoors and the range of temperatures you can tolerate. Here is a closer examination of each method.
Overwintering geraniums as houseplants
If you want to keep the entire potted plant and have lots of room close to a window that gets bright, direct light, go with this option. A draughty west-facing window would be the ideal place for your potted geranium to spend the winter because geraniums prefer it chilly (55 to 65 F is optimum).
Wash the foliage well with your hose and repot the plant in new potting soil to prevent bringing unwanted pests from outside. You might also use insecticidal soap, which is sold in most garden centres and hardware stores as well as online. Avoid taking the plant indoors if it shows any signs of pests or illness. Only strong plants have a chance of successfully overwintering indoors.
During the winter, keep the soil wet but not damp. No more humidity is required. If the stems begin to sag, pinch them back to keep the plant compact throughout the winter. When springtime comes around, you may start fertilising once more and transfer the plant back outside as soon as the temperature reliably rises above 50 F.
Overwintering geraniums as dormant bare root plants
This is the most typical way to overwinter geraniums, but it won’t work unless you have a dark, dry place that stays around 50 degrees throughout the winter.
First, dig up your geranium before it freezes and shake the dirt off the roots. To stop mould from forming, let the plant sit and dry for a few days before storage. Before moving onto the following phase, the roots must be completely dry.
The roots should be kept in a dark, dry place that doesn’t get colder than 45 degrees throughout the winter. Geranium roots should be kept at a temperature of 50 F. You can keep them by doing:
- It has been customary for generations to hang the plants upside-down from the rafters;
- placing them on a shelf after wrapping them in newspaper or a paper bag;
- they were put in a cardboard box.
Step 3: Every month or so, look for mould, black leaves, or limp stems at the roots. Remove any plant or root components that are harmful. Most of the stems should endure the winter in good shape. Before re-storing them if they become too wilted, give them a good bath in water and let them air dry.
Step 4: Reviving your geraniums involves cleaning them up, pruning the stems back to healthy green growth, and replanting them in new potting soil about six weeks before your final frost date. Where the new roots will grow, bury the stems two nodes deep. When you notice fresh growth in one to two weeks, keep the plants somewhat dry; after that, keep the soil moist until the plants are big enough to replant outside.
Overwintering geraniums as cuttings
If your light windowsill area is limited or you are concerned that bringing in your entire potted plant would also attract unwanted bugs, this is a nice technique to try. Additionally, it’s a fantastic way to multiply your existing geraniums.
To trim plants, you’ll need:
- a cutting edge.
- Most hardware stores and garden centres sell rooting hormone, which is sold online.
- Use little terracotta or plastic pots, or recycle a clear takeaway container for roasted chicken.
- If you don’t eat chicken, use clear plastic bags to cover the pans.
Can I keep geraniums in pots outside during the winter?
Geraniums are frequently planted in containers, which is a fantastic option if you want to overwinter them.
In the fall, before the first frost, if your geraniums are already in pots, you can simply relocate the pots under cover into a sunny, airy, and frost-free location, such a greenhouse or conservatory.
According to David Taylor, vice chairman of the UK Pelargonium and Geranium Society, “the best area would be a greenhouse and the ideal climate would be to have a heater in place to preserve temperatures above freezing when frost does threaten.” (new tab opens) (PAGS).
You can dig up, repot, and move the pots under cover if your geraniums were grown in a border.
Geraniums should always be pruned back before being brought indoors, whether they are already potted or have been removed from the border and repotted, according to David Taylor of PAGS.
“First, you should prune your plants back by roughly two-thirds; if lifting from outside beds, they could need to be pruned down by three-quarters or perhaps more. Do this pruning only while the roots are dry; otherwise, the remaining stems will wither.”
‘Also, get rid of any diseased, damaged, or dead sections you see. Make sure they are bug-free before bringing them inside for the winter,’ adds Emily Fernandes, a Californian small-space gardener and HouseGrail expert (opens in new tab).
