Can Frost-Damaged Geraniums Be Saved?

Geraniums (Pelargoniums) tolerate light frost (down to 28°F) if hardened off, but greenhouse-grown plants often die from a single cold night. If stems are mushy and watery, the plant is gone. If only leaves are damaged, try Messenger (harpin protein) — a Cornell-developed plant health stimulant — to encourage recovery.

However, geraniums are inexpensive and widely available. If recovery looks slow or the plant is deformed, it's often wiser to replace it. Don't feel bad — even experienced gardeners lose plants to unexpected frosts.