Geraniums Info and Care: Guide
Geraniums are excellent choices for container gardening that are highly valued around the world for their large, brightly colored flowers and their interesting and varied foliage. The genus’s name Pelargonium comes from the Greek word ‘Pelargos’; it means ‘stork’.
Geranium is a species of flowering plant in the Geraniaceae family, which is native to South Africa. It is popularly known as cranesbill and storksbill. The leaves of the Geranium species are reddish in color. The flowers appear in various colors including white, pink and purple.
In this post, we’ll talk about growing them and caring for them. We’ll look at propagating, pruning, and how to take care of this plant in winter.
Care For Your Plant
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Basic Geraniums Info:
The geranium is a perennial plant that spreads by rhizomes or, less commonly, by stolons. They have long-stalked, rounded, basal leaves and erect stems bearing either solitary flowers or flower clusters. The flower petals are round and deeply cut into two or three lobes, the fruit is a dry capsule containing several seeds.
Common types of geranium include the following:
Cranesbill Geranium
Zonal Geranium
Regal Geranium
Lighting Requirements for Geraniums
Geraniums are mostly shade-loving plants. However, the more light they receive, the more flowers they will produce. If you want to make this plant bloom more, then you need to provide them with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Soil Requirements
Geraniums prefer slightly acidic soil, with a pH around neutral to slightly alkaline. Soil should be well-drained but moisture-retentive and can be a peat-based mix. It grows well in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5.
Water Requirements
Geraniums need plenty of water, but no standing water. When watering, you should water the soil and not the leaves of the plant. When watering, you should try to avoid getting the leaves wet. You should set the plant in the sink or a bucket or large container and allow the water to run freely around the plant.
Water the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch. This might mean watering every other day, or it might mean watering every few days. It just depends on how quickly the soil dries out. Check the soil every day.
- Boldly flowering geraniums feature tight balls of bright blooms on 10- to 12-inch stems
- Versatile Ornamental flowers can be used in pots, hanging baskets or as a landscape border or accent
- Plants require full or partial sun, 8 to 10 hours a day
- Keep flowering plants flowering late into the season by deadheading expired blooms
- Avoid over-watering, water Only when soil has dried out almost completely
Temperature Requirements
The geraniums prefer a temperature of 60 to 70 degrees. Geraniums can be grown outside in zones 8 and higher, in containers in cooler areas. For best results, geraniums need full sun and warm climates. They can take a light frost but will fall victim to freezing temperatures. As they grow and age they need to be gradually acclimated to cooler temperatures.
Flowering Period
The geraniums usually bloom in spring and can last into fall. They flower best when temperatures are between 50 and 60 degrees. Geraniums do not require a long growing season. They can be planted in the fall and will flower in the spring.
Deadheading Requirements
Deadheading is not required unless it is a plant that is in a container and is being kept indoors. In this case, deadheading will help to remove the flower heads that are drying up. Any dead leaves that are seen are best plucked off with your hands, as the plants will photosynthesize better without dead leaves blocking the light.
Propagating
Geraniums are propagated by various methods, depending on the type of plant, the season of growth, and desired end result. New plants can be grown from seed, leaf cuttings, rhizome divisions, or by single- or double-stalked stem cuttings.
Stem cuttings can be taken at any time of the year, with spring or summer cuttings producing the best results. The seeds are best planted in the fall because geraniums won’t grow from seed sown during the hot months unless you use a special hydroponic propagating mix.
For containers, sow the seeds thinly in a mixture of sand and light potting soil. Cover the container with a plastic bag, and place it in the refrigerator for seven to 10 days, to bring about a natural chilling that will stimulate germination.
Prepare for Winter
Geraniums can be overwintered indoors in areas where they are not hardy. Keep the potting medium barely moist, move the container into a cool spot and slightly reduce the amount of water it gets. Be sure to bring the plant back out of the house when the weather warms up.
Common Pests and Diseases:
Aphids are a common problem for geraniums. Aphids suck the juices out of the leaves and flowers. They can be best controlled by handpicking them off the leaves and flowers.
Cucumber beetles can be a problem if they are not controlled. They are usually found on the underside of the leaves. The best way to control cucumber beetles is to keep your plants well-watered and mulch around the base of the plants to keep the soil moist.
Geraniums can suffer from caterpillar damage. Caterpillars are the larval stage of butterflies and moths. They feed on the leaves of the geraniums and are usually found on the underside of them.
If you find caterpillars on your geraniums, you can brush them off with a soft bristle brush. Alternatively, you can spray diluted dishwashing liquid on your plants to kill them.
Final Thoughts
Geraniums are easy to grow, and they can be easily started from seed. Once they have been established in the garden, they can be easily divided to make more plants. They can be planted in a variety of locations and soil types. They are one of the most popular plants for beginners, as they are easy to grow and maintain.
We have also shared some tips and advice on how to grow geraniums. If you follow these instructions, you will have a successful geranium growing season.
We hope that you have found this information useful.
Do Geraniums Come Back Every Year?
FAQ
Do geraniums prefer sun or shade?
Gardeners usually think of geraniums as plants that prefer shade and thus grow best in the part of the garden exposed to morning sun or afternoon shade. This is true of the African, French, and other tender geraniums, which are unable to tolerate the intense heat of the summer sun. But there are also many species and varieties of hardy geraniums that actually prefer full sun and flourish in it.
Do geraniums come back every year?
True hardy geraniums are perennials that return year after year in all but the most severe winter climates. In milder climates, they may only grow as a shrub that must be pruned back. In areas with a short growing season, mulch and provide winter protection to help them return in spring. If properly cared for, a common geranium can survive for 40 years or longer. The most common causes of geranium death are over-or under-watering, insects or illness, and cold snaps. They may become leggy and unsightly over time, requiring renewal or removal.
How long do geraniums last?
If properly cared for, a common geranium can survive for 40 years or longer. The most common causes of geranium death are over-or under-watering, insects or illness, and cold snaps. They may become leggy and unsightly over time, requiring renewal or removal.
Is geranium an annual or perennial?
Geraniums are perennial plants that bloom all summer long. If you want a big show-off of geraniums, plant them in full sun and water them regularly. Geraniums like to be kept moist, but not soggy, and they’ll grow best in loose, nutrient-rich soil.
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