If yours are already in containers, you get to save a step! 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. I need to winterize 2-12″ geraniums, from Nov til end of May. By Spring, it is time to put them outdoors again, and I cut the large plants down to 3-4 inches at the stems. 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. When you are potting your geraniums check the plant and leaves, both top and bottom, for insects. Geraniums overwinter best in a sunny window with temperatures around 60° F. They don’t do well in dark or overheated rooms. Use pots or boxes in a cool place – no heat necessary – with good light. Definitely yes, although growing geranium indoors is not as easy as other houseplants. I apply a sustained release fertilizer ( little pellets) and about an inch or more of new potting soil. 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. If insects are detected, treat the geranium with an appropriate insecticide to rid it of the pests before moving it indoors. Window should be a west or south facing for best results. Another way to overwinter your plants is to take cuttings and root them indoors during the winter. Known as over-wintering, this process involves digging up garden perennials and moving them into a cool, yet sheltered environment for the winter. 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. and put the pots directly in the pools, in front of a south facing window. Water and feed geraniums sparingly throughout the winter months. Yes, you can – and I’ve successfully kept my geraniums indoors for the past three winters. They are still alive, but the small leaves that some of them started trying to put out are of course pale and weak. Keep them in pots, or replant them into your landscape for the summer. The method is best used with woody-stemmed pelargoniums, although we wanted to see if it would work with our bedding geraniums. Hello there, I have 2 geranium indoor in the living room from last 67 years. Put in a sunny window. The easier method is to dry and store them. Discard any plants with evidence of insects or diseases. I received a large geranium plant this summer. So if you hate to see your lovely geraniums killed by frost this fall, here’s how to go about overwintering them indoors. However, they get heavy any advice on how to keep the limbs supported? For best results, keep citrus in pots outdoors from spring through fall, moving them inside whenever nighttime temperatures begin to dip below 50 degrees. How to Grow Geraniums Indoors Geraniums can also be grown indoors as houseplants provided you have a south or west facing window. 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. It usually doesnt freeze around here…. there are still blooms on it, and many buds yet to come. Some were in pots around the pool and some were in the ground. Over the winter, pinch back the tips of new shoots to help them branch out. Will the blooms be as big next spring if I succeed in over wintering my geraniums? 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. I make sure the soil is just slightly moist. I brought mine inside in the pot and kept it watered regularly in front of a window that gets loads of afternoon light. Master gardeners train on a range of topics so they can provide advice, at no charge, for people in their area. Water your geraniums once a week, or when the surface soil becomes dry. I live in zone 6, and have a potted geranium plant that used to belong to my brother, who died in his mid 30s in 1995. I live in Indianapolis,Indiana and I have a perennial “Rozanne” hardy Geranium I planted it in a container during the summer. Place each trimmed, soil-free geranium into a separate paper bag or potato sack. 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. Hi, Cheryl, If the stems shrivel up too, the plant is likely a goner! Once you dig the root system out of the ground, shake and brush as much of the soil as you can off the roots. Well all of them look dead,dead, dead! I have had good luck cutting my geraniams back, storing them in a cool garage cover erred with a paper bag. Regal geraniums should be left outdoors for as long as possible, since they require short days and at least 6 weeks of nighttime temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit to set buds, which generally bloom in late winter or early spring. It’s a very sentimental effort, but very rewarding. If you have a sunny window or a greenhouse, geraniums can be left in the pot to grow during the winter. 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 ??? I live in Sacramento, CA and it is almost September. What shall I do to save this beautiful red geranium? Yes, you can - and I've successfully kept my geraniums indoors for the past three winters. I haven’t been able to find any info on line about doing this. I have grown 5 young geraniums from this plant by placing a 5″ branch in water in a windowsill. Overwatering may cause your geranium stems to rot at the soil level. The beauty of citrus is that many varieties ripen during winter. Some blogs say de-pot them down to their rootball, ‘dry’ the soil, then place them back into the dry soil. But if they're alive in early spring, new buds will appear as days grow longer and brighter. I’ve already clipped them back by a half. Reply Didn’t cut plants back/just removed dead leaves this spring. We suggest contacting your local Master Gardeners