Winter Care for Potted Hydrangea and Geraniums

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

• Greenhouse-grown potted varieties are tender.
• When temps drop to 40°F, bring inside to a cool (40–50°F), bright location.
• Reduce water until January.
• In January: prune to lowest buds, resume watering, provide good light to initiate bloom cycle.
• Repot only if extremely root-bound (overpotted plants don't bloom).

Geraniums (Pelargonium)

• Bring inside before frost.
• Sunny window; let soil dry somewhat between waterings (never bone-dry).
• No fertilizer in winter.
• They'll get leggy; prune hard in spring before moving out.

Zone Note

Both are hardy in ground in Zones 5–6, but potted hybrids need protection.