Common geraniums feature appealing foliage with rounded to kidney-shaped leaves.
Foliage may be ruffled or marked with a dark interior line that mirrors the shape of the leaf.
They are versatile plantsthat work well in mixed pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes.
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Geraniums are mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Geranium Care
Geraniums offer a lot of enjoyment for little effort.
Give them plenty of sun, remove spent flowers and they will bush out and produce multiple blooms.
This is a dependable, showy plant for home gardeners that performs well with minimal care.
Light
Place your geraniums in a location that receives six to eight hours of sunlight daily.
In climates with hot summers, plants benefit from some afternoon shade.
Soil
Organically rich soil that drains well is best for growing geraniums.
Use a quality, loose potting mix for container-grown plants.
Geraniums thrive in soil with an average to slightly alkaline pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
It’s a good idea to test for pH levelbefore planting.
Levels lower than 6.0 cause excessive uptake of iron and manganese which can damage foliage.
Water
Water potted geraniums and young bedding plants two to three times weekly.
Allowing soil to dry out completely before irrigating encourages a greater number of blooms.
These are short-lived, tropical perennials that may continue to bloom year-round in USDA zones 9 to 12.
Temperatures of 85F or higher along with high humidity cause wilting and yellowing of foliage.
Withhold fertilizer if your potting medium already has it in the mix.
Types of Geraniums
Pruning
Pruning includes pinching back to encourage lush, full growth.
Deadheading spent flowers on types that produce significant blooms is key for continuous flowering.
Branches are pinched back just above a leaf node.
Remove flower stems at their base.
Check regularly and remove any damaged stems or foliage.
Propagating Geraniums
Common geraniums are easily propagated from cuttings.
They will root in either water or soil, however cuttings planted in soil root more vigorously.
Cuttings can be taken anytime but you’ll get best results propagating geraniums during summer months.
The fleshy stems cause water to become cloudy fairly quickly so it’s important to freshen the water frequently.
Rooting may take a little longer but you’ll have the advantage of being able to see them develop.
How to Grow Geraniums From Seed
Geraniums grow easily but slowly whenstarted from seed.
Flowering can take up to between four and five months so plan to sow seeds in February.
Although germination is dependable seedlings are prone to damping off so use new or sterilized equipment.
Raising these plants in a heated greenhouse or under fluorescent lights works best.
You’ll need a soilless planting medium, seed starting tray, plastic dome, and light source.
Move purchased plants into a 10-inch pot with plenty of drainage holes using a quality potting mix.
Terracotta is a good choice.
If your potting mix includes fertilizer you won’t need to feed.
Overwintering
Common geraniums can be overwintered to bloom a second year.
In zones 9 to 12 they may grow as short lived perennials blooming year round.
However, they are mostly grown as annuals and replaced every year.
A strong spray with a hose or program of neem oil usually eradicates and controls these pests.
Plants are also vulnerable to fungal infections like botrytis androot rot.
Avoid overwatering and apply an appropriate fungicide when necessary.
Give them plenty of sun and allow soil to dry out between waterings.
How Long Do Geraniums Bloom?
Geraniums have extended bloom periods with some varieties blooming all season long into autumn.
Plants produce multiple blooms that each last one to two weeks.
Deadheading spent flowers encourages successive flowering.
What Do Geranium Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Blooms vary in size according to geranium jot down with scented geraniums producing the smallest flowers.
Popular colors are red, white, and pink but new cultivars are introduced regularly including two-toned flowers.
Flowers are not fragrant however foliage often has a noticeable pungent aroma.
Scented geraniums stand out for specific fragrances assigned to the foliage such as rose, lemon, and nutmeg.
Allowing soil to dry out between waterings also encourages more flowers.
Deadheading Geraniums
It’s important to remove both the flower and its stem when deadheading.
Use your fingers or a snipper to pinch the stem near its base where new growth has started.
Most common problems are due to errors in care and can be corrected when caught early.
Few Blooms
If your plant produces scanty flowers, it may be getting too much heat.
Try moving potted plants into a shaded area in the afternoon.
Too much fertilizer also slows flower production.
Yellow Foliage
Consider your watering schedule since both overwatering and underwatering cause leaves to yellow.
Levels below 6.0 are too acidic for geraniums and also cause chlorosis.
Spindly Growth
Insufficient light causes plants to become leggy.
Place geraniums in a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of bright sunlight daily.
Geraniums are excellent container plants.
Common geraniums can bloom for two years if given winter protection in colder climates.
They act as short-lived perennials in zones 9 to 12 blooming year-round in the right conditions.
Potted geraniums can do well as indoor plants provided you could give them enough light exposure.
