Complete Guide to Overwintering Geraniums

In this video, Dave explains everything you need to know about how to store geraniums over winter so that they flower again in Spring next year.
It can appear as if geraniums have retired as it starts to get colder, but there’s no need to throw them away. With these techniques, you can ensure that they are stored correctly throughout the colder months so that they bloom again come Spring.
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[@AstridSaunders]

Excellent video. Just pure gold gardening information shared. Thank you

[@katepavelle9465]

Thank you so much for sharing! My granma in Prague used to overwinter her geraniums in the unheated staircase of our house, right by the windows. I was a kid so I didn’t pay too much attention, but I knew there was cutting involved, and then a certain level of fuss until spring 😄. Her plants were huge for that climate. She never took cuttings, but her biggest plant had a pride of place on top of our garden staircase, in a big pot, and was knee-high on an adult. In the 90’s, my husband and I visited San Francisco and when I saw their geraniums, I began possessed with geranium envy! The plants grew form little patches of soil between the concrete footpath and the house wall, and they reached up to my chest! Their stems were so thick on the bottom, I couldn’t reach around with my thumb and forefinger. They looked lush and gorgeous, and loved that climate. (I wish she could’ve seen them!) Currently we live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the US. Our climate has 4 seasons and the winters have deep freezes, but snow is spotty. Now with climate change, it can be unpredictably cold or mild. We get dry freeze, too, so I mulch all my outdoor plant with wood chips. I tried overwintering geraniums last year. The plant in my heated office (no pruning, full light and water) got all leggy, but it survived. I had to cut it way back before planting outside. The second plant, in a half-heated den by the window, dried out. I thought it was hibernating but we often have only 20% humidity, so this time I will give my plants a bit of water here and there.

[@shannonmuessman2232]

Kate, we lived in North Dakota for several years, and always had Geraniums. My school boss brought potted ones and kept them in the cafeteria and hallway windows. -- They stayed there for years and bloomed beautifully all the time, regardless of the season. I discovered that she'd pinch off the seeds (pointed) that periodically came through the top of flower pedals, so by not "going to seed", they continued to flower! Now, I do that, too! HaPpY HaPpY Geraniums Memories to You & Me All Year Round! xo

[@leeway4451]

Last yr. I brought my geraniums inside and they grew all winter under a grow light. As soon as the weather broke I took them back outside. They are just beautiful. one plant had 30 flowers on it. I am bringing them in again this yr. I was just experimenting . Very surprised.

[@scottishdancer8823]

that's brilliant, dave. thankyou so much. love the friend in the background going "yeah". lovely video, great info. so clear .

[@mrscaldwell3147]

Thank you for your information; this will be my first attempt to overwinter this plant!

[@mickydub3]

As a novice gardener i found this very informative ...... " Many Thanks " .

[@magsmcqueen249]

Very easy to understand and follow. Will be trying it out this weekend. Look forward to spring video. Thanks for sharing.

[@user-yz5lz5ko5f]

Very clear instructions. Thank you. Will do.

[@joebarrett4353]

Brilliant advice. Thank you

[@1943L]

Nice and clear information, thanks.

[@michaellyne8773]

Many thanks for your tutorial, keeping geraniums over the winter period, you have given me an idea in making a shelf in our small shed. Very clear tutorial, many thanks, have a great day 😊

[@melluques8475]

I’ll try this on the pot tomorrow and bring them to my kitchen. Thank you🙏🏻

[@isabelchilian2930]

Thank you for sharing your expertise. Great video. Iiked and subscribed. Watching you from Ontario Canada

[@maryvalentage6403]

This was very helpful and to the point Thank you for the information

[@misstrekfreak]

Great info 🫵🏻👍🏻

[@amyohl5037]

Thank you ever so much.

[@faridayasmin8051]

Informative video Thanks for sharing

[@AlanBrownPhotography]

This is a great tip. Our winters (Vermont) are very cold and I don't have a lot of room under indoor grow lights. I'll try potting up as described and store down in the basement - assuming they don't need much light if dormant.

[@dustyflats3832]

Another great helpful video! I already lifted mine, but I seen so many different ways to do this. I cut all the leaves off and put roots up in a cardboard box. Some leave the leaves on and I think they will mold. With any luck I will be able to save these huge plants I grew from seed!👏🏼👏🏼

[@mollypitcher9380]

Thanks!

[@wingabouts]

My insulated garage dips to about 55 F during the coldest part of winter. I will put mine there this winter. There's only a north facing window but hopefully that is enough light. Thank you for the video. I have a gorgeous grouping of geraniums in a large pot. I was fortunate to find just the right combination of colors this year - the blend is stunning! I'm so excited to think it might last through till spring!

