When to Plant Geraniums in Minnesota
Geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) are tender perennials grown as warm-season annuals throughout North America. Prized for their bold flower clusters, long bloom period, and tolerance of summer heat when planted in well-drained soil, they anchor window boxes, containers, and bed borders from late spring until hard frost. Zones 9b–11b can overwinter plants in the ground.
Minnesota spans USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
Find Your County
Click your county for exact Geraniums planting dates based on your local frost dates.
Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.
Geraniums Planting Calendar for Minnesota
▸ Zone 3b ~135 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: May 10 · First frost: September 22 · 135 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 22 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 24 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Bloom | August 2 | Aug 2 – Sep 27 |
▸ Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 18 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 20 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Bloom | July 29 | Jul 29 – Sep 30 |
▸ Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 13 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Bloom | July 17 | Jul 17 – Sep 25 |
▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 14 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Bloom | July 11 | Jul 11 – Oct 3 |
Growing Tips for Minnesota
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination is slow and erratic without bottom heat (70–75°F). Transplant after frost danger passes. Geraniums rarely direct-sown; cuttings or transplants are the standard. Deadhead spent umbels weekly to maintain continuous bloom. Let soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. In zones 10–11 plants may be left in ground year-round or overwintered as houseplants.
Geraniums in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Geraniums in Minnesota?
Planting dates for Geraniums in Minnesota depend on your USDA zone. Minnesota spans zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Minnesota for planting?
Minnesota contains USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.