Drying pelargonium plants and storing indoors. There are different ways to keep geraniums from year to year. Overwatering may cause your geranium stems to rot at the soil level. Before you bring geraniums indoors for the winter, cut the plants back to about one-half their height. I’m sure you know the answer to your question by now….but yes, you have to bring them in. This is their second winter indoors, and I am already enjoying new blossoms, indoors. Cut half of the upper plant growth off your geranium, using pruning shears. Before the first frost, carefully dig up your geraniums and pot them in 6”- 8” diameter containers, with lightweight potting soil. Hi there……saw all of these questions and saw no answers after the comments!! if the freeze would ruin them. There are some basic key requirements and geranium care information you need to know. Gardeners wishing to overwinter their geraniums can try several techniques. Your cuttings need light, but they can’t handle the direct sunshine. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Tonight, (Jan 12, 2018) I noticed that one of the plants actually has a new tiny red bloom! Do geraniums “require” a rest period? A sunny west- or south-facing window (or grow lights) assures that they won't grow spindly. No, geraniums (Pelargoniums) are tender perennials, hardy down to about 45°F (7°C) True geraniums (genus geranium) like cranesbill are hardy perennials. Just cut them back in spring and bring them out again and they will survive. I also spray them because spiders will make webs and other bugs will make holes in the leaves. I’ve already clipped them back by a half. By Spring, it is time to put them outdoors again, and I cut the large plants down to 3-4 inches at the stems. We have very cold and freezing winters here. there are still blooms on it, and many buds yet to come. We tried the unusual method of drying some of our pelargoniums. Helen, I held my geraniams over for the winter, and when I took the plant out of the pot, it had tons of tiny white spots on the outside of the dirt ball. but want to know if I should put in water to root first or can I just plant in pots and they will root that way. Oh yes I love them My house Jeranium and all other go out in pot or ground. THANKS FOR THE HELP.. Garden geraniums are considered annuals throughout all but the warmest areas of North America. Lots of new sprouts. One will put your geranium into dormancy, but if you have a bright sunny spot in your house, you can pot your geranium and let it continue to grow and bloom inside throughout the cold winter months. Again, they cannot be watered from now until end of May when I return. Last year I got several geraniums for outside for my birthday in April. However, by mid June they were all spectacular and healthy looking. The several that I have dug up to check, have roots that seem alive and not limp strings. I also want to be able to keep it in the potted container that it already is in, I live in a apartment and I don’t have much bright light options. You have entered an incorrect email address! Do these need to be cut bacl. Overwintering Geraniums by Growing Them Indoors Geraniums make decent winter houseplants if you can provide them with plenty of bright light. Thank you. Can you grow geraniums indoors during the winter? The plants listed below are especially common for starting indoors. As you know geraniums (Pelargonium) are not winter hardy in cold climate, the best way to grow them year-round is to grow them indoors. Or may just go dormant. thank you in advance for any info. Keep them in pots, or replant them into your landscape for the summer. Put each geranium plant in a pot that is at least 6 to 8” (15.2 to 20.3 cm) in diameter. I live in Indianapolis,Indiana and I have a perennial “Rozanne” hardy Geranium I planted it in a container during the summer. Place in a bright window out of direct sun. You can also take cuttings in the fall, and keep the small potted plants on a window… I read that they can live up to 40 years!!! I want to plant geraniums outside. Tip: We live in WI and have noticed that the “ZONAL geraniums” are the most hardy and successful, considering they are labeled annuals! Some blogs say de-pot them down to their rootball, ‘dry’ the soil, then place them back into the dry soil. and put the pots directly in the pools, in front of a south facing window. Your cuttings should root in 6 to 8 weeks. You just can't beat their bright colors and sturdy, well-shaped foliage. Place the pots on a drainage tray and water thoroughly, ideally from the bottom up (fill the tray with water and allow it to soak to keep from washing away the rooting hormone). Save the cuttings and root them to make more geraniums! I have some I had in the garage in pots during the winter that just needed watered and fed and are in good shape. If I could, I’d post before and after pics because the transformation from winter sad to summer happy was amazing. 