Growing Geraniums (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to growing geraniums? ›

Grow geraniums in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Cut back in late summer and take cuttings to insure against winter losses. Most geraniums need protection in winter – move pots indoors in autumn to ensure they grow back the following year.

For success with geraniums, you need to know what kind you have so you can choose the best spot for planting. Most annual geraniums need a spot in full sun, except for the ivy geranium, which grows best in light shade. Perennial geraniums, on the other hand, grow in either sun or shade, depending on the type.

Geraniums love a full sun position in a well-drained soil. If your soil is a heavy clay or prone to waterlogging consider growing geraniums on mounds or in pots to improve drainage.

“One relatively weak liquid feed or a few chicken manure pellets will be fine for Geraniums,” explains Gary. “If you feed Geraniums too much, you can end up with all foliage and no flowers.” Miracle-Gro All Purpose is another good choice; it is available in both granular and liquid forms.

In most cases, the grounds are too acidic to be used directly on soil, even for acid-loving plants like blueberries, azaleas and hollies. Coffee grounds inhibit the growth of some plants, including geranium, asparagus fern, Chinese mustard and Italian ryegrass.

In order to keep a geranium compact and bushy and prevent it from getting leggy, it needs to be pruned hard at least once a year. The more regularly you prune your geranium, the better able a geranium is able to keep a pleasing shape. Spindly geraniums can also be the result of poor light conditions.

Rule 1: The ideal location for geraniums is warm and sunny

That's why they like it warm and bright. If you give them a sunny spot, they will thank you with lots of flowers. No need to worry about blazing midday sun, as geraniums can even tolerate this intense heat. Is your balcony not so spoilt by the sun?

The two most common reasons for geraniums not blooming prolifically are too little light or too much fertilizer. Geraniums are a sun loving plant that need 4-6 hours of full sun a day, or perhaps longer in somewhat filtered light. South and west exposures are usually best.

Geraniums like to be tucked in cozy, so don't put them in a pot too big. Crowd them in a bit with a small pot for one plant, or a slightly larger one for a few plants together nestled together.

It is important for you to water geranium plants one to two times a week so that they thrive well. Make sure you are not keeping the soil dry for long and also not too wet for long as it can harm the growth of the plant.

What makes geraniums thrive? ›

Geraniums require plenty of sunlight to flower, but in areas with hot summers, a bit of shade is recommended. When it comes to how much sunlight do geraniums need, the answer depends on the specific geranium and your garden zone. The ideal location has morning sun, afternoon shade and well-draining soil.

The recommendation for constant feed fertilizing of geraniums is generally 200 to 250 ppm of nitrogen. Experience suggests nutrient problems are minimized when a constant fertilizer program is used. Fertilizer types: 15-15-15 (Geranium Special), 15-16-17 Peat-lite, and 20-10-20 Peat-lite.

Geraniums in pots need to be watered daily. You also have to dead-head them (break off the spent blooms) to keep them fresh and constantly blooming. If your Geranium came from a greenhouse you will get some brown leaves until it adapts to its new environment. Just pop them off.