As soon as those first warm rays of sunshine hit, I know the feeling—you’re itching to get your hands in the dirt! It’s tempting to drag all your geraniums out of storage so they can start showing off those gorgeous blooms. But hold your horses! If you jump the gun before the threat of frost is gone, all that hard work could go right out the window.
Geraniums and Frost Just Don’t Mix
In their native home of South Africa, geraniums (or *Pelargoniums*, if we’re being fancy) are used to nothing but sunshine and warmth. Even though they’ve been a staple in our gardens for ages, they’ve never quite made peace with our chilly winters. These plants have zero frost tolerance; even a light dip below freezing can be fatal. That’s why they should never stay outside if there’s even a slim chance of a frost visiting your garden.
Wait Until Mid-May to Move Them Out
Even if March and April tease us with beautiful sunny days, frost loves to make a surprise comeback. In many regions, we don’t really breathe a sigh of relief until the “Mother’s Day” window or mid-May. Until that date passes, your geraniums shouldn’t be left outside overnight.
Pro Tip:
If the daytime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C), you can give your potted geraniums some “recess.” Set them out in a spot protected from rain for a few hours to harden them off, but don’t forget to bring them back inside every single evening!
Planting Season Starts in May, Too
If you’re planning on planting brand-new geraniums, wait until mid-May for those, too. Even if you’re starting your own babies from seeds, they need to stay in a warm indoor spot to start. To make sure you get the longest blooming season possible, try to get them in the ground or their final pots as soon as the frost danger passes—don’t wait too long into the summer!
How Long Can They Stay Outside?
Just like the start of the season, the end of the season is dictated by the thermometer. Usually, we’re looking at late October. Be a little flexible, though—if we’re having an unexpectedly mild autumn, your geraniums can stay out and keep blooming. But the second the weather report mentions the first frost, it’s time to move them. They’ll need a bright, cool spot (around 40-50°F) to overwinter safely.
Can I Plant Geraniums Directly in the Garden Bed?
Leaving geraniums in the ground year-round is a death sentence for them in most U.S. climates. However, if you want that classic look of geraniums in your flower beds, you can definitely do it—you just have to be ready to move them:
- Plant them in the bed in mid-May.
- Dig them back up in late October.
- Pop them into a pot.
- Or try overwintering them bare-root.
- Just make sure they spend the winter indoors!
