Tools and Materials
Materials
Geranium seeds or seedlings
Well-draining soil
- Fertilizer
- Pots
How to Plant Geraniums
Before growing geraniums, the first thing to do is to put them in a place where they'll get plenty of sunlight. They need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you're planting them in your yard, make sure the soil drains water well so their roots don't rot. If you're using pots, just be sure they have holes at the bottom for water to drain out.
Some geraniums will do well if grown in partial shade, particularly in very hot regions, but prefer full sunlight for flowering.
Before planting your geraniums, it's important to prep the soil as well. Geraniums do well in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH between 6 and 7). If you have heavy or clay soil, then adding some compost will help the water drain better and give the plants the nutrients they need to grow strong.
Now that you've chosen the right spot and prepared the soil, it's time to plant. First, With your trowel, dig a hole in your prepared soil or potting mix that's slightly larger than the root ball of your geranium plant. This gives the roots room to spread.
Gently put your geranium in the hole so the top of its roots are even with the ground. If you're planting seeds, sow them indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date and then transplant them outdoors when there's no more chance of frost.
Avoid planting too deep, as this can cause root stress.
Watering your geraniums the right way is super important to keep them happy and healthy. Geraniums need to be watered thoroughly but not too frequently. Water the plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so be careful not to water too often.
Container geraniums may need more frequent watering, especially during the summer months when the soil dries out faster.
Feeding your geraniums can help them grow bushy and bloom beautifully. If your plants look a little pale or aren't flowering much, it might be time to give them their fertilizer. Feed your geraniums with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, which should have an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. This step is important for anyone looking to understand how to take care of geraniums effectively.
If you give your geraniums too much fertilizer, they might grow lots of leaves but not many flowers.
To keep your geraniums looking great and blooming, remember to prune and deadhead regularly. Deadheading means cutting off old flowers so the plant can make new ones. Pruning involves trimming long stems to help the plant stay bushy and full. Just grab a sharp scissor and snip off the faded flowers and any overly long stems. Doing this often helps your plants stay healthy and show.
Clean up the cut-offs to keep your garden neat and free from disease.
Geraniums are tough plants, but like any plant, they can attract pests such as aphids or spider mites. Inspect your plants regularly for signs of pests, and use insecticidal soap or neem oil to keep them at bay.
Your geranium care doesn't end once they're planted. Regular maintenance will help your plants stay healthy and beautiful.