When the new year kicks off with a few sunny, warm days, it’s so tempting to start getting those geraniums in the ground. But trust me on this: you’ve got to resist the urge! Spring weather is fickle, and a sudden cold snap in April or early May can ruin all your hard work in a single night. It’s always better to play it safe.
Geraniums and Frost Don’t Mix
Geraniums (botanically known as *Pelargonium*) actually hail from the hot, dry regions of South Africa, where you’ll find over 250 wild species. Over here, they’ve been one of our most beloved balcony flowers for decades. However, because of those tropical roots, they haven’t developed any natural resistance to frost. If you want them to survive, they simply cannot stay outside during a freeze.
Wait Until Mid-May to Plant Outdoors
In the gardening world, the “Ice Saints” (mid-May) are the most important dates on the calendar. This is the traditional turning point when it’s finally safe to move frost-sensitive plants into your garden beds. This rule applies to all geranium varieties. If you’ve been busy growing young plants from seeds this spring, they’ll need to hang out indoors a bit longer. Use this time to repot them if they’re getting crowded. Even the sturdy plants you’ve been overwintering shouldn’t make their permanent move back outside until the middle of May.
If you’re planning on keeping your geraniums in pots, you can sometimes get away with planting a little earlier in milder climates—specifically once the thermometer stays consistently above 50°F (10°C). Just keep a close eye on the forecast! If an unexpected late frost is predicted, you’ll need to be ready to lug those pots back inside immediately.
Indoor Planting in February and March
One of the cool things about geraniums is that they can overwinter with very little soil (or even none at all!). You might have yours:
- Wrapped in newspaper
- Hanging upside down
- Crowded together in a single pot after a heavy pruning
These “sleeping” plants need to be woken up and potted in fresh soil for the new season. Don’t wait until May to do this! Start potting them in February or March. Keep them in a sunny spot indoors until the danger of frost has passed in May.
What About Store-Bought Geraniums?
You’ll see garden centers selling gorgeous, blooming geraniums long before mid-May. Even though they look ready for the garden, don’t plant them outside just yet. It is a good idea, however, to get them into larger pots with fresh potting mix right away so they can keep growing strong. Just keep them in a bright room or a sunporch until it’s safe to move them outdoors for good.
