Geranium Care

Geranium care is easy as long as you plant them correctly. The common geranium, which is planted in garden beds, planters and even grown in doors is a member of the genus Pelargonium. Members of the genus Geranium are the wild geraniums that can be found growing wild but are also nice additions to a country garden and the herbaceous perennials.

The common geranium can be grown in beds or containers and will do well in either. The ivy leafed geranium is a natural for hanging planters. The Regal geranium does not do well outside and should be grown in a container that can be put outside on mild days and moved inside at night and during cold or hot weather.

geranium care is similar for plants in beds and containers. Geraniums should be planted in an area that is sheltered from strong winds. Put them in a spot where there will be full sun for 6 to 8 hours a day. Use a well drained soil that is slightly acidic. Prepare the bed by fertilizing with a 5-10-5 fertilizer. Once the flowers are planted, fertilize once a month with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Mulch the area and water once a week or as required.

geranium care for Planters

Geraniums will grow just as well in outdoor planters as in your garden bed. The key is to make sure you pick a planter big enough to support growth of the plant. Use a soil that has plenty of aeration like a commercial mix or garden dirt mixed with perlite. Use a container that will drain well and even add some rocks to the bottom so that your plant does not sit in the water. Plant in a sunny spot that is protected from strong wind. Fertilize monthly and water weekly.

geranium care for Indoor Plants

Having geraniums indoors is a nice way to bring your garden inside. Select a container that is big enough to allow for root growth and use a well aerated soil. The geranium will flower better if it is kept in a sunny spot and fertilized monthly while blooming (cut back to every 2 months during fall and winter). These plants like the temps to be in the mid 60’s during the day and mid 50’s at night

Find out about pests and diseases

More On Geraniums:

Healing Properties Of Geraniums
Explore the medicinal uses of this plant from healing skin to repelling insects to relieveing symptoms of PMS.

Geranium Care
How to plant and care for your Geraniums.

Geranium Pests And Disease
What's making your plant turn yellow? Find out what it could be and how to treat it.

Drink Geranium Tea For Relaxation
The wild geranium has medicinal properties and drinking a geranium tea can help relieve stress. The geranium has been used to heal many ailments for centuries. Producing essential oils around the leaves and flowers, this plant is native to South Africa and adorns gardens around the world. The healing oils are most potent right as the plant begins to flower.

Geraniums And PMS
Among the medicinal properties attributed to geraniums is the ability to help relieve the symptoms of PMS and menopause. Geraniums have astringent and antiseptic properties and have been used for healing and to repel insects for centuries. Native to South Africa, the plant produces essential oils in small glands around the foliage and flowers. The best time to harvest the oil is when the plant is just starting to flower.