What To Do With Geraniums In Winter – Save Your Favorite Blooms
It is always a bit bittersweet when the first frost of autumn begins to settle on the garden. You have spent all summer enjoying those vibrant clusters of red, pink, and white, and now the cold threatens to take them away.
You don’t have to treat these stunning bloomers as annuals because they are actually perennials that can live for many years. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what to do with geraniums in winter so you can enjoy bigger, bushier plants next season without spending a dime.
Whether you want to keep them blooming on a sunny windowsill or tuck them away in a dark basement, I have a method that will work for your space. Don’t worry—these flowers are incredibly resilient and perfect for beginners to experiment with!
Understanding the Nature of Your Geraniums
Before we dive into the “how-to,” we need to clear up a little bit of plant naming confusion that often trips up new gardeners. Most of the plants we call geraniums are actually Pelargoniums, which are tender perennials native to South Africa.
These plants love the heat and sunshine but will turn to mush the moment a hard freeze hits. True hardy geraniums (Cranesbill) can stay in the ground, but our colorful potted friends need a warm place to hide from the snow.
When you are deciding what to do with geraniums in winter, timing is everything. You want to start the process before the first frost hits, or at the very least, immediately after a very light touch of frost has nipped the leaves but not the stems.
Saving these plants is not just about saving money; it’s about the maturity of the plant. A three-year-old geranium is a magnificent sight, offering a woody structure and a flower count that a small nursery starter plant simply cannot match.
The Best Methods for what to do with geraniums in winter
There is no single “right” way to save your plants, as the best method depends on how much space you have and how much effort you want to put in. I have tried every method under the sun, and they all have their unique charms.
Some gardeners prefer to keep the green foliage alive all year, while others prefer the “set it and forget it” approach of dormancy. Let’s look at the three most reliable ways to ensure your garden survives the big freeze.
Method 1: The Dormant Bare-Root Storage
This is the classic “old-fashioned” way that our grandparents used to save their flowers. It sounds a bit scary to pull a plant out of its soil and shove it in a bag, but I promise it works beautifully for zonal geraniums.
First, carefully dig up your plants and gently shake the soil off the roots. You don’t need to wash them; a little bit of remaining dirt is perfectly fine and actually helps protect the root hairs.
Next, find a cool, dark, and dry place like a basement or a crawl space that stays around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the plants upside down in paper bags or wrap them in several layers of newspaper to keep them dark.
Check on them once a month to make sure the stems aren’t shriveling up too much. If they look bone-dry, give the roots a very quick misting with water, but don’t soak them, or you’ll invite rot.
Method 2: Bringing Them Indoors as Houseplants
If you have a sunny, south-facing window, you can simply treat your geraniums like any other houseplant. This is the most rewarding method because you might even get a few winter blooms!
Before bringing them in, check very carefully for “hitchhikers” like aphids or spider mites. I usually give my plants a gentle spray with a hose and then a treatment of neem oil to ensure I’m not bringing pests into my home.
Prune the plant back by about one-third to help it adjust to the lower light levels indoors. This reduces the stress on the root system and encourages the plant to grow new, compact foliage rather than getting “leggy.”
Water sparingly during the winter months, as the plant’s growth will slow down significantly. Wait until the top inch of soil is completely dry before giving them a drink, and skip the fertilizer until the days start getting longer in March.
Method 3: Taking Softwood Cuttings
If your mother plants are too large or look a bit ragged, taking cuttings is a fantastic way to start fresh. This is my favorite method when I want to create dozens of new plants for a large border or window box.
Look for healthy, non-flowering stems and cut a 4-inch piece just below a node (the little bump where a leaf meets the stem). Remove the lower leaves, leaving only two or three at the very top.
Dip the end in a bit of rooting hormone and stick it into a small pot filled with a light, well-draining seed-starting mix. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and place the pots in a bright spot out of direct sunlight.
In about 3 to 4 weeks, the cuttings will develop their own roots. By the time spring rolls around, you will have a collection of vigorous young plants ready to take on the world!
Essential Supplies for Overwintering Success
You don’t need a professional greenhouse to succeed, but having a few basic tools on hand will make the process much smoother and more enjoyable. Most of these items are likely already in your garden shed.
- Sharp Pruning Shears: Clean cuts are vital to prevent disease. Always wipe your blades with rubbing alcohol between plants.
