How to Save Geraniums Over Winter | Step-by-Step Guide to Healthy Spring Blooms
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Why Save Your Geraniums Each Year?
Geraniums (Pelargoniums) are one of the most popular flowering plants for home gardeners. Known for their brilliant color, pleasant fragrance, and long blooming season, they are worth keeping from year to year. Instead of treating geraniums as disposable annuals, you can save them over winter with just a few simple steps. By overwintering, you’ll not only save money but also enjoy stronger plants that bloom earlier in spring.
Of course, if you’d like to add fresh color varieties or start new trays, you can always begin from seed. Check out our Regular Packs of Geranium Seeds or order in bulk with our Bulk Geranium Seeds for larger plantings.
Method 1: Bring Potted Geraniums Indoors
If your geraniums are already in pots, this is the easiest method.
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Trim back the plants by about one-third.
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Remove any spent blooms, yellowing leaves, or weak stems.
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Place pots in a bright, frost-free spot indoors — a sunny window or heated greenhouse works perfectly.
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Water sparingly during winter dormancy, keeping the soil slightly moist but never soggy.
This method allows plants to continue growing slowly indoors, giving you a head start on spring.
Method 2: Digging Up and Potting for Indoors
For geraniums planted directly in garden beds:
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Gently dig up the plants before the first hard frost.
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Shake off excess soil and trim the roots lightly.
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Pot into fresh, well-draining soil and water thoroughly.
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Place in a bright indoor location with temperatures between 50–65°F.
This keeps the plant actively alive but slowed down until spring arrives.
Method 3: Bare-Root Storage in a Cool, Dark Place
Many gardeners swear by this traditional method:
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Dig up your geraniums before the first freeze.
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Remove most of the soil from the roots.
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Store plants bare-root in a cool, dry, dark basement or garage that stays above freezing but below 55°F.
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Every 4–6 weeks, mist roots lightly to prevent them from drying out completely.
When spring returns, pot them up with fresh soil, water well, and watch them revive.
Cutting Back & Deadheading for Compact Growth
Whether you bring plants inside or store them bare-root, pruning is essential:
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Cut stems back by one-third to one-half.
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Remove dead blooms and weak stems to encourage strong new growth.
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In spring, pinch back tips again to keep plants bushy and produce more blooms.
Regular deadheading throughout the growing season will keep geraniums flowering non-stop.
Early Spring Revival Tips
By late winter or early spring, your overwintered geraniums will be ready to wake up:
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Repot into fresh soil if plants were stored bare-root.
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Begin watering more regularly as growth resumes.
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Place plants in bright light, and after frost danger passes, gradually reintroduce them to outdoor conditions.
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Fertilize lightly with a balanced flower fertilizer for a strong start.
Seeds: The Alternative or the Add-On
Not every plant makes it through winter — and sometimes gardeners want new colors or varieties. That’s where seeds shine. Starting fresh ensures vigorous, disease-free plants.
👉 Explore our full selections:
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Bulk Geranium Seeds – perfect for landscapers and large plantings.
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Smaller Packs of Geranium Seeds – ideal for home gardeners and smaller projects.
For even more options:
FAQ: Saving Geraniums Over Winter
Q: Can geraniums survive frost?
No. Geraniums are frost-sensitive and must be brought indoors or stored before freezing weather.
Q: Do I need to water geraniums while they’re stored?
Yes, but sparingly. For potted plants, water lightly once the topsoil dries. For bare-root plants, mist roots every few weeks.
Q: Should I cut back my geraniums before storing?
Absolutely. Cutting back reduces stress on the plant and prevents leggy growth.
Q: How long do geraniums live if overwintered?
With proper care, geraniums can last many years, often growing stronger with age.
Q: Is starting from seed better than overwintering?
Both are excellent options. Seeds offer variety and vigor, while overwintered plants bloom earlier. Many gardeners do both.