Can I Save My Geraniums So They Will Come Back Next Year?

Stem Cuttings

• Planting a stem cutting is a straightforward method of propagating geraniums for the coming year. To propagate a geranium, cut 4 to 6 inches from the tip of a stem. Remove leaves from the lower half, as well as all buds or flowers. Dip the cut end of the geranium stem in rooting hormone and plant the stem in a container filled with potting mixture. Place the pot in indirect light until the geranium roots. Move the cutting into bright sunlight when the roots are 1 to 2 inches in length. Keep the soil slightly moist and feed the geranium, using a water soluble plant food every other week. Move the geranium outdoors after you're sure all danger of frost has passed in spring.

Save Geraniums Indoors

• Geraniums can be overwintered indoors if you have plenty of growing space in front of a sunny window. Trim the geranium to about 6 inches, or to approximately one-third of its height. Dig the geranium and transplant it into a sturdy container with a drainage hole. Commercial potting mixture is a good growing medium, but you can also use a mixture of potting soil and sand or perlite and sand. Place the plant in a sunny spot and keep the potting soil moist until it's time to move the plant back to its outdoor location in spring.

Hanging Geraniums

• Hanging geraniums over the winter is a simple way to overwinter geraniums if you have a cool storage place until spring. The storage place must be humid and temperatures should be maintained between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Dig the geranium, then remove the soil from the roots. Hang the geraniums upside down from a hook or a rafter. Unhook the geraniums every two to four weeks throughout the winter and soak the roots in a bowl filled with cool water. If you don't have space to hang the geraniums, wrap the bare roots in a thick layer of newspaper and store the plant in a cool, non-freezing storage place until spring. Cut the plant down to about half of its height before planting the geranium again outdoors.

Tips and Cautions

• Propagate only your healthiest geraniums, as weak or diseased plants may not overwinter successfully. If the plants do overwinter, the problems will still be present in spring. Check plants closely for pests, especially if you choose to overwinter your geraniums indoors. Often, buying new plants in spring is a better option if your geraniums aren't healthy.