Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum)

4 inch potted geranium

Tips For Growing Geraniums

Geraniums are one of the most popular plants in the garden. You can plant a mass of them in a bed for a stunning focal point, planted in containers they put on a stunning display of elegance. And when the weather turns chilly, start to move them inside to a sunny window sill and they’ll make a lovely houseplant. And last but not least, they are so easy to care for.

Geraniums at Goffle Brook FarmsJust in time for father’s day, 4 inch potted geraniums are at the garden center. With a couple of these and some annuals tossed into the mix and maybe a touch of whimsical decor, well you could put together one sweet looking gift for dad this year! When grown in pots, geraniums can be moved at a moment’s notice, whether to show them off near an entry, create a focal point of interest to an outdoor living area, to bring them indoors during surprise freezes, or to move them to a shadier spot in the dog days of summer.

Geraniums need lots of direct sun to bloom well, so plant them in a location where they can soak up the sun rays. These plants need to be grown in well-draining potting soil as well. When growing geraniums outdoors, they require moist, well-draining soil similar to that of indoor potting soil with equal amounts of soil, peat, and perlite. Locate your geraniums in an area with at least six to eight hours of sunlight. Space plants about 8 to 12 inches apart and around the same depth as their original planting pots. Mulching the plants is also recommended to help retain moisture.

Depending on where or how you grow geranium plants, their needs will be somewhat different. Indoors, geraniums need lots of light for blooming but will tolerate moderate light conditions. They also need indoor temps of around 65-70 degrees F. (18-21 C.) during the day and 55 degrees F. (13 C.) at night.

Whether indoors or out, geranium care is pretty basic. They are relatively drought-tolerant but they still require moisture; but beware, they will more than likely rot if the potting mix stays wet for too long. This is easily preventable, water only when the top inch of the growing medium is dry, and make sure that moisture can easily drain away through holes in the pot. Geraniums can survive a fair amount of neglect but should be watered before the roots dry completely out.

Geraniums at Goffle Brook Farms

Fertilization couldn’t be easier. Just us Miracle Gro Plant Food Spikes (available at the garden center) and with these time release spikes your plant will be fed for the next three months. You’ll be amazed at how these promote lush foliage and beautiful blooms for all flowering and foliage house plants.

Eventually all plants will need repotted once they become root bound or overgrown for the pot size. You can tell if they are by the wilting of the leaves between watering. Also regular deadheading of the spent blossoms will encourage and promote new blooms. Try to avoid overhead watering as this gets the leaves and stems saturated, possibly leading to pest and/or disease issues. Instead water with a spout and water the soil around the base of the plant itself slowly letting the water drain down. Geranium plants root easily from cuttings and can be propagated easily.

Here’s an interesting use of geraniums to create a stunning decor display 

Geraniums in Bicycle Planters

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423 Goffle Road Ridgewood,NJ 07450
(201) 652-7540