🌸 Geranium: Growing Guide
Geranium (Pelargonium) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 5–35 °C (41–95 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart. Expect 90+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Pelargonium |
|---|---|
| Category | Flowers |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 30 cm (12 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 5–35 °C (41–95 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 90+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
| Height | 20–50 cm (7.9–20 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||
| Continental | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out |
| Tropical | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Sep.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb · Harvest: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Harvest: Feb–Jan.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb–Mar, Aug · Harvest: Apr–May, Sep–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Let the soil dry out a little.
Growing tips
Easy in pots. Vivid colors. Scented types are said to deter mosquitoes. Martha Washington.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Geranium: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Sep. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Aug.
Geranium: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Let the soil dry out a little.
Geranium: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 30 cm (12 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in).
Geranium: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 90+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Geranium: which plants grow well with it?
Rose, Velvet.
Plan your garden
Add Geranium to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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