Annual geraniums (Pelargonium) are popular choices for summer flower beds or container plantings. From classic solid colors in pastels or jewel tones, to the delightful two-toned bicolors of Martha Washington geraniums, these blooming powerhouses are a reliable way to add color to your summer containers and beds.
Although geraniums are considered fairly low-fuss, sometimes they get droopy or don’t seem to bloom too enthusiastically. Like any annual flower, paying attention to their watering and other growing needs is often key to coaxing blooms, experts say. Here’s what to look for.
Meet the Expert
Linda Pereira is a professional horticulturist who works with Cavicchio Greenhouses, Inc.
Emma Daugherty is the director of marketing for Colorado’s Bath Center Garden and Nursery.
Infrequent Deadheading
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“Geraniums, like most annuals, look their best with frequent deadheading,” Linda Pereira of Caviccio Greenhouses, says.
Daugherty says the best method is to clip the spent flowers at the stem using clean pruners or garden shears. It’s important to do this on a regular basis, so try for once weekly.
“If you don’t remove spent blooms, the plant will start to allocate energy to seed production,” Daugherty explains.
Insufficient Sunlight
A common reason for geraniums failing to flower vigorously is lack of sunlight. Emma Daugherty, marketing director for Bath Garden Center and Nursery in Colorado, says geraniums need at least six hours of direct sunlight for optimum flower production.
If you live in a region where summers get especially hot, however, too much afternoon sun might cause flowers to wilt.In short, not enough sun will halt blooms from happening, and too much sun will shrink your blooms.
Inconsistent Weather
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“Unseasonably cool nights or hotter days can slow down flower production,” Daugherty says.
During a heat wave, moving geraniums in containers to a shadier spot will help prevent flowers from wilting. If your geraniums are planted in flower beds, be sure to water in the early morning and again at sunset to help them stay cool.
Overwatering
Speaking of watering, geraniums in containers should be watered once a week during dry periods, or as much as two to three times per week in stretches of heat, but one of the most common issues for geraniums failing to bloom their best is improper watering, especially overwatering.
Pereira says “well-draining soil is a must” for geraniums (more on that in a moment). Make sure the drainage holes of your containers are not blocked and water logging your plants.
Dense Soil
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“If you have heavier soil, your geraniums will be extra sensitive to overwatering, which can lead to more leaf growth rather than flowers,” Daugherty says.
This is especially true of clay soil.
While it’s easier to control soil content when growing geraniums in containers, you can also improve soil drainage in your flower bed with amendments—Daugherty suggests peat moss, decomposed leaves, or compost from your own bin or from a nursery—before planting.
Adding soil amendments at planting time improves overall soil texture and drainage.
Wrong Fertilizer
Pereira also recommends a weekly dose of bloom-boosting fertilizer if your geraniums are looking puny.
Although a basic 5-5-5 NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) fertilizer works fine for most annuals, geraniums have somewhat specific preferences for optimal flowering conditions; plenty of phosphorous is key.
When selecting fertilizer, look at the NPK blend ratio and choose a 15-30-15, or even 0-10-10, as lower nitrogen will not be an issue for geraniums. Always follow package directions, and use fertilizers carefully.
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