Michigan winters can be brutal on garden plants, especially beloved geraniums that add color to our summer landscapes. Many gardeners assume these flowering favorites must be repurchased each spring, but that’s not true!
With a few simple techniques, you can save your geraniums through winter and enjoy them year after year, saving both money and your favorite plants.
1. Bring Plants Indoors As Dormant Bare Roots
Gently remove geraniums from garden soil before the first frost hits Michigan. Shake off excess dirt and hang plants upside down in a cool basement or garage where temperatures stay between 45-50°F.
I’ve saved dozens using this method in my Michigan basement. The plants look dead, but they’re just sleeping! Every few weeks, mist the roots lightly to prevent complete drying out.
Come February, pot them up, trim dead parts, and watch for new growth within weeks.
2. Pot Up And Maintain As Houseplants
Before frost arrives, dig up garden geraniums and transplant into pots with fresh potting soil. Trim back by one-third and place near a sunny south-facing window where they’ll receive at least 6 hours of light daily.
Water sparingly when the top inch of soil feels dry. For years, I’ve kept geraniums blooming indoors all winter in my Michigan home with this method.
Feed monthly with half-strength fertilizer to maintain some flowering through the darker months.
3. Create Cuttings For New Plants
Take 4-inch cuttings from healthy geranium stems in fall. Remove lower leaves, dip ends in rooting hormone, and plant in small pots with well-draining soil mix.
Cover with clear plastic bags to create mini-greenhouses. Last winter, my Michigan sunroom became a propagation station where dozens of cuttings thrived despite snow outside.
Keep soil barely moist and watch for new growth in 3-4 weeks. This method multiplies your plants while preserving favorite varieties.
4. Store In Paper Bags In Cool Darkness
For truly minimal maintenance, shake soil from geranium roots after digging them up. Let plants dry for a day, then place in paper bags in a cool, dark spot around 50°F.
My Michigan garage’s back corner works perfectly. Check monthly for shriveling or mold. The plants enter complete dormancy this way, using no energy for growth.
In spring, pot up what look like dead sticks and water lightly. You’ll be amazed when they sprout new leaves within weeks!
5. Overwinter In Original Containers
Already have potted geraniums? Simply move containers indoors before frost. Trim plants back by half their size and place in a cool room with temperatures between 55-65°F and indirect light.
My Michigan sunporch became the perfect spot after adding insulation. Water only when soil feels completely dry – about once every 3-4 weeks.
This method preserves the plant’s root system while reducing shock. Your geraniums won’t look their best during winter, but they’ll survive until spring renewal.
6. Create A Basement Grow Light Setup
Transform a basement corner into a geranium winter haven with simple shop lights hung about 12 inches above plants. Use full-spectrum bulbs and set timers for 10-12 hours daily to mimic natural daylight.
In my Michigan basement, shelving units hold dozens of geraniums under lights. The plants continue growing slowly but steadily, rather than entering dormancy.
Water when the top inch of soil dries out and fertilize monthly at half strength. This method yields the healthiest plants come spring.
7. Protect In Cold Frames Or Unheated Garage
Cold frames – essentially mini-greenhouses – offer protection while exposing plants to natural light cycles. Place potted geraniums inside before first frost and monitor temperatures during extreme Michigan cold snaps.
For five winters, I’ve successfully used my unheated attached garage. The plants go dormant but don’t freeze solid. I water sparingly once monthly just to prevent complete desiccation.
On unusually cold nights below 20°F, I throw old blankets over plants for extra insulation. Most emerge ready for spring with minimal effort.