[@gardentours]

Thanks for sharing 🌱🌸👍

[@enviiuk]

No problem, thank you for watching!

[@cherylhaskell9830]

Thank you

[@capablemaria]

Thankyou,i have had some extra lovely huge plants this year,and i was wondering how to preserve them for next year, this is very helpful. I shall leave them in their huge pot &move into the unheated green house & keep dry. Fingers crossed .

[@5670gemini]

Very helpful - thankyou - look forward to the cuttings video in spring!

[@AshHum1955]

I replanted the old plant and had a wonderful show of white. Hopefully will try it again next spring for a 3rd year !!!

[@pablo9364]

Very nice video , I have to call these pelargoniums

[@lindamastropietro4429]

I left mine in the house in the sunny location and they grew through the winter and then I put the pots back out

[@davidmorley7354]

I liked the comments in the background! Aaay thet's raigght!

[@veroniquesterckendries9143]

Thanks for your clear instructions. I have french geraniums that grew a lot this year (they are like 30 cm long). Should I shorten them? I hope you can help me survive them as I really like them.

[@roontunes]

I got geranium rust this year, never seen it before and it was a struggle all summer to manage it. I might have to dump them all and get new next spring but it seems it's in nursery stock as well

[@martinhorridge4794]

Thank you. Very informative video. Approximately when will you produce a video showing how to take cuttings?

[@enviiuk]

Thanks for watching Martin, glad you found it useful. We will most likely take the cuttings in Spring 2023 so stay tuned and we will demonstrate how this is done!

[@tinaknutsen]

Martin Horridge; 1) spray plant w/ insecticide or neem oil. 2) remove flowers, buds, dead leaves any rotted stems..you can tell by gently squeezing the stem it will feel soft, mushy or hollow. 3) cut just below leaf node 4”-6” from the tip. Remove lower leaves, so you have a few inches of bare stem.

[@pogojet]

Thank you. BTW 30 degrees fahrenheit is below freezing (32).

[@alinafrost7796]

If the plants are already in pots do you suggest repotting the, or just let them dry off etc

[@ruthiehardee8805]

I follow your tips and clips - they are great. But I have a question: I live in Colorado (4B zone), have a huge high shelf in a heated garage that can house my 40 gorgeous geranium potted plants with mixed annuals and perennials. I have clipped them all back, sprinkled systemic house plant insect control granules on soil near roots and they are ready for winter. There will be blast of cold when we open & close the garage door all winter, there is also light coming in from overhead lighting. Garage stays about 65- during the winter. They sit high so heat rises. Do I need to put paper bags over each pot so they think they’re in dormancy or just let them be and water very little once a month?

[@litzacats5628]

❤

[@user-ik3qz5du5h]

Won't a hard frost in an unheated greenhouse kill them? My Oxfordshire greenhouse got to minus nine last winter.

[@judysmith9642]

didn't read ALL the comments......but wish you had said something about using your cutting tool and perhaps spreading any diseases from what you were cutting off and going on to the next plant without any apparent sterilizing the cutting blades....

[@enviiuk]

Hi Judy, sorry this wasn't clear. We will consider explaining this in future.

[@sofiepekri6635]

Can we overwinter fascia’s in the same way please

[@arlenesinclair9038]

Do I do the same with trailing geraniums

[@wyominghome4857]

Trying this with my one geranium. Does it work with other kinds of plants? I have a pineapple sage I would love to have again for next summer. So far my attempts at getting cuttings have not done well.

[@huguettelarochelle6843]

i bring mine just as they are , and they continue all winter and even flowers i got one for 7 years like that.

[@margaretvanson3601]

Here in New Zealand we just leave them outside. I put my special potted ones under trees, and that's about all. The ones left in the main borders just snuggle up to their neighbours.

[@leswall3061]

Does this apply to summer bedding Geraniums? great video

[@enviiuk]

Yes, absolutely! Thanks for watching.

[@maryjones4029]

Very clear directions. I've overwintered geraniums before but not all of them survive and some seem to lack roots. Based on your guide I think it might be because I've put them away when the soil has been too damp. I also tend to get mouldy leaves and I'm thinking it's possibly because moisture may be dropping from the insulated plastic covered greenhouse onto the leaves. Do you have a guide for overwintering non-hardy fuchsias?

[@tinaknutsen]

Mary Jones; I take off all flowers, buds and just give your fuschia a haircut taking off about 1/3 of the plant just below the leaf nodes. I place in my non-heated garage with grow lights. I water every 3 weeks- just moistened the soil don’t soak it…that can cause mold on the 🍃 leaves.

