Geranium Information
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.
niums outdoors, you must wait until all threat of frost has passed. Pick a spot that is sheltered from strong winds and gets at least 6 hours of sun a day. The soil should be well drained and mildly acidic (pH of 6.5 is ideal). Geraniums need fertilization for best growth and they thrive in beds that have a good supply of nitrogen. Before planting, apply a 5-10-5 fertilizer to the soil. After planting, you should fertilize every month with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Mulch the area and water at least once a week.
To grow geraniums in outdoor planters, use a soil that is well aerated. Put them in a spot that will get 6 to 8 hours of sun and fertilize with a commercial fertilizer monthly. Water once a week or as needed – do not let the plant sit in water, make sure your container has adequate drainage. If you find your plant looks wilted it may need to be moved to a larger container.
Indoor Geraniums
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
Healing Properties
The geranium has been used to heal many ailments 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.
The healing oils can be infused and applied topically or ingested as a tea or essential oil.
Since the geranium has antiseptic properties, it is reputed to help restore balance in the skin and hair when applied topically. As a calming herb, drinking geranium tea can help relieve stress.
In addition to it’s astringent qualities, the geranium also has soothing qualities and is helpful in relieving symptoms of anxiety as well as PMS and menopausal symptoms. The geranium is reputed to help heal bruises, cuts and scrapes, eczema, hemorrhoids, nail fungus and sunburns as well as help with insomnia and varicose veins. It is also said to be a great natural insect repellent and is well known in the ancient world as a tick repellent for dogs and humans alike!
Teas can be made from dried or fresh leaves and 1 cup of water. When using dried leaves, 2 teaspoons is enough. When using fresh leaves ¼ cup should be used. Boil the water and pour over the leaves. Let steep for 5 minutes then strain out the leaves and enjoy!
Put dried herbs in a dish that can be covered tightly and pour boiling water over them. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain out the herbs and soak a cotton cloth in the infused water. Apply damp cloth as a compress.
For a herbal infusion, you want to infuse olive oil with your herb. Find a jar that can be tightly covered and fill with the botanicals til it is 1” from the rim. Pour in extra virgin olive oil to cover. Sit on the windowsill for 2 weeks. Shake it every day. Strain out the flowers and store in the refrigerator. It should keep for 3 months.
Geranium Pests
Caterpillars - some caterpillars like to much on geraniums (perhaps they have heard of it’s medicinal properties?). These can be controlled with sprays.
Aphids - try controlling aphids with ladybugs or a special spray.
Whitefly - usually starts in the greenhouse but can spread to the garden on infested plants. Small white flys and black sooty goop can be seen on the leaves which will fall off after turning yellow. Can be controlled with sprays.
Mites - Causes leaves to curl and drop off – control with sprays.
Termites - Subterranean termites tunnel through the stems of geraniums causing them to turn yellow and die. Treat the soil with the appropriate termite treatment. Don’t let them get to your house!
Slugs - slugs love gardens but they also love beer. Leave a saucer out and you will catch more than your fair share of slugs!
Geranium Disease
Geraniums are hardy, but like any plant can be susceptible to disease. Some common disease are Black Leg where the stem becomes blackened and the leaves fall off, Leaf Spot where leaves become spotted and drop off, Gray Mold where the plant has gray moldy spots, Rust where the plant gets rusty looking spots and leaves turn yellow and drop off, Root Knot nematodes -swelled roots and stunted growth and Dropsy which produces lesions on the plants.
To combat most disease, remove all leaves that are infected, make sure you do not take cuttings from any plant with disease. When watering make sure you do not splash the leaves.
Buy Geraniums:
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Of Interest:
International Geranium Society
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.
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