How To Grow Geraniums (Plant Seeds Or Cuttings)
To grow Geranium, it is best to plant its rooted stem cutting in well-draining soil.
Place the plant in partial shade to full sun, water infrequently and feed them on a regular basis.
Typically, geraniums are pretty easy to grow.
Broadly, you can propagate them via roots, seeds, or cuttings. Of these three methods, growing geraniums via cutting is the most dominant and the easiest method, whereas using roots or seeds is a less prevalent drill and needs more effort and time.
If you don’t know how to grow geranium through any of these methods. Don’t worry! It is simple to learn and that is what we are going to talk about today.
Using stem cuttings to grow geranium is a quick and easy method, and the resulting plants will have similar characteristics as the parent plant.
You can also grow geranium from seeds, but, as stated, this method is relatively longer and demands more patience.
Typically, propagating from roots is somewhat less common, but it can still be an option if you have multiple roots from a mature plant. However, we won’t be discussing this method today keeping in mind that there are more suitable methods than this one.
Under the right growing conditions and with little care, you can achieve healthy geraniums in your home or garden.
How To Plant Geranium – The Prerequisites
Whether you grow geraniums from cuttings or seeds, consider the following two things before planting.
1. Pick the correct geranium variety
It is vital to select the geranium variety that is well-suited for your particular growing conditions and intended use.
For instance, if you reside in dry and hot weather conditions, you may want to opt for a relatively drought-tolerant variety, such as the Zonal Geranium.
When growing in window boxes or hanging baskets, Ivy Geraniums are a better selection because of their trailing growth habit.
Scented Geraniums are priced for their fragrant leaves and are employed in herbal sachets and potpourri.
Hardy Geraniums are an excellent choice when you seek a low-maintenance plant that can thrive in different environmental conditions. These are hardy perennials and can withstand some shade and cooler temperatures.
Lastly, the Regal Geraniums are good if you need large, showy flowers. This variety can only be a good selection if you know how to grow geranium because Regal Geraniums are more tricky to grow than other Geranium varieties.
If you reside in cooler temperatures, opt for them only if you are up for a challenge.
When picking the geranium variety, consider factors like growth habits, bloom color, and disease resistance. Look for healthy plants with strong leaves and stems, and avoid plants with signs of damage or disease.
2. Prepping the soil or containers
Geraniums cherish well-draining soil rich in organic matter. If planting in the ground, prepare the soil by loosening it with a tiller or garden fork and adding compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
You can also add a slow-release fertilizer to feed geraniums with additional nutrients across the growing season.
When planting in containers, pick a pot with good drainage holes and employ a good-quality potting mix formulated exquisitely for container plants.
Do not use garden soil, as it can be compacted in the containers and hinder root growth. Fill the pot with potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant’s root ball.
You can also employ a slow-release fertilizer to the potting mix. It helps provide the plant with nutrients over time. While choosing the pot, ensure it is large enough to accommodate the plant’s mature size and ensure adequate room for root growth.
Geraniums like to be root-bound. So, avoid picking a container that is too large. Further, ensure the container is in a location that receives ample sun to cater to the need of your chosen geranium variety.
Hence, considering the above two steps before planting, you can ensure optimal health and growth for your geraniums.
How To Grow Geraniums From Seed?
Here is the first method and the steps to follow for growing geraniums from seeds:
- Begin with good-quality geranium seeds.
- Fill in the seed tray or pots with a good-quality potting mix.
- Sow the seeds thinly and cover them lightly with soil.
- Water the soil well and cover the pots or seed tray with a lid or plastic wrap.
- Keep the soil warm and moist until the seeds germinate.
- Once the seedlings have a few sets of leaves, transplant them into individual containers or pots with well-draining soil.
- Water the seedlings regularly and give them ample light.
- Harden the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting them in the garden.
We hope that clears your doubts about growing geraniums. Following these steps, you will successfully grow geraniums from seeds and enjoy their beautiful, fragrant blooms and foliage.
Please note geraniums growing from seeds might not always be true to the parent plant, and you may see variations in shape, color, and size.
How To Grow Geraniums From Cuttings?
Here are the steps you need to follow to grow geraniums from cuttings:
- Choose a healthy geranium plant and take cuttings from the stem about 3-4 inches long.
- Remove the leaves from the stem’s bottom half.
