You Can Have Glorious Flowers Indoors During Winter

Blooms and sunshine from January to April

Ever since I was an impressionable young girl, whenever I saw artwork like this from old children’s books, I knew I was going to grow geraniums in my window someday!

artwork from old children's book

Here are some ways (my secrets) to improve your success. These are simple and easy to do.

First, locate a window where you can hang a 10-12″ pot just inside the glass, but close your curtains for insulation at night. A single south-facing window is fine, but the more windows the better. As the sun’s path drops lower in the winter sky, it shines sunlight ever deeper into the room, giving energy to the plant for continuous budding and blooming. It gives us energy, too

geraniums in the window evoke a homey feeling

Second, find a good nursery which has larger geraniums. Toward the end of the summer, when they mark their stock down, purchase the fullest one(s) in your favorite color. I love the traditional clear cherry reds! They pop with color in your window and enliven the most drab months when a bit of cheer is so valued.

You may have to cut the geranium back to 6-7″ tall, but soon, it will put on new growth covering  the cuts and be dense and full. I didn’t cut mine back this year, and we have monster plants, but a bit thinner. Let your space needs determine if you cut back or not. Either way, you will have color and alive-ness.

Best fertilizer I know. This bottle is at least 12 y.o.

Now, here is where the secret comes in. So many people tell me they can’t grow anything, but using a balanced fertilizer every time you water is really amazingly effective and foolproof.

I water every 4 days and give so much that the water  just starts to drain into the clear plastic saucer beneath the plant. This will help humidify it in the dry indoor heated air. The plant, in turn, will help humidify you! I made the photo on the left large enough so you can read the label.

Use 7 drops every time you water in 1 quart of good water.

In January the sun will be enough for lots of blooms

Baby your plants by pinching off yellowing leaves. This is normal, given that geraniums, which had lots of sun all summer, have to adjust to less and less. Also, as the blooms fade and dry even a little, pinch them off right down at the base of the stem. This encourages new budding and fullness.

Jesus told us “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2 NIV

The on-going work of growing spiritually in Christ is carried over to the natural world. God’s principles are constant and never change. Pruning our geraniums is a reminder of the Lord’s work in our lives!

~ Jacqueline