How to Store Geraniums in the Winter

Overview

Geraniums cannot withstand cold winters and will quickly perish if allowed to suffer through the elements. Lift the tuberous plants before the first hard winter frost to carry the plant over until spring.

Step 1

Choose healthy geraniums to overwinter. A weak plant that is afflicted with bacteria or a fungal infection will easily perish during the winter storage months. Look closely at the plant to determine if there are any leaf spots, wilting, rot, discoloration or stem problems.

Step 2

Dig the geranium up from the garden before the first frost hits the plants. Use a garden trowel and gently insert around the plant. Pry upward until the plant is lifted free of the garden soil.

Step 3

Shake the soil from the plants roots. Work your fingers through the plants roots to make sure the soil falls away freely. If the soil is difficult to remove then gently hose the root system off and shake to dry.

Step 4

Choose a dark, dry location to hang the geraniums during the winter. The ideal temperature should be 45 to 50 degrees F.

Step 5

Hang the geraniums upside down using cotton rope or twine. The roots of the plant will face upwards and the foliage will hang downward.

Step 6

Apply a bulb dust fungicide to the geraniums root system. Sprinkle the powdered fungicide lightly over the the exposed root system.

Step 7

Lift the geraniums gently down once a month and soak their root system in a pan of water for one to two hour. Lightly dry the roots off using a cloth by patting the roots or lying the plants gently on the cloth. Lightly dust the geraniums roots using the bulb fungicide and then rehang the geraniums.

Step 8

Replant the geraniums in the garden when all danger of frost has passed. The plants can also be planted in containers in a sunny window in the spring before the last frost to gain a head start on the spring growth.