How to Overwinter Geraniums Indoors: Three Methods by Fall Frost Timing
The short answer
You can overwinter geraniums three ways: as potted houseplants, as rooted cuttings or as dormant bare root plants. Start before the first fall frost and choose only healthy plants. Each method needs a cool spot and some care until plants go back outside after the last spring frost.
Geraniums are tender perennials. In frost free climates, they live for years. Elsewhere, a little effort in fall saves favorite plants for next season.
What are the three ways to overwinter geraniums?
The first method is to grow whole plants as houseplants. Dig or lift them, pot them up, trim them back and grow them in a bright window.
The second method is to take cuttings. Snip tip cuttings, root them indoors and grow the young plants through winter.
The third method is dormant storage. Lift plants, shake off the soil and store them bare root in a cool, dry place until spring.
The Illinois Extension article on how to overwinter geraniums walks through all three methods and their pros and cons.
| Method | Space needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Potted houseplant | Bright window | Continues blooming some. Can get leggy |
| Rooted cuttings | Small pots in a bright spot | Takes little space. Young, vigorous plants |
| Dormant bare root | Cool, dry storage | No light needed. Some plants may not survive |
Sources: Illinois Extension, University of Wisconsin Extension, Iowa State University Extension.
When should you start?
Start before the first fall frost. Frost damages leaves and stems, and damaged plants overwinter poorly.
Our post on frost damage on cannabis shows what frost does to tender plant tissue.
Pick only healthy plants. Skip any with spotted leaves, soft stems or insects. Check the undersides of leaves for pests before bringing plants indoors.
How do you grow geraniums as houseplants?
Lift plants from the garden or bring in containers. Pot garden plants into fresh potting mix in pots big enough for their roots.
Cut plants back by about a third to half. That reduces stress and holds them compact.
Place them in your sunniest window. A south facing window works well. Cool room temperatures help plants stay sturdy.
Water when the top of the mix feels dry. Overwatering is the top problem indoors.
The Iowa State University Extension answer on overwintering geraniums indoors explains care for potted plants and rooted cuttings over winter.
How do you root cuttings?
Take tip cuttings a few inches long from healthy stems. Cut below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves.
Let cuttings dry for a few hours so the cut end firms up. Then stick them in moist potting mix, perlite or a blend.
Set cuttings in bright, indirect light. Water sparingly. Too much moisture causes rot.
Roots often form in a few weeks. Gently tug a cutting. Resistance means roots are growing.
Our post on how to make cannabis clones covers taking and rooting cuttings in detail. Our post on rooting hormone for cannabis clones explains whether hormone helps, which also applies to geraniums.
How do you store dormant geraniums?
Lift plants before frost. Shake soil from the roots.
Hang plants upside down in a cool, dry basement or store them in paper bags. The space should stay cool but above freezing.
Check them monthly. If stems shrivel, soak the roots in water for an hour or two, then let them drain and return them to storage.
The University of Wisconsin Extension article on overwintering tender geraniums covers dormant storage and how to wake plants in late winter.
Can geraniums stay in the garage?
Only if the garage stays above freezing. An unheated garage in a cold climate often drops too low. A cool basement is often a better choice.
How do you prepare for spring?
In late winter, prune potted plants back to encourage bushy growth. Pot up dormant plants in fresh mix and water them. Move all plants to bright light.
Harden plants off before moving them outside. Set them outdoors after the last spring frost.
Which geraniums overwinter well?
Common zonal geraniums, with round leaves and bold flower heads, overwinter well by all three methods. Ivy geraniums and scented geraniums do well as potted plants or cuttings.
Pick your favorite colors and top performers. Vigorous, compact plants carry over better than tired, stretched ones.
How to: step by step
- Pick healthy plants before the first frost.
- Pot up whole plants and trim them back, or
- Take tip cuttings and root them, or
- Store bare root plants in a cool, dry spot.
- Check plants through winter.
- Prune and pot up in late winter.
Label each pot with the color or variety. Geraniums look alike without blooms.
Troubleshooting
Leggy plants. Light is low. Add light and pinch back.
Cuttings rot. The soil is too wet. Water less.
Stored plants shrivel. They’re too dry. Soak roots briefly.
Yellow leaves. Water is too heavy. Let the mix dry between waterings.
Few blooms in spring. Plants are stretched. Prune and give more light.
With a little care in fall, favorite geraniums return year after year. Kind Seed Co shares more garden projects in outdoor growing.
Sources
- How to overwinter geraniums for next year’s garden, Illinois Extension, How to overwinter geraniums for next year’s garden
- Overwintering tender geraniums, University of Wisconsin Extension Horticulture, Overwintering tender geraniums
- How can I over winter my geraniums indoors?, Iowa State University Extension, How can I over winter my geraniums indoors?
FAQ
Which method is easiest?
Many find rooted cuttings easiest. They take little space and grow vigorously.
Can geraniums stay in the garage?
Only if it stays above freezing.
How long do cuttings take to root?
Usually a few weeks.
When can geraniums go back outside?
After the last spring frost, once hardened off.
Should I cut geraniums back before bringing them in?
Yes. Trim by about a third to half.