Geraniums are best kept in a semi-dormant state while enclosed, as this means they won’t need as much water or food. “Place them in a partially sunny area, water them every two to three weeks, and maintain a humidity level of about 50%.” According to Emily Fernandes, a consultant at HouseGrail, “they go dormant over the winter like most other plants to store their energy for the growing season” (opens in new tab).
How are geraniums maintained outside throughout the winter?
Geraniums are incredibly simple to store for the winter—just place them in a cardboard box or a paper bag and secure the top. The following advice will help them survive:
- Maintain geraniums in a cool, dry area with a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees F.
- Once a month or so, remove dried leaves from the bag or box and check for mould.
- Check the stems quickly at the same time; they should be stiff. Throw away any dried-out, shrivelled stems you uncover.
- If you see that the plants are becoming really dry and crispy, give them a brief soak in water.
- Plants with stems that appear to be blackened or mildewed should be disposed away.
Geraniums are typically kept in a sack upside down. Although the exact cause is unknown, one idea holds that it does so by pushing moisture into the stems. Whatever the cause, storing them in this manner is neither harmful nor necessarily harmful.
How should geraniums be cared for over the winter?
Geraniums have the advantage of easily entering dormancy, allowing for storage in a manner akin to that of sensitive bulbs. This method of storing geraniums for the winter entails digging the plant up in the fall and carefully removing the soil from the roots. The roots should not be spotless, just clear of dirt clumps.
In a room with a constant temperature of roughly 50 degrees Fahrenheit, such as your garage or basement, hang the plants upside down (10 C.). Rehang the geranium plant after soaking the roots in water for an hour once a month. All of the leaves on the geranium will fall off, but the stems will still be alive. Replant the dormant geraniums in the ground in the spring, and they will come to life.
Are geraniums winter-hardy in the UK?
Dr. Hessayon has provided practical gardening guidance to millions of gardeners, and his most recent book is jam-packed with fascinating horticultural trivia. This excerpt explains how you can reduce the price of your summer displays the following year.
Geraniums continue to be an essential component of our summer bedding designs. Everywhere you look, you see the striking umbels of red, pink, and white blooms, but any botanist will tell you that the bedding ‘geranium’ is actually the zonal pelargonium, not a geranium at all. Look attentively at the leaves; almost all kinds have a characteristic horseshoe zone or marking.
Geraniums don’t do well in the English winter, so bring them inside to prepare for the next year.
Although less common, the ivy-leaved pelargoniums, which droop over window boxes and hanging baskets, are just as helpful. The perennial shrubby geranium displays that cover hillsides and even balconies in more favoured climates will sadly not survive the typical British winter for us.
Bedding geraniums shouldn’t be thrown away at the end of the summer just because they are frost-sensitive; they are far too expensive for that. Dig out the plants and shake off the soil around the roots before the first frosts come. They should be placed in pots that are just large enough to accommodate the roots and filled with seed and cutting compost.
Half the stems’ height should be maintained, and dead flower heads and yellowing leaves should be removed. Place the pots in a cool greenhouse or an unheated spare room. After spending the entire summer outdoors, the plants will be worn down and shouldn’t be handled like indoor plants that need to be encouraged to bloom. On no account should they be kept warm; they need to relax. Don’t feed them, and only water when it’s absolutely necessary to prevent the leaves from wilting.
When spring arrives, place the pots in a bright area and up the watering, but avoid forcing them into active development with feeding and excessive watering. Transplant the geraniums outside as soon as there is no threat of frost so they can develop once again and offer a summer-long display.
By following this protocol, you’ll be able to overwinter your bedding pelargoniums and avoid having to pay for new ones in May or June. This process has several iterations depending on the facilities you have access to. In September, if you have a greenhouse, you can take cuttings from your outdoor plants to dramatically increase the number of plants you have and have a greater show the next season.
