How to Care for Geraniums in Winter

Last Updated: March 11, 2021 Approved

Geraniums are perennials that require special care in the winter because they cannot survive hard frosts. You can, however, overwinter your geraniums and replant them every spring.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Move Geraniums Indoors From Your Garden

1
Prune back your geraniums to about 1/2 of their original height.
2
Use a trowel to carefully dig up each plant.

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3
Put each geranium plant in a pot that is at least 6 to 8” (15.2 to 20.3 cm) in diameter.
4
Set each pot in a sink and water them until they are thoroughly soaked, but not soggy.
5
Place your geranium pots in a sunny window.
6
Monitor the room temperature. Geraniums prefer room temperatures that range from 65° F (18.3° C) during the day to 55° F (12.7° C) during the night.
7
Water your plants when the soil is dry.
8
Pinch off top growth occasionally throughout the winter so your plants produce hardy branches.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Overwinter the Roots

1
Cut back your geranium plant until it is about 1/2 its original height.
2
Dig the geraniums up using a trowel.
3
Gently and carefully shake all the soil from the roots.
4
Place the plant in a large paper bag.
5
Keep the bag in a cool, dry location (45-50° F or 7.2-10° C). Most basements are the perfect temperature for overwintering geraniums.
6
Remove the roots from the bag once a month and soak them for 2 hours.
7
Prune back any foliage in the spring; most of the leaves will have fallen off by spring, but they will be contained in the paper bag.
8
Replant in your garden in the spring when all danger of frost is over.

Community Q&A

Question

Do the pots have to be terra cotta, or are plastic pots ok?

Community Answer

The material from which the pots are constructed have no effect on the plant, though some people prefer terra cotta to plastic because it looks prettier. What does make a difference is the size: the larger the pot, the bigger the plant can grow.
Question

My geraniums that I kept from last year using proper steps are not blooming this year. What can I do?

Community Answer

Add some bone meal to your dirt, maybe a 1/2 teaspoon sprinkled around the plant and worked into the soil, then water.
Question

My friend's geranium was in a window and the weather turned cold. Her plant is brown and dry now. Can it be saved?

Lolwit

Community Answer

It's possible it may survive, the cold has made it go into a "hibernation" type of state, don't water it now but don't let it dry out completely either, add a small amount of water if you have to. When spring brings the warmer weather it should start to grow again. When you see new shoots, spray it with water and begin wetting up the compost. May be even repot it once it starts flourishing using some fresh compost. Take care not to damage too much of its existing rootball.