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Flower power from spring to autumn. Top expert tips for the best geranium care

Discover pro tips on how to look after geraniums, so these easy-care plants will keep on blooming for months.

Geraniums are classic bedding and balcony plants and real summer stars! They are dazzling with their bright colours, abundant flowers and outstanding hardiness. One of their main advantages is that you need to do very little to keep them blooming from spring to autumn. The experts at Pelargonium for Europe (PfE) show you how to give these easy-care summer plants the best possible care so they can show their full glory for many months.

1. The perfect start: how and when to plant

Geraniums love warmth, so wait until after the risk of frost is over and nighttime temperatures are consistently in double digits. Whether in pots, planters or tubs, geraniums will thrive in any container as long as excess water can drain away and they have enough space. The container should be at least 18cm high and the plants should be spaced about 20cm apart to allow them to develop freely.

Tip: Compost heats up less quickly in light-coloured pots. This means less water evaporates and the soil stays moist for longer.

2. Sun lovers: the ideal location

Geraniums love the sun! The more light they get, the more they flower. A spot in full sun on a balcony, patio or in the garden is perfect. But even if you can only offer partial shade, you don’t have to give up on geraniums.

These easy plants can cope with less light, they just won’t flower as well. Geraniums don’t like too much precipitation. If it rains constantly, they will appreciate a roof over their heads to prevent fungal diseases. This is especially true of upright and double flowered geraniums.

Pro tip: Geraniums don’t mind extreme heat. They just need more water. If you don’t want to water them so much, move them into the shade at midday or place a parasol over them.

3. Water regularly, but not too much!

Geraniums are economical with water. They store moisture in their fleshy leaves and stems and can survive short periods of drought. However, they do need regular watering to ensure prolific flowering, especially on hot days. Morning and evening watering is ideal, preferably with rainwater. Important: Make sure there is no standing water as wet roots are the enemy of any geranium.

SOS tip: If the compost is moist but the plant is wilting, it may be due to overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out well before watering.

4. Nutrients in abundance: how to fertilise correctly

Geraniums are hungry plants – they need a lot of nutrients to keep producing new flowers throughout the summer. It’s best to use pre-fertilised potting compost when planting, or work a slow-release fertiliser into the soil. From the summer onwards, geraniums need to be fed with additional nutrients as those in pre-fertilised compost are usually depleted. A commercial liquid fertiliser for flowering plants will ensure your geraniums continue to look their best.

Pro tip: PfE’s experts advise against using household preparations, such as coffee grounds, egg shells or milk. Their use can lead to a nutrient imbalance and problems with the soil, as well as encouraging pests and diseases.

5. Boost flower power: remove faded blooms regularly

To ensure your geraniums put their energy into new flowers, regularly remove wilted blooms and leaves. This ‘pruning’ stimulates flower formation and keeps the plants healthy. This is especially true of double varieties, while self-cleaning types will drop wilted flowers on their own. Dead leaves should always be removed by hand.

6. The indestructible summer hero: pests and diseases

Don’t worry, geraniums are among the toughest summer flowers and are surprisingly resistant to pests. Even slugs give them a wide berth! But if problems do arise, PfE’s experts have the best SOS tips at the ready:

  • Cork spots on the leaves: These are harmless scars from overwatering – just water less.
  • Yellow leaves: Protect the plants from cold and give them more light and nutrients if necessary.
  • Pelargonium rust: Remove affected leaves immediately and increase air circulation.
  • Fungus gnats: Fungus gnats are a sign of damp compost. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. The damage is caused by the larvae in the soil. Adult gnats lay their eggs in damp compost. Poor quality potting mix also often attracts fungus gnats.

7. Overwintering geraniums

Geraniums can be overwintered without any problems. Before the first frost, cut the plants back to about 15cm and put them in a bright, frost-free place such as a garage or conservatory. In winter geraniums need little water and no nutrients. In spring, cut back again, repot in fresh compost and slowly acclimatise to warmer temperatures. With this preparation, your geraniums will bloom abundantly again next season.

Conclusion: carefree throughout the summer

Geraniums offer fantastic blooms with minimal effort. Whether as an easy-care showpiece in a balcony box or as a bright feature in a tub or bed, with the right care they will dazzle from spring to autumn.