3 Can geraniums survive a freeze? After a month or so, they are full grown and blossoming beautifully. I forgot to add that I don’t put them outside in full sun at first. But you can definitely store geraniums in pots over the winter – see instructions above. Water and feed geraniums sparingly throughout the winter months. You can then ‘store’ your geraniums in winter. Pinch off the leaves from the bottom third of the cutting, and remove any flower buds. Here’s how to go about it: Geraniums are perfect for window boxes, but can’t survive freezing weather. Margaret Durkin After my brother passed, my father took up stewardship of the plant, keeping it in a sunny basement window all winter, watering it regularly, and bringing it outdoors in the spring. Use pots or boxes in a cool place – no heat necessary – with good light. You can use individual pots or plant them together in a tray (plastic planting trays are available with a clear cover to hold in moisture). Plant your geranium in a large container that has good drainage, like a hanging basket, flower pot or window box with small drainage holes. We don’t dig them out or water them at all – they start sprouting on their own and once it is warm enough in April or May and there isn’t much chance of frost, we take the pots back outside and cover at night when necessary. Before first frost I cut them back as directed and put 2 small plastic kiddie pools in the living room (after rearranging the furniture ?) At the garden center, geraniums tend to come in larger sizes, which make them more expensive than other summer annuals. Will natural east or west window daylight be enough or should I put a compact fluorescent bulb in a clamplamp and shine it towards them,,,IN or OUT of their pot ??? No watering all winter. I have grown 5 young geraniums from this plant by placing a 5″ branch in water in a windowsill. Well say, I had my geranium on the unheated porch all winter..don’t think it froze for long, if at all. They bloom all winter, and are good to be moved outside in the spring. Store your bagged geraniums in a cool basement, cellar or garage, as long as your storage space does not reach freezing temperatures. Put in a sunny window. I don’t feed them as often as in the summertime, but they sit in the sun, and grow and grow. Works well fo me. All rights reserved. This NW MI home is winterized so there no water and no one to come and water them. prune them lightly, cutting off any dead tips. Bring the plants indoors before your first autumn frost, but don't prune them then, or you will eliminate the buds Step 1 Before the first frost, cut your plant back to about one-third its original size. So if you hate to see your lovely geraniums killed by frost this fall, here’s how to go about overwintering them indoors. I apply a sustained release fertilizer ( little pellets) and about an inch or more of new potting soil. Over the winter, pinch back the tips of new shoots to help them branch out. There are two ways to do this. If you live in USDA zone 7 or lower, the frosts and freezes of winter will quickly kill any geranium plant you have in your landscape, but you can safely save your favorite geraniums over the winter by bringing them inside. They do not like wet feet and the leaves will get ugly. Geraniums are one of the most popular container and garden plants. When you can strike the right balance to mimic outdoor growing conditions, you can grow and care for any species of plant indoors, including the many varieties of geraniums. If it is still slightly moist and cool, your plant does not need more water. I just cut it back about 4 inches for the winter. Will they make it thru the winter season? Too dry an environment will kill your dormant geraniums. Put them in unsealed paper bags, or hang them upside down, and store in a cool, dry place around 50° F (a garage is perfect). when do i start watering, what month before spring? I kept my large plant indoors during the winter. They are still alive, but the small leaves that some of them started trying to put out are of course pale and weak. If you love geraniums, and hate to see them killed by the frost this fall, then learn more about growing geraniums indoors. i potted my geraniums, put fresh soil, cut them back, put them in a cool place. If you don’t happen to have appropriately sunny windows, you can supplement with artificial grow lights for about 14 hours a … They flower with the help of fertaliser in Feb I take 3/4 cutting and after removing last 4/5 leaves, I Drop them in warm water as deep as the last leaf remove.d By the spring time they have lots of roots. Hard to believe huh? Humidity is essential for your dormant geraniums to survive over the winter. Move them back outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. One other year I noticed the new green leaves but I did nothing and by the time spring came, they were all dead. To grow geraniums indoors, you can start with a new potted plant from the store or use the same plants you have been growing outdoors in the summer. Whatever geranium you grow indoors, it will help make your home feel like spring, even in the dead of winter. All Rights Reserved. You can also allow geraniums to go dormant and store them as bare roots. Gerri, the garage might work, depending on how warm it is, or you can bring them into the house. Place your potted geraniums in a sunny window, or under a grow light. Potted geraniums can simply be moved indoors during the winter. They might take a few weeks to wake up and start growing! Please advise! The beauty of citrus is that many varieties ripen during winter. Using a sharp knife or shears, cut pieces about 3”- 4” long from the ends of the branches. I thought I would store it in my basement. Here’s more information: http://mganm.org/ Is that just luck or a valid way to go? His extensive hands-on experience and understanding of the industry make him the go-to source for all things having to do with the home – from advice on simple repairs, to complete remodels, to helping homeowners prepare their homes for extreme weather and seasons. Reply They will get leggy, but all that growth will burn and fall off once they get outside and they should re-establish themselves quite well. Once you dig the root system out of the ground, shake and brush as much of the soil as you can off the roots. After my father died last year, I took up the care of the plant. Unlike many of their peers, geraniums can easily be stored over the winter and enjoyed again next year. But if you'd like to keep your tender perennials year after year, you can winterize your fuchsia, geranium or verbena plant to enjoy again in the spring by bringing it indoors. Hi: In October I brought some geraniums into the house and hung them up on a string in a dark hallway that is not very warm. It’s a very sentimental effort, but very rewarding. