Marianne's Response

Overwintering Geraniums

Is it possible to overwinter geraniums in the ground and in pots? I have both.

Posted by Kathleen Horst on October 17, 2021

Marianne's Response

Yes! Depending on where you live geraniums can be overwintered both in the ground and in pots. Just remember to keep the plants cold, but not freezing, and the soil slightly moist but not wet. I live in zone 7 to zone 8 (on the border) so winters get below freezing for only a short time. My technique is to put the pots under an outdoor table covered with a waterproof tarp to keep the pots dry. In the ground you can try to cover the plants with a bucket. Both ways work well maybe 25% of the time. A bit too much cold or wet and the plants will rot. They do best if dug up and placed in a cool greenhouse over the winter. If you want to be practical, realize that if you do successfully overwinter geraniums they will be slow to start in the spring so you will not get blooms until July or later. This is why most gardeners end up taking cuttings of geraniums they love if they have a greenhouse or just investing in fresh geraniums plants each year once all danger of frost is past. Still, trying to save plants is a fun challenge and if you find an easy or fool proof way share it with us all. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti