Pruning Overwintered Geraniums

Question

I wish I’d checked online last fall when I dug my geraniums, potted them, and brought them inside. I would have known to prune them back then. However, I didn’t, and now they’re growing and blooming but very leggy. Is now an acceptable time to prune them? I want them to look good when I put them back outdoors. We’re in mid-Michigan so they won’t be going back out until mid-May or later. Thanks!

Answer 1

I would not prune them now as this causes more stress for the plant. Prune them a week or two before you plant on putting them outside. Regardless of when you prune (before, now or later), they will not look great when you put them back outside. But they recover amazingly fast. In just a week or two after putting them back outside, you will see them regrow and start looking great again.