How to overwinter geraniums (Geraniums)

How to overwinter geraniums (Geraniums)

Would you like to overwinter your geraniums and ensure they thrive and flower year after year? This can be a good idea, as geraniums that survive the winter often grow bigger, more beautiful and can give you more plants via cuttings. Although geraniums are sensitive to frost, with the right conditions, you can get them safely through the winter so they can beautify your garden again next season.

For overwintering, geraniums need to be kept in a cool place with a temperature of around 8-10 degrees and with minimal watering. If you have access to plant lighting, this will help keep them healthy and prevent them from going into premature dormancy. A cool, frost-free place such as a basement or garage is ideal. Make sure the geraniums are not exposed to frost and that they get sufficient light as this will provide the best conditions for overwintering them without problems.

In this guide, you will learn how to overwinter your geraniums step by step so they are ready for another blooming season.

To give your geraniums the best chance of surviving the winter, it's important to start preparations in late summer. When night-time temperatures start to drop below 10 degrees, it's time to take action.

Pruning geraniums before winter

When it comes to overwintering your geraniums, pruning is an important part of the process. Pruning helps to reduce the size of the plant, remove dead or diseased parts and encourage new growth come spring. If you want a compact and bushy geranium, prune the stems down to about 5 cm in height. This will encourage new growth and give the plant a denser structure that many prefer. Make sure to use clean and sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant and always cut just above a leaf pair or bud that is facing outwards. This way, the new shoots will grow in a favourable direction, resulting in a more harmonious plant shape. Also, remove any dead or damaged stems and leaves as they can attract diseases or pests.

Geraniums in winter

Find the right storage location

Pelargoniums thrive best in a place where the temperature is kept between 8 and 10 degrees. A cool room like a basement or garage is ideal, and if you have access to plant lighting, it will be optimal for overwintering. However, most geraniums can also thrive at a slightly cooler room temperature as long as they are in your brightest south-facing window, or with a full spectrum grow light.

  • Light: The most important thing is that the location is bright but not in direct sunlight (LED plant lights are best) and that the temperature does not drop to freezing.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your geraniums make it through the winter and are ready for another season of beautiful flowers. Whether you dig them up from the beds or simply move the pots indoors, it's important to protect the plants from frost and give them the right conditions for overwintering. With a little patience and care, your geraniums can bring colour and joy year after year.

Limit watering

  • Irrigation: During wintering, geraniums need very little water. Overwatering can lead to rot and fungal diseases. Therefore, water only sparingly - about once a month - and only enough to prevent the roots from drying out completely. If the pelargonium is dormant, do not feed it.

If you store them in a warm, bright room, they need regular water and fertiliser.

Check for pests

  • Pests: Pests can be a problem for geraniums during wintering. Check plants regularly for aphids, scale insects or spider mites and remove any infestations immediately to prevent them from spreading.

If necessary, use SMC from Growth Technology to control pests.

Prepare them for spring

  • Spring preparation: In March or April, as the days get longer and temperatures rise, you can start watering the geraniums a little more and put them in a warmer place. If your geraniums have been at room temperature and with LED plant light, you can start to give them some nourishment.

  • If you want a compact and bushy geranium, you can prune the stems down to about 5 cm in height. This will encourage new growth and give the plant a denser structure. When the light starts to return, you'll see the plants wake up and start growing.

Make sure the soil temperature is at least 10 degrees C.Pelargoniums prefer warm soils that give them the best conditions to establish themselves well outdoors.

Cuttings of pruned material

Pruning geraniums also provides an excellent opportunity to make cuttings. These cuttings take root easily, either in water or directly in soil. However, it is important to take cuttings only when the plants have started to grow actively after winter. Cuttings from top shoots give the best results and the surplus can be used as beautiful gifts in old clay pots.

Replanting and new soil

At the same time as pruning, it's a good idea to repot the plants and give them new soil. Pelargoniums like to grow a little cramped, so you don't necessarily need to give them a bigger pot unless you want them to grow in size. Remove some of the old soil and fill the pot with fresh soil to give the plant the best conditions for growth. After transplanting, water the soil well and place the plant in a bright place without direct sunlight at first until it has formed new roots.

Prepare them for spring

  • Spring preparation: In March or April, as the days get longer and temperatures rise, you can start watering the geraniums a little more and put them in a warmer place. If your geraniums have been kept at room temperature and with plant lighting, you can start feeding them a little.

  • Pruning: Cut back any long, lanky shoots to encourage bushy growth and replant with some fresh soil if necessary. When the light starts to return, you'll see the plants wake up and start growing.

  • Planting: Once the danger of frost has passed, you can replant the geraniums in the garden or on the balcony, where they will reward you with beautiful flowers throughout the summer.


frost free greenhouse LED grolys

Can geraniums overwinter in the living room?

Yes, geraniums can overwinter in the living room, especially if you have a bright window. Although geraniums usually thrive in cooler temperatures, they can also do well at room temperature if the conditions are right. It's important to place them in your brightest window where they get the most natural light. In these conditions, you should water very sparingly to avoid root damage. 

If you have access to plant lightingThis can further help them thrive through the winter. If your geraniums are in the living room and continue to bloom, you can give them a little nourishment, but be careful not to over-fertilise. As spring approaches, you'll see the plants start to grow again and you can prune them and give them new soil to ensure they're ready for planting once the danger of frost has passed.


Origin

Pelargonium originally comes from South Africawhere they grow wild in the hot and dry climate. Their natural adaptation to a dry environment means they are highly resistant to drought and have a robustness that makes them ideal as Garden plants in cooler climates.

Pelargoniums were introduced to Europe in the 17th century by Dutch explorers who brought the plants back from their expeditions. They quickly became popular among European nobles and in botanical gardensTheir exotic origins and beautiful, colourful flowers made them status symbols. Their ability to adapt to different growing conditions meant they were quickly widely cultivated and became a staple of many European gardens.

Today, there are countless varieties and hybrids of geraniums that are cultivated in oats, on balconies and as houseplants all over the world. Their ability to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions has made them a favourite among both Beginners and experienced gardeners. They can also be easily propagated through cuttingsmaking it easy to share them with friends and family.

Pelargoniums come in many different shapes and colours, resulting in a wide variety of varieties. Some of the most popular types include zonal pelargonium (the classic ones with markings on the leaves), hanging geraniums (ideal for window boxes) and scented geraniumswhich have aromatic leaves with scents like citrus, rose or spice.

Summary

Overwintering geraniums requires a little patience and the right conditions, but the rewards are great when your plants bloom again year after year. Remember to prune them, store them frost-free and water them sparingly - and you'll be well on your way to a beautiful summer garden every season.

overwintering geraniums, artificial light