My mom has my grandma's (atleast 50 years old), she just brings the potted plants in, cuts back on water and they kind of 'rest'. She also takes starts off the old plants. The room she keeps them in is unheated, uncovered windows. I also know some that bring them in, and treat as houseplants, they even bloom during the winter inside. CJ

I bring my inside and really let it run almost droop dry between watering so as not to rot roots. Yes, and 55-65 degrees and some sun and blooms do happen, even in winter.
Happy Growing David

I put mine in the greenhouse, but I have heard you can dig them up and shake the dirt off of them and store them like you would a bulb. You then replant in the spring.

Pelargonium are a/k/a scented geranium. Depending on who's counting, there are anywhere from 75 to 250 varieties.

Mine have been growing in a protected, raised bed for about 8 years, but then I live in zone 9a. I have them heavily mulched. One year one froze back, but as soon as it warmed up, it came back from the roots.

According to Hill & Barclay, Southern Herb Growing, they can tolerate winter temperatures in the upper 30's without severe damage. But to be safe, they recommend lifting the plant out of the ground and putting it into a pot to overwinter in the house in a warm, sunny spot and water only when the soil gets dry.

Here is a good website for Growing Pelargonium in Austin.

I was laughing withmy GS the other day. We had some pretty cold weatherhere with high wind for a few days. I was soooo worried about the plants on my sun porch. A few days later my pelagorniums are in bloom! What a nice surprise for us both. Gladys

Definitely. If I remember, I move the ger pots to a sheltered location for winter. We've had a freeze or two already, and I haven't remembered to move them, and they just look a little neglected. They really prefer cooler weather. I was in Minneapolis one July, and all the houses had geraniums in front, which you could not do here in central Texas.

You can divide your geranium plants every year or so and share with friends.

First let me state that I do not mean to offend anyone, but rather to try and clarify what seems to be a misunderstanding regarding "scented geraniums" vs. "common garden geraniums". I believe that there is some confusion here because they are not the same plants although they are related, both being members of the family Geraniaceae. I grow different varieties of Pelargoniums also known by the common name of scented geraniums, but not the common garden geranium like those sold at Wal-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, most local nurseries, etc.

Therefore, to clarify the above statement They really prefer cooler weather. I was in Minneapolis one July, and all the houses had geraniums in front, which you could not do here in central Texas. is an incorrect statement if referring to Pelargoniums a/k/a scented geraniums. Pelargoniums are not the same plant that we think of as common garden geraniums which have a hardiness zone to 4 and are generally grown in cooler climates. The common garden geraniums do not like our hot, humid Texas weather and usually will bloom big, colorful, beautiful flowers in spring for several months until the heat of late spring or early summer arrives.

The Pelargonium, originally brought to Holland and England from South Africa in 1632, is a woody, tender perennial herb that is native to South Africa. It is not a cold hardy plant and is rated for hardiness zones 8-10. It is not necessarily grown for its insignificant, small primitive flowers, but rather for its fragrance. It flourishes well in full sun to partial shade of tropical and subtropical climates. It is best grown on well-drained, fertile soils and under a high relative humidity. The species are cold sensitive but tolerant of drought.

It does very well in south Texas with the combined high temperatures, high humidity and droughts. I grow mine in raised beds in the ground and other than mulching them, have never protected them from the cold, but then it doesn't get that cold here in south Texas. In northern parts of the state, they should be grown in pots and brought indoors during the cold months. Otherwise, leave them in the ground, mulch heavily and they might or might not come back in the spring depending on whether the roots get damaged.

Again, I hope that I have not offended anyone.