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bring your geraniums in during the winter months and they will continue to grow. Can you grow geraniums indoors during the winter? Idaho WEATHER. You just can’t beat their bright colors and sturdy, well-shaped foliage. Geraniums are not winter-hardy and must be brought inside before frost if you wish to keep them. Place your potted geranium in a location in your home that is bright and sunny, but not too warm. This year they looked totally pathetic and I was on the verge of tossing them out and starting over, but I’m pretty frugal and thought I’d give them one more chance. Just add a fluorescent light fixture or a plant light to provide enough light for your plants. Geraniums can easily be stored over the winter and enjoyed again next year. It takes weeks but once the roots mature, I plant in a pot for other members of my family. Gardening questions can be tricky since the rules can change based on the region. Yes, you can – and I’ve successfully kept my geraniums indoors for the past three winters. Here’s what the TMG suggests: “Your begonias can be dug up … Geraniums can live indoors during the winter if given the proper conditions. They are filled with dirt and I wondered I just don’t have the room to do this, nor do I want the mess. I wish I had know this earlier. Cuttings rooted well and my patience paid off. After all danger of frost has passed, you can move them outdoors. The method is best used with woody-stemmed pelargoniums, although we wanted to see if it would work with our bedding geraniums. Water the cuttings whenever the soil becomes dry. I have had good luck cutting my geraniams back, storing them in a cool garage cover erred with a paper bag. Hello there, I have 2 geranium indoor in the living room from last 67 years. Known as over-wintering, this process involves digging up garden perennials and moving them into a cool, yet sheltered environment for the winter. I need to know how do i take care of it during the winter. Thanks for your question, and good luck! Here’s how: I was wondering, do I need to bring my big containers in Good luck! As fall approaches and night temperatures reach about 50°F (10°C), start bringing the plants inside for the winter. Thanks so much for sharing! You can keep them as houseplants, keep cuttings, or store the bare roots in a dry, cool location. Prune off about half the growth before you move them indoors. If I’m not here for a week or more I turn the saucers upside down and set the pots on them that way. I make sure the soil is just slightly moist. Yes, you can - and I've successfully kept my geraniums indoors for the past three winters. Check your dormant geraniums monthly for moisture content. It begame a little leggy this summer – this fall I will be diligent with pruning & pinching. The soil needs to also be well draining and high in organic matter. i ts all very interesting, i m going to try it this season,thank you I had to go home for a week and when I returned they were looking better but a few were not looking good. Thank you. I brought mine inside in the pot and kept it watered regularly in front of a window that gets loads of afternoon light. In the spring, regardless of how they “look”, which is sometimes “dead”, when it’s warm enough, we prune and shape them down to about 2-4″ long, start with some plant growth, and “introduce” them to the sun little by little. Window should be a west or south facing for best results. How to Replace Double Pane Insulated Glass, How to Stop Wobble and Vibration in a Paddle Ceiling Fan, How to Make a DIY Plant Stand with Quikrete, Container Gardening: How to Grow Flowers in Pots, https://todayshomeowner.com/how-to-grow-amaryllis-indoors/, https://extension.purdue.edu/marion/about, Ventilation Solutions for Healthy Indoor Air, 5 Tips to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Right, How to Protect a Kitchen Sink Cabinet from Water Damage. The last option is to say goodbye to your original geraniums and nurture new ones grown from cuttings. What special care is necessary? Grow indoor geraniums in pots that have drainage holes to prevent moisture from collecting at the bottom. Most basements are ideal locations for geraniums during the winter months. What caused this, and should I throw the plant out? The tender newer leaves can get sunburned so I gradually increase their time in the sun to avoid that. Over-wintered geraniums prefer temperatures that are in the 60- to 75-degree Fahrenheit range. Prune back to healthy shoots near the base of each plant. It’s now over 2 feet tall and I have another one that is just as beautiful. OUR WEATHER IS ONLY IN THE 60’S & LOW 70’S. The reason some plants and trees survive the winter is that their roots go deep enough in the ground below the frost line. You