Photos by R A Kearton//Getty ImagesDo Overwinter: Annual Geranium
There are two basic ways to save annual geraniums (Pelargonium): Bring the whole pot inside, cutting back by one-third, and placing in a bright sunny window or under a grow light. Water the plants thoroughly when the soil becomes mostly dry.
Or dig up plants and remove all soil from them, store them in a brown paper bag, and soak the roots a few times during the winter so they don’t become overly dry. In the spring, pot up and take outdoors when the threat of frost has passed.
Read more: Gorgeous Geranium Varieties That Add a Ton of Garden Charm
Do Overwinter: Citrus Tree
I don’t bring many houseplants outdoors in summer except for my citrus trees, which adore baking on my brick patio all summer long. However, these absolutely must be sprayed off before bringing in and inspected and isolated for most of the winter to ensure you don’t bring any hitchhiking pests indoors.
These trees do okay-ish in a sunny east, west or south-facing window, but with the dearth of daylight hours in winter, they do far better under an LED grow light for 12 to 14 hours per day.
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Do Overwinter: Rosemary
Rosemary can be fussy inside our super-dry homes in winter, but I’ve had success by bringing the entire potted plant indoors, keeping it in a sunny east or west-facing window, and watering when the surface feels dry.
One of my rosemary plants became so huge from many years of being shuttled in and out that I could no longer fit the pot through the door! If you have no room indoors, it will also do fine in unheated garage or covered porch. It’s a surprisingly sturdy plant.
Read more: How to Grow an Indoor Herb Garden
Do Overwinter: Fig
Many figs are not hardy in USDA zones 5 or colder. After the first frost or two, when all the foliage has dropped, bring your potted fig indoors or shelter it in an unheated garage or basement. Water occasionally, about once a month. I also elevate it off the cold floor with a plant stand.
Your fig tree may look rough and try to sprout early before you can take it back outdoors, but have faith. Most figs are incredibly tough plants; trim them back hard in the spring and place outdoors when temperatures no longer drop into the 40s at night.
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Do Overwinter: Bird of Paradise
This handsome tropical plant makes a beautiful floor plant indoors, and I’ve learned it’s surprisingly hardy in low light conditions. Bring in the entire pot and place in a sunny window.
I have mine in an east-facing window that doesn’t get a ton of sun during the winter, yet this plant has thrived and gotten so large that it’s touching my 9-foot ceiling. Water every 10 days or so when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
Read more: How to Care for Bird of Paradise Plant
Do Overwinter: Canna Lily
I find cannas the easiest of all of the tender tropicals to overwinter. In zones 7 and colder, you must dig up the rhizomes because they won’t survive a freeze.
After the first frost or two, cut back the foliage to within about 6 inches of the ground. Then lift the rhizomes with a garden fork or spade, and store in a paper bag in an unheated space, such as a basement or garage, where it won’t freeze. In the spring when all threat of frost has passed, divide and replant.
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Do Overwinter: Dahlia
Dahlias tubers also are easy to save; after the first frost or two, cut back the foliage to within 6 inches of the soil, then store in an unheated area that won’t freeze.
Layer them in vermiculite, peat moss, or cedar shavings in a plastic container without a lid, or in a paper bag. Check the tubers once a month, and spritz if too dry. Replant next spring when all danger of frost has passed.
Read more: How to Save and Divide Dahlia Tubers for Next Year
Don’t Overwinter: Boston Fern
The lower light levels indoors cause them to drop fronds. And then drop some more. And then drop some more. Messy!
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Don’t Overwinter: Mandevilla
I’ve tried both leaving it potted and bringing it in, or cutting it back first and then bringing it in. Neither was a success. Due to the lower light levels, these plants did nothing but drop foliage and ooze white sap.
Don’t Overwinter: Tropical Hibiscus
These tender tropicals (not the hardy perennial types, which can survive in USDA Hardiness zones 5 and warmer) caused me nothing but frustration with dropped foliage and an ongoing battle with aphids.
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Don’t Overwinter: Gardenia
This finicky beauty prefers high humidity levels, so it typically drops both leaves and buds instantly once indoors.
Don’t Overwinter: Lavender
Types of lavender that aren’t cold-hardy in my area, such as Spanish lavender, just don’t like the dry, heated indoor air.
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