Easygoing Beauty: Why Geraniums Are the Perfect Low-Maintenance Bloom

If you’re looking for a plant that needs little care and blooms most of the year, look no further than the geranium. Just water these cheery plants and they thrive in our Mediterranean climate.

“Geraniums are definitely a plant that you can plop in the ground and ignore, and they will grow successfully,” says Gerald Stewart, who owns New Leaf Nurseries in Vista, a mail-order and retail company that specializes in geraniums of all types.

Another bonus: Geraniums attract hummingbirds.

Varieties and Blooming Habits

There are many types of geraniums in a wide array of flower colors, including:

  • Rose
  • Purple
  • Pink
  • Blue

Most varieties do well in containers.

For continuous flowering, choose:

  • Zonal (Common) Geraniums
  • Ivy-leaved Geraniums

Martha Washington (Regal) Geraniums: Known for their showy bloom, typically from spring through early summer.

Scented Geraniums: Grown mainly for their aromatic leaves rather than their small flowers. Popular fragrances include:

  • Nutmeg
  • Apple
  • Peppermint
  • Lemon
  • Rose
  • Lime

Common geraniums come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from 4 inches high to several feet. Some cascade, making them ideal for hanging baskets or even ground cover. Ivy-leaved geraniums can hang 2 to 3 feet or longer.

Growing and Caring for Geraniums

Lighting Needs

  • Most geraniums require at least 4 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  • Exceptions: Peppermint-scented geranium (P. Tomentosum) and golden-leaved zonal varieties tolerate less sun.

Soil and Drainage

  • Well-drained soil is essential to prevent rot.
  • If drainage is questionable, create a 2-inch-high mound when planting to keep the crown dry.
  • No need to amend the soil—geraniums thrive in native soil.

Container Planting

  • Use a mix of 2 parts high-quality potting soil and 1 part perlite.
  • Place small pots inside larger ones to prevent root burn. Plastic pots inside terra-cotta work well.

Watering Tips

  • Water when the soil surface feels dry.
  • If unsure, skip watering—geraniums prefer slight drought over overwatering.

Fertilizing

  • Feed 3 times a year with a balanced fertilizer like 15-15-15.
  • For container plants, use time-released fertilizers for consistent nutrition.

Pruning

  • Prune as needed to shape the plant and remove spent blooms.
  • This encourages continuous flowering year-round.

Propagation

Geraniums are easy to propagate:

  • Take a cutting just below a leaf node.
  • Insert the cutting into moist potting soil or directly into the ground.
  • Keep soil moist (not soggy) until roots form—usually in a month.

Nursery and Event Info

New Leaf Nurseries
2456 Foothill Drive, Vista, CA 92084
Phone: (760) 726-9269

Don’t miss the free scented-geranium lecture at the nursery on Aug. 15 at 9:30 a.m.