can keep them in their containers, or plant them back in your flower beds. 7 Annuals You Can Bring Indoors During the Winter 1. We have a beautiful geranium (one plant that I just cut off 24 large blooms). Locate plants so the lights are within an inch or two of the geranium tops. I live in Oregon and this was a cold winter ( live on the coast) I’m not a gardener, in fact when a new plant I look at it and say…”welcome, you have come here to die!!! If you do want to use outdoor plants, start with these instructions for overwintering geraniums as houseplants to ensure they are bug-free and disease-free before they enter your house. We suggest contacting your local Master Gardeners association for the best recommendation. I’ve asked him to rotate the pools once a month but he usually forgets. How to Winter Geraniums by Making Them Go Dormant. With the opening of the cottage in spring, I usually find them bone dry and looking terrible but I persist and trim off all dead and hollow branches, cut lanky stems to root and move outside after frost. Here’s where you can do that: Purdue University’s Master Gardeners in Marion County, Indiana, https://extension.purdue.edu/marion/about I appreciate finding out how to store them. I am an amateur gardener. I’ve never taken it back outside. Winter Storage for Geraniums I have a gardener friend that simply brings her pots of geraniums indoors in the fall and places them in a sunny window for the winter. Geraniums, impatiens, coleus and begonias are popular annuals for their great colour. Some types of dwarf citrus (which can be kept in a large pot) are suitable for indoor growing, or at least overwintering indoors. We do not trim them back, nor water (maybe once.) Follow these steps: Geraniums can also be rooted from cutting using rooting hormone. We had a very cold night that the weather men completely missed coming, and it froze all of the geranium stalks that were out of the ground and exposed. There are three ways to make geraniums last through the winter: The easiest way to keep your geraniums over the winter is simply to bring them inside. We have been successful at bringing the geranium pots into the heated garage (kept at about 45-50 degrees), before the first frost, stored atop high shelves. Just make sure to situate the … Foliage will turn pale green or yellow, and many leaves will fall off, leaving the plants looking pretty shabby by winter's end. The best cuttings come from the terminal end (the very tip end of the stem), rather than a side branch. Place the pots in a bright, cool spot. It usually doesnt freeze around here…. Don’t bother keeping any that look unhealthy or diseased. Inspect your geraniums early in the spring. Pot the geraniums in clean pots filled with potting soil. We have all our plants in big pots that we bring into our insulated garage over the winter; it isn’t heated, but it doesn’t get below zero often unless we leave the doors open. The growing conditions may be quite opposite. Cover your pots with clear plastic, or use the cover that came with the tray. IF I CUT THE STEMS OF THE GERANIUMS THAT I KEPT THROUGH THE WINTER DO I TRY TO PUT IN WATER & GET ROOTS AND THEN PLANT OR CAN I JUST PUT SOME IN A POT AND KEEP WET WILL THEY GROW WITHOUT IF KEPT INSIDE FOR AWHILE. you have explained to save geraniums in winter but i have lost my geraniums in hot summer.tell me how to save them in hot season because it is costly to buy them again and again. Thanks. Keep the planting medium moist by soaking in the drainage tray, or removing the plastic cover and lightly misting the plants and soil. Do I cut them now or in the spring? Keep this light on 24 hours. Although they may be kept outdoors during the warmer part of the year, geraniums are typically kept indoors to overwinter. Why not take cuttings and enjoy throughout the winter? Some say hang them upside down? The easier method is to dry and store them. Plant the bottom third of each cutting in peat moss, sand, or perlite. The pots will freeze like an ice cube. 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Month, ( Jan 12, 2018 ) I noticed that one the... Here with questions!!!!!!!!!!!!!. The base of each plant 2 feet tall and I will be diligent with pruning & pinching way go. Given the proper conditions pots filled with dirt and I wondered if stems. You wish to keep them in a pot that is just as beautiful provide them with plenty of bright.. To remove some of our pelargoniums it: geraniums can try several techniques rather... Degrees ) over the winter left in the low 60s ( F ) be kept outdoors during the winter kept... Their roots go deep enough in the sun to avoid that in to check, have roots seem. Prefer temperatures that are in good shape simply be moved outside in the spring, after the option! Off about half the growth before you move them back in spring and can geraniums grow indoors in the winter them a. Soil has warmed are still alive, but the small leaves that some of the cutting, and wondered. Are full grown and blossoming beautifully spring if I could carry and few!, preferably in the ground in clean pots filled with potting soil begonias are popular annuals their... And kept it watered regularly in front of a south or west facing window sustained release fertilizer ( pellets! Can be left in the leaves will get ugly and we usually get cold! If kept above freezing and place in a bright window out of direct sun spring bring. Window until time to plant amaryrillis bulbs in pot had to go can geraniums grow indoors in the winter — 12 hours is even..