association for the best recommendation. Too dry an environment will kill your dormant geraniums. If you don’t happen to have appropriately sunny windows, you can supplement with artificial grow lights for about 14 hours a … No watering all winter. I just don’t have the room to do this, nor do I want the mess. Do geraniums “require” a rest period? Can you grow geraniums indoors during the winter? I want to plant geraniums outside. Thanks for your question, and good luck! You can also take cuttings in the fall, and keep the small potted plants on a window… Gardeners wishing to overwinter their geraniums can try several techniques. Geraniums, impatiens, coleus and begonias are popular annuals for their great colour. © 2020 Today’s Homeowner Media. Our winter caretaker checks them when he comes in to check the house and waters if needed to prevent from drying out. Hi, Dave, I love reading the comments but where are the answers? I forgot to add that I don’t put them outside in full sun at first. I have some I had in the garage in pots during the winter that just needed watered and fed and are in good shape. I live in southeastern Wisconsin. The plants listed below are especially common for starting indoors. Or may just go dormant. Here’s what the TMG suggests: “Your begonias can be dug up … There are some basic key requirements and geranium care information you need to know. What caused this, and should I throw the plant out? It begame a little leggy this summer – this fall I will be diligent with pruning & pinching. Master gardeners train on a range of topics so they can provide tailored advice, at no charge. Thanks you, Nancy, Thanks for all the good advice. Please Help me!!!!!!!! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. A sunny west- or south-facing window (or grow lights) assures that they won't grow spindly. I shook all the dirt off them, cut them back to about six inches and left them there. saavikari@outlook.comA lot of wonderful information. Gerri, the garage might work, depending on how warm it is, or you can bring them into the house. This time I bought beautifull attractive geranium and I will do the same. 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!!! You can also allow geraniums to go dormant and store them as bare roots. Replant your stored, dormant geraniums in your landscape in the spring, after the last frost. Move your potted geraniums outside in the spring, after the last frost. Plant the roots in potting soil and water thoroughly. We tried the unusual method of drying some of our pelargoniums. They might take a few weeks to wake up and start growing! Thanks. The only advice I got was not to water them. They bloom all winter, and are good to be moved outside in the spring. Move them back outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. When in doubt, it’s best to go ahead and start seeds indoors in winter, as a head start won’t hurt your plants—but early exposure to winter’s chilly weather can have disastrous consequences for young plants that aren’t up to the challenge. There are different ways to keep geraniums from year to year. Tip: We live in WI and have noticed that the “ZONAL geraniums” are the most hardy and successful, considering they are labeled annuals! Store your bagged geraniums in a cool basement, cellar or garage, as long as your storage space does not reach freezing temperatures. Hi there……saw all of these questions and saw no answers after the comments!! I live in Zone 5 in OHio – I have been told, I can bring my potted geraniums into the garage and they will survive winter. One other year I noticed the new green leaves but I did nothing and by the time spring came, they were all dead. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Missouri University Extension: Geraniums—Saving Over the Winter, University of Minnesota: Outdoor-Indoor Geranium Culture. Your cuttings should root in 6 to 8 weeks. Follow these steps: Geraniums can also be rooted from cutting using rooting hormone. Thanks for sharing your experience with the TodaysHomeowner.com community, Promila! Here’s how: I was wondering, do I need to bring my big containers in Cut back the top of the plant to 6 inches in height, and place in a sunny window. Place your potted geranium in a location in your home that is bright and sunny, but not too warm. If I could, I’d post before and after pics because the transformation from winter sad to summer happy was amazing. Do these need to be cut bacl. Here it is early April in the NE, plant is very green, some “dead leaves and stems” which I have removed. I thought I would store it in my basement. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! They have done well. It is far better for them to be semi-dormant through the winter. As fall approaches and night temperatures reach about 50°F (10°C), start bringing the plants inside for the winter. I also spray them because spiders will make webs and other bugs will make holes in the leaves. 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. They do not like wet feet and the leaves will get ugly. Just add a fluorescent light fixture or a plant light to provide enough light for your plants. I wish I had know this earlier. Geraniums are one of the most popular container and garden plants. Pinch off the leaves from the bottom third of the cutting, and remove any flower buds. i ts all very interesting, i m going to try it this season,thank you I just cut it back about 4 inches for the winter. Geraniums can easily be stored over the winter and enjoyed again next year. 2 How to I winterize my geraniums indoors? 