How to Grow Geranium Flowers (Pelargonium)

About Growing Geranium Flowers Indoors or Outdoors

Geranium flowers (Pelargonium) are easy to grow annuals that fit well in home gardens, container gardens, flower beds, and even as house plants. We like growing geraniums for their big, bright blooms. And, they are so easy to grow almost anywhere. Annual 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.

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.

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

Flower Colors: Pink, Red, and White.

Plant Height: 12″ – 15″

Flowers Bloom: Summer thru Fall.

Annual Geranium Plant Propagation

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. 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.

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

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.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0.

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. 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.