How to Grow Geranium Flowers (Pelargonium)

About Growing Geranium Flowers Indoors or Outdoors

Geranium flowers (Pelargonium) are easy to grow perennials that fit well in home gardens, container gardens, flower beds, and even as house plants. In northern regions, they are often grown as annuals. We like growing geraniums for their big, bright blooms. And, they are so easy to grow almost anywhere. Perennial Geraniums make great flowers for kids.

Home gardeners use Geranium plants in a wide variety of ways. They are well suited for container gardens by themselves, or with other flowers. You can use them to make a potted gift for a friend for any occasion. They grow well in flower gardens along with your other favorites.

Geraniums are native to semi-arid regions of southern Africa and Australia.

When the weather gets cold these hardy plants will withstand light frosts and patiently await transplanting into containers to move them indoors. Smaller, dwarf varieties make the best house plants. Geraniums like lots of sun. So, put them in a sunny window or room. They prefer temperatures below 70 degrees.

Geranium Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Shades of pink, red, and white.

Flowers Bloom: Continuous blooms from mid-summer to the first Fall frost.

Plant Height: 12″ – 15″.

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0.

Hardiness Zone: 9 – 12. This adaptable plant grows well in most hardiness zones.

Toxicity: Non-toxic.

Native To: Southern Africa, Australia.

Plant Type: Short-lived perennial.

Botanical Name: Pelargonium

Are Geranium Plants Edible?

YES! Both the leaves and flowers are edible.

They add color and aroma to meats, salads, and desserts.

Medicinal Uses for Geraniums

There are several medicinal l uses for Pelargonium. Here are just some of them:

Rub some of the oils on your skin. It repels mosquitos and ticks.
Speed up healing of cuts and bruises, eczema, and sunburns.
Treat diarrhea.
It relieves anxiety, PMS, and menopause.
Use it to relieve the pain of shingles.
It reduces inflammation.
Use it for insomnia.

Annual Geranium Plant Propagation

Geraniums can be grown from seed or cuttings. Geranium seeds take up to two weeks to sprout. And, it takes a while for the young seedling to grow. So, most people take cuttings and root them in water. It/’s fun to watch the roots as they quickly develop. And, gives your plants a head start. How to Propagate Plants from Cuttings

You can also buy small plants from garden stores at very low prices and plant them around the garden and in containers. Plant them in full or partial shade.

We recommend starting plants indoors. Plant geranium seeds in peat pots 4-6 weeks before the last frost in your area. Then, transplant seedlings after the last frost in your area.

Days to Germination: 7 to 14 days.

How to Grow Geranium Flowers Indoors

Geraniums live approximately 18 months. They will last over the winter as indoor houseplants. However, they may bloom less often or even not at all. Providing them with more sun or artificial light should result in better blooming.

Getting them to bloom indoors is sometimes a little difficult, as they often go dormant, or grow slowly. After transplanting, place them in a cool, but sunny location. Cut them back by about 1/3. Don’t overwater. They prefer soil on the dry side. Fertilize once a month.

If you want to grow cuttings, snip off several new growths, about 3-4 inches in length. Then stick them in moist potting soil. Keep the soil moist and they will root. Comes spring they are just about the right size for planting in a container on the porch or directly in the garden.

How to Grow Annual Geranium Flowers Outdoors

Geraniums can be grown from seed or cuttings. But, most people buy small plants from garden stores at very low prices and plant them around the garden and in containers. For best performance and growth, provide them with six to eight hours of sunlight. Plant them in full or partial shade. In hotter regions of the country, grow them in partial shade or filtered sunlight.

Geranium plants grow well in heavier, clay soils. For optimum growth, use a mixture of two parts clay, one part sand, and one part and humus. While they will tolerate poor soil, add compost and a general-purpose fertilizer to maximize growth and plant health.

Just before blooming, stop adding nitrogen. Too much nitrogen in the soil can result in all leaves and no flowers. Cool nights will also promote blooms.

Allow the soil to dry between watering. Overwatering results in the yellowing of leaves.

Garden Tip: To promote continuous blooming, pinch or cut off the blooms after they die.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.

Insects and Plant Disease

Yet one more benefit of these plants is they are seldom bothered by insects and diseases. Insects and other pests do not like the scent of the plant. In literally decades, of growing geraniums, we have never sprayed for either insects or disease. And, we hope you have the same experience. However, if a problem does occur, treat it early.

Plant Hardiness

Here is one perennial that will withstand the cold. It can withstand light frosts before going dormant for the winter. It is among the hardiest of plants and will compete with Chrysanthemums for the honor of being one of the last plants to flower before cold weather arrives.

Overwintering Geranium Plants

Asa warm weather perennial, the plants grow and bloom year-round in hotter areas of the country.

In colder climates, freezing temperatures will kill them. That’s why most northern gardeners and homeowners grow them as annuals. To overwinter the plants, transplant them into containers. Then, place them in a garage or greenhouse during the winter months. Or, move them indoors near a sunny window.