- Dip the cut end of the stem in the rooting hormone. It is one of the most crucial steps whether you want to know how to plant geranium roots or stem cuttings.
- Next, plant the cutting in the pot filled with a well-draining potting mix.
- Water the soil well and cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or container to establish a humid environment.
- Place the pot in a bright, warm location but away from direct sunlight.
- Inspect the soil regularly and water as needed to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- After a few weeks, check the roots by gently tugging on the stem. If you feel resistance, they have developed.
- Remove the plastic bag or container and move the pot to a sunny spot.
- Transplant the rooted cutting in the larger pot or the garden once it has been established.
With that, you have learned how to root geraniums, but an important question that may come to your mind is, ‘Should I root geraniums in soil or water? Which one is better?’
Please understand it is best to root geraniums in soil instead of water. Geraniums are typically susceptible to rotting if they sit in water for too long. Hence, rooting in soil is less risky.
Furthermore, if you follow all our steps on growing geraniums to the T and root in the soil, it helps the cuttings develop a robust root system, which later helps them establish faster and grow stronger in the long run.
But of course, some people have found success by rooting cuttings in water. So, it does not hurt to experiment and see which method works best for you.
What Is The Best Time To Plant Geraniums?
The best time to grow geraniums depends on the growing conditions and the climate. Generally, geraniums cherish warm weather and thrive in temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
You can grow geraniums outdoors in spring after the last frost has passed if you reside in a region with warm summers and mild winters.
On the contrary, if you want to know how to plant geraniums indoors, you must plant geraniums in containers that you can shift indoors during harsh weather if you reside in areas with hot summers or harsh winters.
If you decide to plant geraniums from seeds, you must start them indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost date in your area. It helps the plants to grow and establish before being transplanted outdoors.
Ideally, the best time to plant geraniums is during mild weather when the temperatures are consistently warm, as there is little risk of frost or extreme heat.
Related: Why are my geraniums dying?
Geranium Care and Maintenance
You have learned how to grow geranium, but merely knowing how to plant them is not enough. You must know how to care for newly planted geraniums to have them live their complete lifespan and fill your landscape with colors.
Fortunately, geraniums are easy to care for and are a prevalent choice for outdoor and indoor gardens. But keep in mind the below-listed things for geranium care and maintenance:
1. How frequently should geraniums be watered?
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Geraniums like to be watered deeply but infrequently. You can water around the plant’s base, ensuring it does not get to the leaves to avoid diseases.
If you don’t know how much water do geraniums need, let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. It helps prevent root rot. When growing geraniums in containers, ensure that it has drainage holes and water until it starts draining out from the holes.
2. How much sun for geraniums?
Geraniums thrive in full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct sun every day. However, they can endure different temperatures but thrive between 65 and 75°F (18 and 24°C).
When the outside temperature is too hot, here’s how to care for your geraniums in pots outdoor. Consider moving the geraniums to a location with some shade. It is imperative to avoid leaf burn and wilting.
3. Do geraniums like to be fertilized?
Geraniums like regular feeding. It helps promote abundant flowers and healthy growth.
Once learning how to grow geraniums, get your hands on a good plant feed.
It is recommended to apply a balanced fertilizer on geraniums. It should be soluble in water. Use it once a week throughout the growing season, while refraining from fertilizing during the winter months when the germaniums are dormant.
4. Do you cut back geraniums after flowering?
Deadheading the geraniums regularly by removing stem stems and blooms is vital for prolonged flowering.
So, prune back the geraniums in spring before the new growth starts. It helps trigger bushy blossoms and growth.
5. How do you keep geraniums pest free?
Geraniums are vulnerable to pests like spider mites, whiteflies, and aphids. To avoid infestation, keep the plants healthy and free of debris.
So, if you know everything correctly from how to root geraniums to transplanting them but do not care for pests; your plant won’t survive for long.
If there is a pest attack, you must immediately spray your plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Further, geraniums are also prone to fungal diseases like root rot and gray mold. To avoid these, do not overwater and ensure your plants have good air circulation.
6. How do you preserve geraniums for the winter – Overwintering them
You can overwinter the geraniums indoors in areas with harsh winters. Cut back the plant by one-third and move them indoors before the first frost.
Keep them near a sunny window and water sparingly. Prune them back once again in the spring and transplant them outdoors once the weather warms up.
