How Do You Keep Geraniums in the Winter? Discover how to keep your geraniums alive throughout the winter through a variety of methods.
The Pelargonium x hortorum, or garden geranium, is an annual flower that is popular with home flower growers for their versatility and ease of growing in flower beds, containers, and window boxes. If you have invested time and money into your Geraniums, you can take steps to save them over the winter and replant them in the spring.
Overwintering Cutting Method
This method entails propagating the plant through a cutting and encouraging the cutting to root. These steps should be taken in the fall prior to the first frost.
Fill a pot with a rooting medium intended for containers such as vermiculite.
Cut four-inch pieces from the tips of the flower stems.
Stick the cuttings one inch deep in the soil. Remove any leaves from the stems that are below the soil line. Water thoroughly.
Cover the cuttings with a plastic bag to keep humidity and moisture constant. Place the pot in a sunny window that does not receive a lot of direct sunlight.
Transplant rooted flowers in individual pots with standard potting soil. Water as needed
Fertilize every two months following package directions at half the recommended dose.
Overwintering Potted Plant Method
To save your geranium for next year and enjoy it all winter, you can dig up your flower and re-pot it to grow indoors.
Cut the plant down to ½-1/3 of its original height.
Fill a pot with planting soil intended for indoor containers. The size of the pot will depend on the size of the plant. If in doubt, the bigger, the better.
Plant in the medium and water thoroughly. Water as needed when the soil begins to dry.
Place the container in a cool, sunny location.
Fertilize after one week and then every other month following package directions at half the recommended dose.
Overwintering Dormant Stage Method
Unlike most annuals, geraniums can be revived after drying out without soil if the proper steps are taken.
Dig up the entire plant carefully. Shake the soil from the roots.
Hang them upside down in a cool (45-50 °F) dark location, such as the rafters in the basement.
Dip the stems in water for an hour or two a few times during the winter as needed. The leaves may wither, but the stems should remain healthy.
Re-pot the stems in March. Cut back dead growth. Water and place in a sunny window to allow new growth. Plant outside after the last frost has passed.
Resources
Cornell University – University Cooperative Extension – Care of Geraniums in the Landscape
Iowa State University – Integrated Pest Management – Overwintering Geraniums