However, if you don’t have a greenhouse or a spare room for geranium pots, you might try hanging the old plants throughout the winter in the garage. Before the first frosts, dig up the plants and shake all the soil from the roots. A small group of the plants can be tied together and hung upside down from the garage’s roof. Give them a little dusting of fungicidal powder, such as sulphur, and wait until the spring. Before potting or planting outdoors, soak the roots.
- Adapted from The Bedside Book of the Garden by Dr. D. G. Hessayon, published in 2008 by Expert Books for $12.99. Call 0845 155 0720 to place a copy order (p&p are free).
For the winter, should geraniums be pruned back?
You should prune a perennial geranium after it has bloomed all season and starts to wither. This helps the plant store energy for the spring while simultaneously keeping it dormant for the winter. This could need to happen any time between August and late October, depending on your zone. Cut perennial geraniums down to 2 or 3 inches above the soil with a pair of trustworthy shears, ideally at nodes or new growth points. Take out any more flowers or foliage. You’ll have a collection of thick stems that is really ugly. But don’t panic, your blooms will return in full bloom the following spring.
Will my geraniums survive the winter indoors?
Pelargonium species, which come in pots, make great indoor plants that may be grown all year round. They normally become available in March through June, and if given enough light inside the house, they will bloom continuously. There are several fresh varieties, like vining and hanging basket cultivars. They are available in many different types of containers and at varying stages of development.
Bring Inside as Houseplants
You can bring your potted geraniums (Pelargoniums) indoors for the winter if you have space for them in a sunny place.
While they require sunlight, they thrive in temperatures between 55 and 65 °F (12-18C). I have tremendous luck keeping the air around them a touch colder than the rest of the home with a west-facing window that is slightly draughty.
Dig Up and Repot if Desired
To make sure they are content, healthy, and bug-free, some preparation is needed.
- Before the first frost, dig up and container your geraniums if they are in the ground.
- If they are already in pots, you can repot them if you want, but first perform a rigorous pruning and a bug inspection (see below).
- Trim any extremely long roots or any unkempt root balls before potting.
- Put flowering plants in containers using potting soil made for them.
Hard Prune
- Cutting back the entire plant by between one-third and half is an usual recommendation.
- Any dead, broken, mouldy, sick, or diseased pieces should also be taken out.
- If the plant is otherwise good and healthy, you can try keeping any buds or blossoms even though this harsh pruning is ultimately ideal.
Hardy Geraniums vs. Pelargoniums
Pelargoniums should not be confused with hardy geraniums. You might be wondering what makes a geranium different from a pelargonium. Similar to some siblings, they are both members of the same plant family, but they could not be more unlike.
Pelargoniums cannot withstand frost, while hardy geraniums can. Pelargoniums are usually treated as annuals and replanted each year, but true hardy geraniums are perennials that grow back every year. Pelargoniums die in the winter.
Prune your Hardy Geraniums
Your sturdy geraniums will look their best and promote new growth if you prune them properly. By correctly pruning your hardy geraniums after the blooming season, you can encourage repeat blooming. The majority of geraniums can be cut back twice in a single season, which allows them to bloom at least three times.
When to Prune
Your hardy geraniums should be pruned in accordance with the season you are in. Rozanne will require various cuts in the spring, summer, and fall. To maintain your blooms rich and healthy, mark your calendar and adhere to our seasonal trimming recommendations.
What tools you need
Your geraniums may be pruned fairly easily. All you’ll need is the ability to prune, a pair of sharp pruners, your favourite mulch, and your favourite gardening gloves. Watch this video to learn more about pruning strategies in detail.
How to prune
You shouldn’t be concerned that pruning your flower’s back will harm her. The majority of hardy geraniums require trimming to promote new growth and prevent them from encroaching upon other plants.
Trim the plant back to within a few inches of the ground or to about an inch above the main stem once the flowering is completed or you find old growth. Remove any brown stems or yellow leaves after that by going inside.
Soon after trimming, more leaves will start to appear. Some resilient geraniums even have the ability to blossom again. Maintaining correct pruning on your plants encourages new development and keeps them from spilling out throughout your landscape.
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