Geranium

A popular container plant with rounded clusters of bright flowers and scented foliage that repels certain pests including mosquitoes and deer. Geraniums prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and moderate watering, tolerating dry spells better than most bedding plants. Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming and pinch growing tips to promote bushy, compact growth. In cold climates, bring plants indoors before frost or take cuttings in late summer to overwinter on a sunny windowsill for next season.

Geraniums are most commonly propagated from stem cuttings, which produce plants identical to the parent. Take four-inch cuttings from healthy stems, remove lower leaves, let cut ends dry for a few hours, and insert into moist perlite or vermiculite. Cuttings root in three to four weeks without rooting hormone. Seeds can be started indoors twelve to sixteen weeks before the last frost at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds are slow and uneven to germinate, taking seven to twenty-one days. Seed-grown geraniums are typically more compact than cutting-grown types.

The Season Plate

Your Geranium Year

Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1

Sow Geranium Apr – May, pick May – Oct. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.

Sowing window

Apr – May

re-timed to your frost dates

Plant out

after Apr 2

once frost risk has passed

First picking

around Jun 29

≈ 75 days from sowing · 8-15 flower per plant

Composed for —ColdTemperateMildWarmUse my locationUsed once to set your season · only the zone is kept

Week-by-week Geranium reminders watering, feeding and pruning, timed to your dates

In the app

Frost alerts for your garden a warning before a cold night costs you the crop

In the app

Succession sowing dates so the picking never gaps mid-season

In the app

Keep my dates — free for 7 daysWe nudge you as each window opens · cancel anytime

Geraniums (Pelargonium) are among the most versatile and forgiving bedding plants available. Purchase transplants in spring or start from cuttings taken the previous fall. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil or premium potting mix, spacing plants twelve to fifteen inches apart in beds or using one to three plants per twelve-inch container. Geraniums tolerate heat and moderate drought but perform best with consistent moisture.

Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, as geraniums are susceptible to stem rot in constantly wet conditions. Feed every two to three weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Deadhead spent flower clusters by snapping them off at the base of the stem to encourage continuous blooming and keep plants tidy.

Pinch growing tips on young plants to encourage bushy, compact growth and more flowering stems. In areas with hot summers, geraniums may slow their blooming during peak heat but rebound vigorously as temperatures cool in early fall. Before the first frost, bring container geraniums indoors to a sunny windowsill or take cuttings for winter propagation. Plants can also be overwintered dormant by hanging bare-root plants in a cool, dark basement and replanting in spring.

Geraniums are traditional companion plants for roses, where their scented foliage is believed to deter Japanese beetles and aphids. They pair well with petunias, lobelia, and sweet alyssum in containers and borders. Scented-leaved varieties planted near patios and walkways release fragrance when brushed. In vegetable gardens, geraniums can serve as trap plants for certain pests, drawing them away from food crops.

The Society Table

Rose belongs beside it. Fennel doesn't.

Old growers' knowledge, checked against Geranium's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.

Grows well in the company of · 3

RosePetuniaMarigold

Keep apart · 1

Fennel

Plant Geranium with good neighboursThe planner flags conflicts before they're in the ground

Geraniums prefer fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. In containers, use a quality soilless potting mix with good drainage. Geraniums are moderate feeders that respond well to balanced liquid fertilizer applied every two to three weeks during active growth. Slow-release granular fertilizer mixed into container soil at planting reduces the need for frequent feeding. Avoid over-fertilizing, which produces lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Magnesium deficiency causes yellowing between leaf veins and is corrected with Epsom salt.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

Geraniums are primarily enjoyed in the garden and containers rather than as cut flowers, though stems can be cut for small indoor bouquets. Cut when the first florets in a cluster have opened. Deadhead spent flower trusses regularly by snapping them off cleanly at the base of the flower stem. This is the single most important maintenance task for continuous blooming. Remove yellowing lower leaves to maintain an attractive appearance and prevent disease. For seed saving, allow a few seed pods to form and dry on the plant.

Storage & Preservation

Geranium stems last only three to five days in water, so they are not ideal cut flowers. Their real value is their extended garden season. To overwinter geraniums, dig plants before frost, shake off soil, and hang upside down in a cool, dark basement at 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Mist roots monthly to prevent complete desiccation. In spring, repot in fresh soil, cut stems back to six inches, water, and place in bright light. Alternatively, take four-inch stem cuttings in late summer and root in moist perlite for fresh plants next spring.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Yellowing lower leaves are the most common complaint and usually indicate overwatering, poor drainage, or natural aging of older foliage. Leggy growth results from insufficient light or failure to pinch growing tips. Geraniums that stop blooming during the hottest weeks of summer typically resume once nighttime temperatures cool. Edema, or raised corky spots on leaf undersides, occurs when plants absorb water faster than they can transpire it, usually in cool, overcast weather with warm soil.

Growing Tips

1. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Geraniums are semi-succulent and store water in their thick stems, making them far more tolerant of underwatering than overwatering, which quickly causes root rot.
2. Use a well-draining potting mix with added perlite or coarse sand. A blend of 60% peat-free compost, 20% perlite, and 20% coarse horticultural sand provides ideal drainage and aeration for container-grown geraniums.
3. Deadhead spent flower clusters by tracing the flower stem back to its origin on the main branch and snapping it off cleanly. This redirects energy into new bud production rather than seed formation.
4. Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for maximum flowering. Geraniums tolerate partial shade but will produce fewer flowers and leggier growth in low-light conditions.
5. Feed with a high-potassium fertilizer (such as tomato feed) every 10-14 days during the active growing season to promote abundant, richly colored flowers rather than excessive foliage growth.
6. Take stem cuttings of 8-10 cm in late summer or early autumn. Remove the lower leaves, allow the cut end to callus for a few hours, then insert into moist perlite or vermiculite. Most cuttings root within 2-3 weeks without rooting hormone.
7. Pinch out the growing tips of young plants when they reach 10-15 cm tall to encourage branching and create a fuller, more compact shape. Repeat pinching on new side shoots for an exceptionally bushy plant.
8. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering, as damp leaves in warm conditions are highly susceptible to botrytis (gray mold) and bacterial leaf spot. Water at the base of the plant or use drip irrigation.
9. Bring container geraniums indoors before nighttime temperatures regularly fall below 7°C (45°F). Place them in a bright, cool room and reduce watering to once every two to three weeks during their winter dormancy period.
10. Rotate container-grown geraniums a quarter turn each week to ensure even light exposure on all sides, preventing the plant from becoming lopsided as it leans toward the brightest light source.