The method and the apparatus serve for sterilizing parisons made of a thermoplastic material which are provided for producing blow-molded containers. Sterilization is carried out using a plasma. A sterilizing device is provided, for this purpose, with a plasma generator. Sterilization is carried out following insertion of the parison into a blow-molding station or on a transfer wheel. The plasma is generated outside the parison and introduced into the parison.
