Geranium Care Guide: How to Grow and Care for Geraniums

Geranium is a genus consisting of over 400 species of flowering plants known as geraniums or cranesbills. Geraniums bloom in showy bright pink (and sometimes dark red) symmetrical flowers that can be used as bedding plants in your garden, flower bed, or planted inside. During the winter months, outdoor-grown geraniums remain alive underground via creeping rhizomes that sprout again in the spring. Dwarf varieties of geraniums will grow up to eight inches, while other species will reach three feet in height in the right growing conditions.

Geraniums make excellent houseplants when given the right amount of water and exposure to the sun. They typically thrive in climates in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 12. In the winter, you should bring your geraniums indoors before the first frost so they can bloom year-round. Otherwise, You can plant your geraniums in early spring after the first frost has passed for a summer bloom time. They will go dormant over the winter season and bloom again in the spring. Geraniums prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade.

Growing geraniums from stem cuttings is the fastest road to propagation, though you can also grow them from seeds or from dividing plants. Once they’re started, these tough plants don’t need much help to grow on their own. Here is how to grow geraniums from plant cuttings.

1. 1. Make your cuttings. Wait until a geranium plant is in bloom to make your cuttings, which should be by the spring or summer. Cut the stem just above a node, and strip off any leaves one to two inches from the tip.
2. 2. Choose your planting spot. If you’re planting your geraniums in an outdoor container or garden, choose a spot that has plenty of shade as your plant establishes itself. Once its roots are established, you can move your plant to a spot with full sun. If you’re planting your geraniums in a pot, make sure there are sufficient drainage holes to make sure you have well-draining soil.
3. 3. Prepare your soil. Start your cuttings in warm, moist, well-draining potting soil. Treat it with a rooting hormone, which can help it to establish itself more quickly.
4. 4. Plant your cutting. Plant your cutting in your pot filled with soil. Bring it outside during the day into the sun to help jump-start its growth. It should be in full bloom in about a month. At this point, you can choose to continue growing your geranium in your pot, or move it outside into your garden bed. Space your plants eight to 12 inches apart and apply a two-inch layer of mulch to the area after sowing. If growing indoors, water once a month or when the top inch of soil appears becomes dry.

Geraniums are hardy plants that can adapt to different types of soil and climates once they have been established. Here are a few tips to follow when caring for your geraniums.

1. 1. Water routinely. Water your geraniums often—at least once a week—but be sure to allow soil to dry up slightly between waterings. Decrease watering in the winter, and watch the soil to make sure that the roots don’t get too dry. If you’re growing your plants indoors, choose containers with good drainage to prevent root rot and other fungal diseases.
2. 2. Prune occasionally. Remove (or ‘deadhead’) any wilting geranium flowers regularly. This encourages new growth and keeps your plant blemish-free. Regular deadheading can also prevent disease. You may also pinch back stems to make your geraniums bushier.
3. 3. Fertilize if needed. Fertilize your geraniums every two months using half-strength fertilizer that’s water-soluble. Do not fertilize in the winter to allow your bushes to go dormant. Over fertilizing may result in lush foliage, but poor blooms.

Geraniums are toxic to both dogs and cats. If you are growing your geraniums inside and you have pets, make sure to keep them out of their reach.

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