- High-Quality Potting Mix: If you are potting them up, use a fresh, sterile mix rather than garden soil, which can be too heavy and contain pathogens.
- Paper Bags: These are essential for the bare-root method as they allow the plant to breathe while keeping light out.
- Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap: A must-have for the transition indoors to keep your other houseplants safe from pests.
- Rooting Hormone: While not strictly necessary, it significantly increases the success rate of your winter cuttings.
Using the right materials shows you are a diligent gardener who cares about the health of your plants. It’s these small details that separate a successful overwintering project from a compost pile disaster.
Troubleshooting Common Winter Geranium Problems
Even the most experienced gardeners run into trouble occasionally. The key is to catch the problem early before it spreads to your entire collection. Here are the “big three” issues you might face.
The most common killer of winter geraniums is overwatering. In the cold, dark months, the plant’s metabolism slows down, and it cannot process water as quickly. If the stems feel mushy or turn black, you are likely watering too much.
If you see a grey, fuzzy mold on the leaves, you are dealing with Botrytis. This is caused by poor air circulation and high humidity. Simply snip off the affected leaves and move the plant to a spot with better airflow.
Lastly, keep an eye out for “leggy” growth. This happens when the plant is trying to reach for more light. If your geraniums look like they are on stilts, don’t be afraid to pinch back the growing tips to encourage a bushier shape.
If you notice tiny black flies buzzing around the soil, those are fungus gnats. They love wet soil! Let the pots dry out completely between waterings, and the gnats will usually disappear on their own.
Waking Your Plants Up in the Spring
As the days grow longer in late February or early March, your dormant geraniums will start to show signs of life. This is the most exciting part of the process! You’ll see tiny green nubs appearing on the woody stems.
If you used the bare-root method, it’s time to pot them up. Soak the roots in a bucket of room-temperature water for an hour, then plant them in fresh potting soil. Place them in a sunny window and water them lightly.
For the plants that stayed as houseplants, this is the time to give them a hard prune. Cut them back to about 4 inches tall to stimulate a flush of new, healthy growth. This might feel “mean,” but the plant will thank you with a massive explosion of flowers.
Start a regular fertilization schedule once you see active new leaves. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength every two weeks will give them the fuel they need to prepare for the outdoor season.
Don’t rush them outside! Wait until the nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Gradually “harden them off” by placing them in a shaded outdoor spot for a few hours a day, slowly increasing their sun exposure over a week.
Frequently Asked Questions About what to do with geraniums in winter
Can I leave my geraniums in the ground if I mulch them heavily?
In most climates (Zones 8 and lower), the answer is unfortunately no. Geranium stems are very succulent and full of water, meaning they freeze and burst easily. Mulch will protect the roots, but the main crown of the plant will almost certainly rot in freezing temperatures.
How do I know if my bare-root geranium is still alive?
Use your fingernail to gently scratch a tiny bit of the bark on the main stem. If the tissue underneath is green and moist, your plant is alive and well! If it is brown, brittle, and snaps easily, that part of the plant has sadly passed on.
Should I remove the flowers before storing them for winter?
Yes, absolutely. Flowering takes a massive amount of energy from the plant. When you are preparing for winter, you want the plant to focus all its remaining resources on survival and root health. Snip off all flowers and any developing buds before storage.
Is it worth the effort to decide what to do with geraniums in winter?
I certainly think so! Beyond the cost savings, overwintered geraniums develop thick, woody stems that produce far more blooms than young nursery plants. There is also a great sense of pride in seeing a plant thrive year after year under your careful watch.
Conclusion: Your Spring Garden Starts Now
Learning what to do with geraniums in winter is a true “level up” moment for any gardener. It shifts your perspective from seeing plants as disposable decor to seeing them as long-term companions in your landscape.
Whether you choose the simplicity of the paper bag method or the joy of keeping them on your windowsill, the effort is minimal compared to the reward. Imagine the satisfaction of planting out massive, established geraniums next May while everyone else is standing in line at the garden center.
Don’t be afraid to fail with a few plants—gardening is all about experimentation. Even if only half of your plants make it through the first time, you’ve still doubled your garden for free!
So, grab your shears, find a cool corner in your basement, and give your geraniums the winter nap they deserve. Your future self will thank you when those first bright red petals unfurl in the spring sun. Go forth and grow!
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