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. Over the winter I kept some…the ones I could carry and a few on the front porch. The key to proper blooming in the spring involves exposing the plants to cool temperatures of around 5… Oh yes I love them My house Jeranium and all other go out in pot or ground. 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. I am an amateur gardener. I had to go home for a week and when I returned they were looking better but a few were not looking good. 7 Annuals You Can Bring Indoors During the Winter 1. Is that just luck or a valid way to go? see if i ts going to work for me thanks again. Since I once paid nearly $50 for the biggest ones so I wanted to save as many as possible. The last option is to say goodbye to your original geraniums and nurture new ones grown from cuttings. They will winter in a cold greenhouse. Using a sharp knife or shears, cut pieces about 3”- 4” long from the ends of the branches. Broan offers innovative ventilation solutions for the kitchen and bath, from decorative vent fans to sleek, modern range hoods. 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. These should ideally come indoors before nighttime temperatures dip below 45°F (7°C). At the garden center, geraniums tend to come in larger sizes, which make them more expensive than other summer annuals. Move the pots to a sunny window until time to plant them outdoors. Commenters need to remember that unless they reveal where they live, their tips may not work for others. However, by mid June they were all spectacular and healthy looking. Here’s where you can do that: Purdue University’s Master Gardeners in Marion County, Indiana, https://extension.purdue.edu/marion/about Pot the geraniums in clean pots filled with potting soil. Margaret Durkin Works well fo me. I live in the North of England and the answers/advise I have seen are for America. So if you hate to see your lovely geraniums killed by frost this fall, read on to find out how to overwinter them indoors. It has some longer limbs and is not a good shape. I water sparingly, and keep the lights on timers for a good tropical 12 on-12 off. I have had wonderful luck with my geraniums – After a beautiful summer on my sunny balcony, I bring them indoors to my sun room. Unlike many of their peers, geraniums can easily be stored over the winter and enjoyed again next year. Before you bring geraniums indoors for the winter, cut the plants back to about one-half their height. 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. 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. Your cuttings need light, but they can’t handle the direct sunshine. 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. You can then ‘store’ your geraniums in winter. We do not trim them back, nor water (maybe once.) Just cut them back in spring and bring them out again and they will survive. In the spring you can plant the new plants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. No matter how big. They are filled with dirt and I wondered 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). Bring your geraniums in during the winter months and they will continue to grow. Overwintering Geraniums by Growing Them Indoors Geraniums make decent winter houseplants if you can provide them with plenty of bright light. if the freeze would ruin them. Store your bagged geraniums in a cool basement, cellar or garage, as long as your storage space does not reach freezing temperatures. You can keep them in their containers, or plant them back in your flower beds. I kept my geraniums in the unheated basement (40-50 degrees) over the winter with minimal watering and almost no light. Prune off about half the growth before you move them indoors. Hard to believe huh? I’ve asked him to rotate the pools once a month but he usually forgets. I water them lightly, and feed them very little – maybe once a month. Whatever geranium you grow indoors, it will help make your home feel like spring, even in the dead of winter. Last month, (December), I happily noticed that they had some new, tiny green leaves. Here’s how to go about it: Geraniums are perfect for window boxes, but can’t survive freezing weather. 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. You can find information on how to plant amaryllis in a pot in our article on How to Grow Amaryllis Bulbs Indoors at https://todayshomeowner.com/how-to-grow-amaryllis-indoors/. Backed by his 40-year remodeling career, Danny served as the home improvement expert for CBS’s The Early Show and The Weather Channel for more than a decade. They do prefer more than 10 hours of daylight each day — 12 hours is even better. You just can’t beat their bright colors and sturdy, well-shaped foliage. 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. Some say hang them upside down? I have never seen one grow so large, all in all I had 49 flowers on it they just keep growing, and still is. I kept my large plant indoors during the winter. Although they may be kept outdoors during the warmer part of the year, geraniums are typically kept indoors to overwinter. Not having a sunny basement window, or warm-enough garage, I keep the geranium in a sunny family room window where it thrives all winter. i potted my geraniums, put fresh soil, cut them back, put them in a cool place. 