Yes! I’ve overwintered geraniums for a few years. Here’s what has worked for me: keep them in a cooler environment (60 degrees), water only once a week, cut all blooms that emerge so the plant will send energy back to the roots and thus keep it alive longer, and start fertilizing once a month in March so it’s prepared for longer daylight. I’ve even heard that you can treat it like oxalis and hang it upside down during the winter, but I haven’t tried that yet. Geraniums will pout by dropping leaves and looking emaciated. Resist the urge to become an angel of mercy; it’s not dead, just conserving energy. It will reward you in June with ample blossoms and healthy green leaves. Let me know if you try it!
You could do a version of the Chelsea Chop (cut back to a third), but I usually reserve that for March, when the plant gets leggy. Cutting it back right before it goes outside will make it grow more fully in June.
This is beautiful and honest. Now I'm regretting not taking cuttings from my coleus before frost. I composted it and it never occurred to me to take some. Also I love the sage bouquet. Sage is underrated as an ornamental. I grow lots of it though I rarely use it in cooking, just because the leaves and flowers are lovely.
Thank you! I’ve only saved coleus cuttings for a couple of years, but I love doing so because they are easy to root, it cuts down on how much I need to purchase in the spring, and it really keeps me going in February when they bloom!
Thank you, Betsy. Your writing is exquisite and ideas hopeful! Looking forward to your next entry here.
Thank you, Carla! ❤️
Beautiful read, and photos, as always. Have you ever wintered a geranium plant? I have this intense need to keep something alive. 🧡
Yes! I’ve overwintered geraniums for a few years. Here’s what has worked for me: keep them in a cooler environment (60 degrees), water only once a week, cut all blooms that emerge so the plant will send energy back to the roots and thus keep it alive longer, and start fertilizing once a month in March so it’s prepared for longer daylight. I’ve even heard that you can treat it like oxalis and hang it upside down during the winter, but I haven’t tried that yet. Geraniums will pout by dropping leaves and looking emaciated. Resist the urge to become an angel of mercy; it’s not dead, just conserving energy. It will reward you in June with ample blossoms and healthy green leaves. Let me know if you try it!
Thank you! So I should leave the leaves on and not cut them down? ;-)
You could do a version of the Chelsea Chop (cut back to a third), but I usually reserve that for March, when the plant gets leggy. Cutting it back right before it goes outside will make it grow more fully in June.
This is beautiful and honest. Now I'm regretting not taking cuttings from my coleus before frost. I composted it and it never occurred to me to take some. Also I love the sage bouquet. Sage is underrated as an ornamental. I grow lots of it though I rarely use it in cooking, just because the leaves and flowers are lovely.
Thank you! I’ve only saved coleus cuttings for a couple of years, but I love doing so because they are easy to root, it cuts down on how much I need to purchase in the spring, and it really keeps me going in February when they bloom!
This was a beautiful honest piece that I felt in my bones as I read it. Lovely. Thank you for sharing.
❤️❤️❤️❤️ Nothing to be but honest.