When the days grow shorter and the nights begin to cool, gardeners start to think about which plants will survive outdoors and which ones need a little extra protection.
Overwintering is the process of helping certain plants live through the cold months so they can return healthy in spring. Some plants simply cannot tolerate frost, while others benefit from being brought indoors or given special shelter during the coldest part of the year.
Knowing which plants to overwinter and when to act makes the difference between losing a favorite plant and seeing it thrive year after year.
With the right timing and preparation, you can protect tender plants, extend their lifespan, and enjoy a more vibrant garden when the warm season comes back around. Here are five types of plants you should overwinter and the best times to do it.
Geraniums
Geraniums are among the most popular garden flowers, known for their bright blooms and ability to keep producing color all season long. While many gardeners treat them as annuals, geraniums are actually tender perennials that can live for many years if they are overwintered properly. The key is to bring them inside before frost arrives and give them the right care during their rest period.
The best time to overwinter geraniums is just before the first frost in fall. Once temperatures begin dipping consistently into the low 40s, it is time to act.
Waiting too long risks frost damage, which can weaken or kill the plant before you have the chance to save it. Inspect the plant carefully and trim away any spent blooms or damaged leaves before bringing it indoors.
There are two main ways to overwinter geraniums. The first is to keep them growing indoors in containers. Place them in a sunny window where they receive several hours of light each day, and water sparingly to prevent the roots from sitting in soggy soil. Geraniums grow more slowly during winter, but with steady light they can remain green and healthy until spring.
The second method is to store them in a dormant state. This involves digging up the plants, shaking the soil from their roots, and placing them in paper bags or cardboard boxes in a cool, dark basement or garage where temperatures stay just above freezing.
Check them occasionally for dryness and mist the roots lightly if they begin to shrivel. In spring, the plants can be replanted into fresh soil, and with a little care they will return to life.
Overwintering geraniums is worth the effort because it saves both time and money. Instead of buying new plants each year, you keep your favorites alive and allow them to grow larger and more vibrant with each passing season.
Lemon Trees
Lemon trees bring a touch of the tropics to any garden, but they are not hardy in most climates. If you live anywhere with freezing winters, leaving a lemon tree outdoors is a sure way to lose it.
Overwintering is essential for keeping these citrus trees alive, and the timing makes all the difference between a healthy plant and one that struggles to survive.
The best time to bring a lemon tree indoors is when night temperatures consistently fall into the mid 40s. Waiting until frost arrives can cause serious damage, since even a light freeze can harm the tender leaves and branches.
Before moving it inside, wash the plant down with a gentle spray of water to remove dust and any pests that might be clinging to the leaves. Inspect carefully for insects like scale or aphids, which can multiply quickly once the plant is indoors.
Lemon trees need as much sunlight as possible during winter, so place them near a bright south facing window. If natural light is limited, supplement with a grow light to keep the tree strong and prevent leaf drop. Rotate the tree occasionally so all sides receive equal light.
Watering should be adjusted for the slower pace of winter growth. Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, and allow the top inch to dry before watering again. Overwatering is one of the biggest dangers to lemon trees indoors, especially when the plant is less active.
Humidity also matters. Indoor air in winter is often very dry, which can stress citrus trees. To combat this, mist the leaves regularly or place a tray of water near the plant to increase moisture in the air.
By overwintering your lemon tree properly, you protect it from the dangers of frost while giving it the chance to rest and build strength. Come spring, you can move it back outdoors, and with the right care it may even reward you with blossoms and fruit.
Fuchsias
Fuchsias are admired for their delicate, pendulous flowers that look like tiny lanterns dangling from arching stems. They thrive in the cool parts of spring and summer, but once temperatures begin to drop, these tender plants cannot survive outdoors in colder climates. Overwintering is the only way to ensure they return year after year.
The best time to bring fuchsias in for winter is before the first hard frost. Light frost may damage the leaves, but a hard freeze will kill the plant completely.
If your fuchsias are in containers, the process is simple, as you can move them inside before the weather turns. If they are planted in the ground, they should be dug up carefully and potted in containers for overwintering.
There are two common methods for keeping fuchsias alive through the cold months. The first is to keep them actively growing indoors. Place them in a cool, bright spot where they receive indirect light for several hours each day.
