How To Overwinter Geraniums In Alberta

If you love the vibrant color of geraniums, you don’t have to say goodbye each fall. Learning how to overwinter geraniums in Alberta is the key to saving your favorite plants year after year. Our cold winters are tough, but with the right techniques, you can keep these beauties alive indoors until the warm weather returns.

This guide gives you clear, step-by-step methods that work in our Alberta climate. Whether you have a sunny window or a cool basement, you have options. Let’s get your geraniums ready for their winter sleep.

There are three main ways to overwinter geraniums. The best method for you depends on the space, light, and time you have available. We’ll cover each one in detail.

Method 1: Overwintering as Potted Houseplants

This is the most common method. You bring the entire potted plant inside. It requires a bright, sunny spot.

First, prepare your plants. Do this before the first hard frost, usually in late September.

Inspect for pests like aphids or spider mites. Gently wash the leaves with a mild soapy water solution.
Prune the plant back by about one-third. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves and spent flowers.
If your geranium is in the ground, carefully dig it up and pot it in a clean container with fresh potting mix.

Now, find the right indoor location. A south-facing window is ideal. Geraniums need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to stay semi-active and healthy.

Adjust your care routine. Water only when the soil is completely dry to the touch. Overwatering is the biggest killer of indoor geraniums in winter. Hold off on fertilizer until early spring when you see new growth.

Method 2: The Bare-Root or “Dormant” Method

This is a fantastic space-saving technique for Alberta gardeners. You store the plants in a dormant state, without soil, in a cool, dark place. It mimics their natural cycle.

Before the frost, gently dig up your geraniums. Shake off most of the soil from the roots.
Let the plants dry in a shady, airy spot for a day. This helps prevent mold.
Prune them back heavily, leaving stems about 6-8 inches long. Remove all leaves and flower heads.
Choose your storage material. You can use paper bags, cardboard boxes, or breathable mesh bags.
Place the prepared plants inside. Some gardeners like to wrap the roots in slightly damp peat moss or newspaper to prevent excessive drying.
Store them in a dark, cool location where temperatures stay consistently between 40-50°F (4-10°C). An unheated basement, garage (that doesn’t freeze), or root cellar is perfect.

Check on them monthly. If the stems look severely shriveled, mist the roots very lightly. If you see mold, increase air circulation. In March, pot them up, water thouroughly, and place in a sunny window to wake them up.

Method 3: Taking and Rooting Cuttings

This method gives you brand new, compact plants for spring. It’s also a great way to save a variety if the mother plant is too large to bring inside.

In late summer, take 4-6 inch cuttings from the tips of healthy, non-flowering stems.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of each cutting.
Let the cut end dry and callous over for a few hours to prevent rot.
Dip the end in rooting hormone powder (this step is optional but increases success).
Stick the cuttings into small pots filled with a moist, soilless mix like perlite and peat.
Place the pots in a bright, indirect light location. Keep the medium slightly damp, not wet.
In a few weeks, gently tug on a cutting; resistance means roots have formed. You now have new baby geraniums to nurture through the winter on a sunny windowsill.

Essential Alberta Winter Care Tips

No matter which method you choose, these tips are crucial for our specific conditions.

Light is Everything (For Active Plants)

Alberta’s winter days are short. If your geraniums are active in a window, they might get leggy. Rotate the pots regularly for even growth. Consider a simple grow light if your window light is weak; even a few extra hours can make a huge difference.

Master the Watering

Dormant plants need almost no water. Active plants need careful watering. Always use room-temperature water. Cold water can shock the roots. Ensure your pots have excellent drainage holes to avoid soggy soil at the bottom.

Temperature and Humidity

Geraniums prefer cooler indoor temperatures, around 60-70°F (15-21°C). Keep them away from heat vents and cold drafts. Our homes are very dry in winter. While geraniums don’t need tropical humidity, occasional misting or a pebble tray can help if leaf edges get crispy.

Pest Patrol

Indoor plants can attract pests. Check regularly for whiteflies or aphids. A quick spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil can control minor infestations. Isolating new plants for a week before placing them near others is a good habit.

Spring Awakening: Getting Them Ready for Alberta Summers

As daylight increases in April, it’s time to prepare your geraniums for the outdoors. Don’t rush this; Alberta springs are unpredictable.

For dormant plants, pot them up, water well, and place in a sunny window.
For all plants, begin fertilizing lightly with a balanced fertilizer.
Prune back any long, weak growth to encourage bushiness.
Start the hardening-off process in late May. Place plants outside in a sheltered, shady spot for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their time and exposure to sun over 7-10 days. This prevents sunburn and shock.
Only plant them in the garden or containers outside after all danger of frost has passed. In much of Alberta, this is after the May long weekend.

FAQ: Overwintering Geraniums in Cold Climates

Q: Can I just leave my geraniums in the garage?
A: Only if your garage stays above freezing but below 50°F (10°C). A freezing garage will kill them. The dormant, bare-root method is best for garage storage.

Q: Why are the leaves turning yellow on my indoor geranium?
A: This is usually from overwatering. Let the soil dry out more between waterings. It could also be from lack of light or a need for fertilizer come spring.

Q: Is it worth overwintering geraniums?
A: Absolutely! It saves money, preserves specific varieties you love, and gives you a head start on large, blooming plants for next summer. Mature plants will flower much earlier than new ones grown from seed.

Q: What’s the easiest method for beginners?
A: Taking cuttings is often the easiest. It requires minimal space, and if one cutting fails, you have others. It also results in fresh, vigorous plants.

Q: My dormant geraniums look dead. Are they?
A> They might not be! Dormant stems should be firm, even if they look dry and gray. Gently scrape a tiny bit of bark with your fingernail. If you see green underneath, the plant is still alive. Be patient and give it warmth, water, and light in spring.

With these techniques, you can successfully enjoy your geraniums for many seasons. It just takes a little preparation and the right method for your home. Start planning before that first frost hits, and you’ll be rewarded with thriving plants ready to burst into color when summer returns to Alberta.