Geraniums are a group of flowering plants native to the temperate regions of the world. They are usually perennial plants, with a few annual and biennial varieties. They are grown for their attractive foliage and showy flowers, which come in a range of colors. The flowers have five petals and are typically borne in clusters. The leaves are usually palmately lobed and are often aromatic. Geraniums are popular garden plants and can be grown in containers or beds. They need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.
Planning Your Garden With Geraniums
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Geraniums are usually grown as annuals, but some varieties are perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Geraniums are hardy in USDA Zones 8-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Geraniums are a warm season crop and can usually only tolerate temperatures as low as 32. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest geraniums is usually around 8-10 weeks. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown geranium plant is between 12 and 24 inches in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | The best spacing for growing geraniums is 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Geraniums have a high sun tolerance and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. |
| Shade tolerance | Geraniums are considered to be sun-loving plants and prefer full sun to partial shade. They will tolerate light shade, but will not flower as well in shady conditions. |
| Water requirements | Geraniums prefer well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist. They should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. It is best to water in the morning so that the foliage has time to dry off before nightfall. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing geraniums depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the type of geranium you are growing. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 is recommended. For container-grown geraniums, use 1/4 teaspoon of fertilizer per gallon of soil. For outdoor-grown geraniums, use 1/2 teaspoon of fertilizer per gallon of soil. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing geraniums is 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Geraniums are Popular
People like to grow geraniums because they are easy to grow, have beautiful blooms, and are available in a wide variety of colors. They also attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and can be used to create stunning container gardens. Geraniums are also drought tolerant and can thrive in full sun or partial shade.
Companion Plants For Geraniums
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for geraniums include:
Common Pests For Geraniums
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow geraniums, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- thrips
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