Water them lightly to keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy. This method allows the plant to continue growing slowly, and you may even see a few blooms if the conditions are right.
The second method is to allow them to go dormant. For this, cut the plant back by about half its height, remove any dead or diseased material, and place it in a cool, dark area such as a basement or unheated garage where temperatures stay just above freezing.
Water very sparingly, just enough to keep the soil from completely drying out. In spring, you can trim the plant again, move it back into bright light, and encourage new growth.
Overwintering fuchsias requires a little planning, but the payoff is worth it. With proper care, your plants will survive the cold and return in spring with fresh vigor, ready to produce another season of cascading blooms.
Begonias
Begonias are a versatile plant group, offering varieties with striking flowers as well as types prized for their colorful, patterned leaves. While they can fill containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds with beauty all summer, they are not frost tolerant.
If left outside once the cold sets in, they will not survive. This makes overwintering essential for gardeners who want to keep their favorite begonias from year to year.
The right time to begin the process is before temperatures dip below 50 degrees at night. For tuberous begonias, which grow from fleshy tubers, the goal is to allow the plant to enter dormancy.
Stop watering in early fall so that the foliage naturally begins to die back. Once the leaves yellow and fall, gently dig up the tubers, brush away the soil, and let them dry for a few days in a cool, airy space.
Afterward, store them in a box filled with peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust, keeping the container in a dry location with temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees. Check occasionally to make sure the tubers are not shriveling or rotting.
For fibrous and rhizomatous begonias, the approach is different. These types do not have tubers, so instead of forcing them into dormancy, bring them indoors as potted plants before frost arrives.
Place them in a bright window where they can receive filtered light and water them sparingly, allowing the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings. These begonias often continue growing indoors, though more slowly, and may even keep some of their colorful foliage throughout the winter.
Begonias are worth the effort of overwintering because many varieties become fuller and more impressive with age. Instead of treating them as disposable annuals, you can preserve their beauty year after year, making them a permanent part of your garden collection.
Basil
Basil is one of the most beloved herbs in the kitchen, known for its fresh aroma and flavor that enhances countless dishes. Yet basil is also one of the least tolerant plants when it comes to cold weather.
Even a light frost can blacken its leaves and kill the plant completely. For this reason, basil is a perfect candidate for overwintering if you want to enjoy fresh leaves long after the outdoor growing season ends.
The best time to bring basil indoors is before the first frost arrives in fall. Watch your weather forecasts closely, because basil will not survive once temperatures dip into the 30s. If you grow basil in containers, the transition is simple.
Move the pot indoors to a bright, sunny window where it can receive at least six hours of light daily. If your basil is planted in the ground, you can dig up the healthiest plants, pot them in fresh soil, and bring them inside before frost damages the roots and leaves.
Light is the most critical factor for basil during winter. Short days and weaker sunlight often lead to spindly, weak plants if they are not given enough brightness. Placing basil near a south facing window helps, but many gardeners also use grow lights to supplement. Keeping the lights on for 12 to 14 hours a day ensures that basil continues to grow with strong, flavorful leaves.
Watering should be done with care. Basil does not like soggy soil, but it also cannot handle long periods of dryness. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, making sure excess water drains from the pot. The plant also appreciates humidity, so placing it near a tray of water or lightly misting the leaves can help keep it healthy indoors.
Another option for overwintering basil is to take cuttings from your outdoor plants before frost and root them in water. Once roots form, transfer them into pots with fresh soil. This method not only gives you new plants but also keeps a steady supply of basil going through the winter months.
Overwintering basil may require extra attention, but the reward is worth it. Instead of losing your plants to the first frost, you preserve their freshness and enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own herbs during the colder months when garden flavors are scarce.
Final Thoughts
Overwintering plants is about recognizing which ones cannot endure cold and giving them the protection they need.
Geraniums, lemon trees, fuchsias, begonias, and basil all benefit from being sheltered indoors when frost threatens. Each one requires slightly different care, but the common goal is to help them survive winter and return stronger in spring.
By acting at the right time and providing light, water, and protection, you save plants that would otherwise be lost. This not only preserves your favorite varieties but also rewards you with healthier, more mature plants each year.
With the right approach, overwintering becomes a simple habit that extends the life and beauty of your garden.