[@mollypitcher9380]

Mary Jones- thanks for telling me what NOT to do. I’m a novice. 🌸

[@gillianleyland198]

⁠

[@pumpkineater_69557]

Hmmmm. Those aren’t Geraniums…..😂

[@tsheringdorji5148]

liked bye drrchop fan 👍🙌🦄👼🏽💕

[@patriciaelg1464]

I live in California so I just leave mine outside. I love geraniums but I never know how much to water them.

[@mollypitcher9380]

Must be beautiful.🌸

[@singingelaine]

Great video Dave. Is it OK to keep each geranium in its original pot( I cannot use my limbs easily), cut back as described, leave in cold conservatory but without ventilation?( no window too open!🙁) Can you also just let them keep flowering and treat as a house plant re watering and even feeding?

[@enviiuk]

Yes this will be absolutely fine Louise. Thanks for watching!

[@Anna-jt3xu]

Tried the cardboard box but they rotted so I will try this thank you

[@cathyhaase1550]

I don't have a cool spot for my plants over winter, so I just keep them in their pots and water them over winter. Should I just keep them in their pots and not water them so they go dormant? They bloom all winter. I live in a very cold climate.

[@mypreciousgarden]

Thanks ! For the potted version, does he take cuttings too or he keeps the plant ?

[@MoonSpinners]

It looks like he just keeps the plant, but I’d be tempted to take cuttings too. I take cuttings every year, I root them in water, and I also root them in a pot of compost, they’re easy both ways. 😊

[@mypreciousgarden]

Thanks ! :) @@MoonSpinners

[@MoonSpinners]

@@mypreciousgarden …no problem 👍🤗

[@maggiemathars235]

Great video thanks. Could I keep geraniums in an unheated potting shed which has a window? Would the plants die if temp fell below freezing?

[@tinaknutsen]

Maggie Mathers; Yes your geraniums will die if they freeze. Do you have a way to put a small portable heater on a timer that would keep your shed at 50 degrees? Another option would be a heat lamp, but Not placed close to the plant, just to keep it from freezing. Last option is a heat mat with the plant a few inches above as you don’t want to cook your plant. You will need to check regularly to make sure they aren’t drying out completely nor do you want them soaked. If they look like they are drying out just mist with water bottle. Hope this answers your question.

[@maggiemathars235]

@@tinaknutsen thankyou Tins. That's so helpful. I'll follow your advice!

[@pepsi666]

Mine live in my conservatory, unheated and they still flower I don’t mind, gives a bit of colour during the winter

[@singingelaine]

Do you continue to water them whilst they are in flower like a house plant? Thank you!

[@pepsi666]

@@singingelaine yes, but not very much, just keep the solid damp Put your finger in the soil about 2 inches, just to feel if it’s damp, should be fine

[@mollypitcher9380]

Must be beautiful.🌸

[@hw476]

Can they be stored in a cold frame as we are going to heat our greenhouse this winter ?

[@enviiuk]

Sure, a cold frame will work just fine. Good luck!

[@sarahhayhurst9944]

Is it possible to just bring the plants in, flowers and everything, and have them as indoor plants over winter?

[@enviiuk]

Absolutely!

[@mrsm9443]

Can I ask what compost you use?

[@enviiuk]

We use Bathgate Peat Free Champions Blend 🙂

[@mrsm9443]

Thank you. It looks good

[@petermalna5987]

@@mrsm9443 I overwinter my geraniums in a greenhouse with a small heater to keep the frost at bay, but I never use compost. The idea is to keep the plants just ticking over without them making any growth which would be spindly and weak. Compost you buy from the garden centre contains fertiliser/nutrients which would make the plant grow. I use spent compost and repot with compost in Spring when the new growth starts, never had a problem. I do the same with tender fuchsias.

[@OriginalMariAnnaWolf]

I thought were annual! 😮 what other plants that are said ain't perennial actually are?! What a shame ppl throw away.. I think waste of money too. Knowledge is power! Learn n dig deep about ur plants n experiment if they are perennial! ❤

[@g.johnson3119]

very helpful guide apart from annoying voice in background thought it was a parrot!

[@ritaC345]

Seriously?

[@dustyflats3832]

I think there was feedback in the recording. Not a problem though as it was great quick info for those of us that live in cold country.

[@zuzauramek9850]

It's no geraniums. Its pelargonium. 🤦

[@petermalna5987]

Trivial, who cares?

[@Odo55]

This is not necessary in all climates.

[@gordbaker896]

Great but too much repetition.

[@Liz-qq8pl]

Would have been better if the camera had been on what he was showing us rather than his hands! Otherwise some useful advice.