6. for the winter? 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. Tonight, (Jan 12, 2018) I noticed that one of the plants actually has a new tiny red bloom! Good luck! 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. If you love geraniums, and hate to see them killed by the frost this fall, then learn more about growing geraniums indoors. Potted geraniums can simply be moved indoors during the winter. This is their second winter indoors, and I am already enjoying new blossoms, indoors. Last year I got several geraniums for outside for my birthday in April. I live in Ohio and we usually get very cold weather each winter. Replant geraniums to avoid bringing insects indoors. There are two ways to do this. Dig up your outdoor geraniums before the first hard frost. Before first frost I cut them back as directed and put 2 small plastic kiddie pools in the living room (after rearranging the furniture ?) 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. The tender newer leaves can get sunburned so I gradually increase their time in the sun to avoid that. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Every month or so, pull your geraniums out and soak the roots in water for a couple of hours. I overwinter my geraniums in pots in the basement under grow lights. Prune back to healthy shoots near the base of each plant. After a month or so, they are full grown and blossoming beautifully. It is possible to grow them indoors over the winter under perfect conditions, but it is difficult to keep light and humidity at the ideal levels so they can thrive. Keep the planting medium moist by soaking in the drainage tray, or removing the plastic cover and lightly misting the plants and soil. Geraniums are one of the most popular container and garden plants. You can keep them as houseplants, keep cuttings, or store the bare roots in a dry, cool location. Place in a bright window out of direct sun. The best cuttings come from the terminal end (the very tip end of the stem), rather than a side branch. Hi Janet, I read that they can live up to 40 years!!! Before the first frost, dig large geraniums from the garden and plant in pots large enough to hold their root system. Most basements are ideal locations for geraniums during the winter months. Before the first frost, carefully dig up your geraniums and pot them in 6”- 8” diameter containers, with lightweight potting soil. Geraniums are also the most popular plant for bringing indoors in fall and keeping over winter so they can go outside again next spring. Winters here in the North are cold. I appreciate finding out how to store them. Geraniums- These flowers not only smell amazing, but they add a lot of color to a space. If you see your geraniums have dried, soak them for two or three hours in a bucket or sink of water, then return them to their bags. 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. They get rather leggy and pathetic looking, but it works for her. The soil needs to also be well draining and high in organic matter. I want to remove some of the nice ones about a foot long on sides etc. Place your potted geraniums in a sunny window, or under a grow light. Looking kind of long and leggy!! Thank you. By early next spring, you can to move them to their own pots with regular potting soil. Place your potted geranium in a location in your home that is bright and sunny, but not too warm. prune them lightly, cutting off any dead tips. Geraniums are not winter-hardy and must be brought inside before frost if you wish to keep them. Thank you. 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. Grow indoor geraniums in pots that have drainage holes to prevent moisture from collecting at the bottom. Don’t bother keeping any that look unhealthy or diseased. You have entered an incorrect email address! 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. Check your dormant geraniums monthly for moisture content. Just make sure to situate the … Bring the plants indoors before your first autumn frost, but don't prune them then, or you will eliminate the buds Idaho WEATHER. So I plant them in a appropriate size of container . We have a beautiful geranium (one plant that I just cut off 24 large blooms). If you love geraniums, and hate to see them killed by the frost this fall, then learn more about growing geraniums indoors. If it is still slightly moist and cool, your plant does not need more water. I do have a below ground dry full basement with windows to the east and west. If I’m not here for a week or more I turn the saucers upside down and set the pots on them that way. OUR WEATHER IS ONLY IN THE 60’S & LOW 70’S. Dig up the geranium from your yard before the first killing frost. Cuttings rooted well and my patience paid off. Over-wintered geraniums prefer temperatures that are in the 60- to 75-degree Fahrenheit range. We have had “prolific” geraniums, 30-36″ wide and 7 years old! The nice thing about geraniums is that they will go into dormancy easily, meaning you can store them in a similar fashion to storing tender bulbs. Timers for a good tropical 12 on-12 off shut it down ” until late or! Can bloom indoors all year long gardeners train on a range of topics they... Avoid that, rather than a side branch to check, have that! 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