How to grow Geranium

Pelargonium hortorum · Zonal geranium, Pelargonium, Bedding geranium

The common zonal pelargonium, a bushy plant with rounded leaves, often with a darker zone, and clusters of single or double flowers in red, pink, white or salmon. It flowers all summer and is easy to grow in pots indoors or out.

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Family	Geraniaceae
Light	Full sun
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Soil for sowing	from 7 °C
Where it grows	At home

When to plant

Sow straight into the bed after your last spring frost, once the soil has warmed.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 28 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage; potassium, 56 days into the stage; potassium, 70 days into the stage; potassium, 84 days into the stage; potassium, 98 days into the stage; potassium, 112 days into the stage; potassium, 126 days into the stage; potassium, 140 days into the stage; potassium, 154 days into the stage; potassium, 168 days into the stage; potassium, 182 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 14 days	7…10 °C	—

Growing notes

Light

Needs full light, such as a sunny window, but shade it from scorching midday sun. In too little light the plants get leggy and flower poorly.

Soil

Well-drained multipurpose or loam-based potting compost.

Care

Pelargoniums are not thirsty; water moderately in spring and summer without letting the compost get too wet, and only sparingly in winter, letting it dry between waterings. Feed every 10–14 days in spring with a balanced liquid fertiliser, then every two weeks with a high-potassium feed once flower buds form; in autumn and winter feed at most once a month, and not at all if the plant is resting dry. Deadhead regularly and pinch out shoot tips in spring to keep the plant bushy. Good air flow helps prevent grey mould. Toxic to cats and dogs.

Pests and diseases of Geranium

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.