Geraniums show their love for summer with a non-stop explosion of colorful blooms. But let’s be real—in most parts of the country, the warm season only lasts about half the year. Since these beauties absolutely hate the cold, they need a safe place to crash once the temperature drops. You might be wondering: can they actually survive the winter outside?
Geraniums and Frost Don’t Mix
Geraniums (or more accurately, Pelargoniums) originally hail from the sunny landscapes of South Africa. Over there, they never have to deal with frost, but here, it’s a yearly guest. Because they aren’t built for the cold, they simply won’t survive it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a deep freeze or just a light frost that dips slightly below 32°F—the result is usually the same for these plants.
Protective Covers Aren’t a Guarantee
You might be tempted to throw a frost blanket or some cover over your geraniums to keep them safe, but unfortunately, that’s usually not enough. Since they have zero tolerance for freezing temps, they’d only survive outdoors if the winter stayed exceptionally mild. Since we can’t predict the weather (and Mother Nature loves surprises), it’s not worth the risk. But don’t toss them out! Geraniums are actually perennials, and with a little effort, you can keep them going for years.
The Safest Bet: Bring Them Indoors
If you want your geraniums to make it to next spring, you’ve got to bring them inside. The perfect “winter vacation” spot for them is somewhere bright and cool. Aim for temperatures between 40°F and 50°F—a chilly stairwell or a cool basement usually works perfectly. Just make sure you move them in before the first frost hits!
You have a few options for storage: you can keep them right in their window boxes, or if you’re short on space, dig them up. Some gardeners swear by wrapping them in newspaper or even hanging them upside down in a cool spot. You can also cluster several plants into one large pot for the season. Regardless of the method, give them a good, hard prune before putting them away. Once mid-May rolls around, you can move them back outside after repotting them in fresh soil.
Pro Tip:
Don’t keep your geraniums too warm during the winter. If it’s too toasty, they’ll start growing weak, leggy shoots prematurely and will struggle to produce those beautiful flower buds later on.
Can You Ever Overwinter Them Outside?
If you live in a very mild region and have some extra energy, there is one “old school” way to keep them outside. It takes some elbow grease, though, because you’ll need to dig a pit.
- The hole needs to be at least 30 inches (80 cm) deep to get below the frost line.
- Make the width fit however many plants you’re trying to save.
- Line the hole well with plenty of dry leaves or straw.
- Give your geraniums a heavy pruning.
- Place them in the hole and cover them up securely.
