How to Overwinter Geraniums: 3 Methods Compared

You can overwinter geraniums in three ways: bring them indoors as houseplants, take cuttings and root them, or store the plants bare-root and dormant in a cool, dry place. All three start the same way: move the plants before the first fall frost.

The method to choose depends on your space. A sunny window suits the houseplant method. Limited space suits cuttings. A cool basement or unheated room suits bare-root storage.

The temperatures and steps below come from Iowa State University Extension’s guidance on overwintering geraniums, as published in its horticulture Q&A (Iowa State University Extension, via River Cities’ Reader).

These instructions are for common garden geraniums (botanically Pelargonium), the colorful bedding plants sold in pots each spring. Hardy perennial geraniums (Geranium, often called cranesbill) survive winter outdoors and don’t need this.

The 3 methods at a glance

Method	Space needed	Best for	Effort
Potted houseplant	A sunny window or grow light	A few favorite plants	Moderate: water every couple of weeks
Cuttings	A windowsill and small pots	Many plants, limited space	Higher at first, then easy
Bare-root storage	A cool, dry room around 45–50°F	Large numbers of plants	Low: check occasionally

Method 1: Grow them as houseplants

1. Dig up or bring in the plants before the first frost. Garden plants go into pots with drainage holes; container plants can come in as they are.
2. Check for pests. Look under leaves for insects and remove damaged leaves and spent flowers.
3. Water thoroughly, then place them in a sunny window or under grow lights.
4. Keep them cool. Iowa State’s published advice puts the ideal daytime range somewhere between 60°F and 70°F (different versions give 60–65°F and 65–70°F), with slightly cooler nights (Iowa State FAQ). The point they agree on: cool and bright beats warm and dim.
5. Water about every two weeks, or when the soil surface is dry.
6. Prune in March. By late winter the plants will be tall and leggy. Cut them back by one-half to two-thirds so they grow bushy before going outside.

Tip: A warm, dim room makes geraniums stretch toward the light. A cool spot with the brightest window you have gives sturdier plants.

Method 2: Root cuttings

Cuttings take the least space and give you young, vigorous plants for spring.

1. Cut 3–4 inches from the tips of healthy shoots before frost.
2. Strip the lower leaves and dip the cut ends in rooting hormone.
3. Insert them in a moist rooting mix, such as vermiculite or a blend of perlite and sphagnum peat moss, in pots with drainage holes. Plant each cutting just deep enough to stand up.
4. Cover with a clear plastic bag or dome and keep in bright, indirect light.
5. Wait 6–8 weeks for roots, then pot each cutting into its own container and move it to a sunny window or under grow lights.

Method 3: Store them bare-root (dormant)

This is the oldest method and needs almost no space or light.

1. Dig up the plants before frost and shake off the soil.
2. Place one or two plants in a large paper bag, or hang them upside down.
3. Store them somewhere cool and dry, around 45–50°F, such as an unheated bedroom, enclosed porch or cool basement.
4. In March, remove shriveled and dead material and prune back to firm, green stem.
5. Pot them up, water thoroughly, and place in a sunny window or under grow lights until it’s time to plant out.

Not every stored plant survives, so store more than you need.

When do geraniums go back outside?

Geraniums can be planted outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. In much of the US Midwest that’s around May. Before planting, harden them off: put them outside in a sheltered spot for a few hours a day, increasing the time over a week, so the leaves adjust to sun and wind.

Which method should you choose?

• One to three special plants and a sunny window: grow them as houseplants. You’ll have flowers indoors through winter.
• Many plants, little space: take cuttings.
• No sunny window but a cool room: store them bare-root.

If you are bringing several plants indoors, the same light needs apply to herbs. Warm, dim rooms cause leggy growth for most sun-loving plants.

The bottom line

Pick the method that matches your space: a sunny window for houseplants, a windowsill tray for cuttings, or a cool room for bare-root storage. Move plants before the first frost and prune in March. The same weekend is a good time to winterize your outdoor faucets and work through the fall jobs in our home maintenance checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Can geraniums survive winter outside?

Common garden geraniums (Pelargonium) are not frost-hardy and usually die after a hard freeze in cold climates. They survive outdoors year-round only in mild, frost-free areas.

Why are my overwintered geraniums leggy?

Too little light and too much warmth. Move them to your brightest window or add a grow light, keep them cool, and prune them back by half to two-thirds in March.

Should I cut back geraniums before bringing them inside?

Trim off damaged leaves and spent flowers. Many gardeners also cut plants back somewhat to make them easier to manage; the bigger pruning happens in late winter.

How often should I water geraniums in winter?

Sparingly, about every two weeks or when the top of the soil is dry. Overwatering in cool, low-light conditions can rot the roots.

Can I keep geranium cuttings in water?

Some cuttings root in water, but rooting them in a moist, well-drained mix usually gives stronger roots that transplant more easily.

Plan next season’s beds with our raised bed soil mix guide, or browse our Gardening section.