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The Daily Insight

How do you keep geraniums over the winter?

Author

Samuel Coleman

Published May 22, 2026

How do you keep geraniums over the winter?

Geraniums only need to be kept frost free, so are very economical to overwinter in the greenhouse. However, we do recommend using a heater to ensure temperatures stay above freezing. If your heater has a thermostat, set it at 5°C or 41°F. If the stems get frosted then the plant will die and not recover!

Can you grow scented geraniums indoors?

Growing Scented Geraniums Indoors: A south- or west-facing window that lets in lots of light is ideal for growing scented geraniums. You’ll need to shade your plants in the heat of summer, but in the winter they will thrive.

Will geraniums come back next year?

True hardy geraniums are perennials that come back each year, while pelargoniums die in the winter and are frequently treated like annuals, re-planted each year.

Are scented geraniums indoor or outdoor plants?

Grow these as houseplants in a sunny window or a sunny location outdoors during frost-free weather. Scented geraniums are hardy in zones 10 and 11 and must be moved indoors for the winter in most areas. Use a quality potting mix for indoor plantings or grow them outdoors in well-drained soil for best results.

Is it possible to keep geraniums over winter?

This means that with a little care, getting geraniums to last over winter is possible. Even better is the fact that learning how to keep geraniums over winter is easy. Saving geraniums for the winter can be done in of three ways. Let’s look at these different ways.

What are the requirements for growing Geranium indoors?

Requirements for Growing Geranium Indoors. Location. Geraniums love the sun and don’t mind drenching in sunlight for long hours. Therefore, if your room has a South or West facing window, place them there. Even when grown indoors geranium requires exposure to direct sun in order to thrive and bloom.

How to keep pelargoniums alive in the winter?

However, we do recommend using a heaterto ensure temperatures stay above freezing. If your heater has a thermostat, set it at 5°C or 41°F. If the stems get frosted then the plant will die and not recover! Porches, sunrooms or conservatories are also excellent places to keep your tender pelargoniums through the winter.

When to move dormant geraniums to indirect light?

Check your plants every few weeks. If they are shriveling, spray them with water or slightly dampen the root area. Allow the plants to dry completely before placing them back into the bags. About six to eight weeks before the last expected frost, relocate your dormant geraniums to indirect light.

Can a geranium be brought indoors for the winter?

If you have a brightly lit room, you can bring your geraniums indoors for the winter. Before you bring geraniums indoors for the winter, cut the plants back to about one-half their height. Check the plants carefully for signs of pests or diseases, and don’t bring plants indoors unless they are healthy and problem-free.

What to do with dormant Geraniums in basement?

A cool, unheated, slightly damp basement is ideal for storing dormant geraniums in pots. Pot your geraniums before the first frost, cutting the plants back by about half. Allow the soil in the pot to dry out. Place an overturned paper bag on top of each plant.

However, we do recommend using a heaterto ensure temperatures stay above freezing. If your heater has a thermostat, set it at 5°C or 41°F. If the stems get frosted then the plant will die and not recover! Porches, sunrooms or conservatories are also excellent places to keep your tender pelargoniums through the winter.

What should temperature be for geraniums to overwinter?

Geraniums only need to be kept frost free, so are very economical to overwinter in the greenhouse. However, we do recommend using a heaterto ensure temperatures stay above freezing. If your heater has a thermostat, set it at 5°C or 41°F.