Top 10 Tips to Keep Geraniums Blooming All the Time

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How to Keep Geraniums Blooming All Season Longer: Expert Tips and Tricks

Have you ever wondered how to keep geraniums blooming all season? I’m here to help you find 10 tips that have worked for me for over four decades!

Few flowers can match the geranium’s bright colors and versatility, making it a favorite in gardens and containers. But if you’ve ever wondered how to keep this beauty blooming from spring to fall, you’re not alone.

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With just a few simple tricks, you can enjoy a continuous display of beautiful geranium flowers all season long. Yes, that’s Spring to Fall!

This post is about Zonal Geraniums also known as Pelargoniums. If you want to read about Hardy Geraniums (true geraniums) you can go here.

Types of annual geraniums:

Note: pelargoniums are perennials in zones 9 and above

To keep your geraniums in full bloom, starting with a solid understanding of the plants themselves is essential.

Geraniums come in several varieties, each with its own unique characteristics, but all have basic requirements, which when met, result in a thriving display of flowers.

Zonal Geraniums:

Known for their upright growth and distinct bands on their leaves, these are the most common types found in gardens. They are prized for their large, showy flowers.

Ivy Geraniums:

These have a trailing habit, which makes them perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes. Its leaves resemble ivy, and it produces many, small flowers.

The beautiful window boxes you find in Europe are a special type of Ivy Geranium and I found the source here: Larsons Geraniums.

Fragrant Leaf Geraniums:

Although their flowers are often small and inconspicuous, these geraniums are highly prized for their fragrant leaves, which exude a variety of scents ranging from lemony to spicy.

Regal Geraniums:

Also known as Martha Washington geraniums, these boast large showy flowers and are often used as houseplants. I have some that I overwinter in my greenhouse, and they are a great addition to a shady spot in the garden.

10 Proven Tips to Keep Your Geraniums Blooming All Season

1. Investing for Success

The foundation for a full blooming season starts with how you plant your geraniums. Choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for vigorous growth.

Geraniums grow best in well-draining soil, so if your garden soil is heavy or clay-like, consider amending it with organic matter to improve drainage. When planting in containers, use a quality potting mix that provides both nutrients and drainage.

Proper classification is also important. Overcrowding of geranium can cause poor ventilation, making plants more susceptible to disease and reducing flowering. Leave about 8 to 12 inches between plants to ensure they have room to grow.

2. Water Wisely

Geraniums prefer balance when it comes to water—too much or too little can affect flowering. Water deeply, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Avoid wetting the leaves, as this can cause fungal diseases. In hot weather, you may need to water more often but always check the soil moisture first.

Mulching around your geranium can help retain soil moisture while keeping the roots cool. However, make sure you don’t pile the mulch on top of each other, as this can cause rot.

Geraniums are very popular in container gardens. If you are growing in containers make sure you have plenty of drainage holes. We don’t want to drown our flowering plants.

3. Feeding the Flowers

Fertilization plays an important role in promoting good continuous flowering. Use a quality liquid fertilizer and don’t worry about the types called Bloom Booster. They are a marketing gimmick and serve no better than general purpose.

You will no longer get geranium blooms using a special flowering fertilizer, I know, I have tested it myself. Feed your geranium every two weeks during the growing season. (this is more about containers than outside in my garden beds)

I choose this fertilizer because it not only feeds the plants but also the soil and is made from food waste!

My soil is very rich due to frequent amendments with compost, bark mulch and leaf litter. But many do not have such a large land. So I would recommend fertilizing with liquid feed every four weeks in flower beds.

4. Mastering Deadheading and Pruning

Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, is essential to keeping geraniums blooming. By cutting off the wilted flowers, you are signaling the plant to produce new blooms rather than seeds.

Regular pruning during the growing season will result in a stronger display. Pruning is equally important.

Related: They Walked With Their Heads! Easy Deadheading for Brilliant Flowers!

If your geraniums start to look stunted or full, don’t hesitate to cut them back. This encourages bushier growth and more flowering stems. Aim for pruning in late spring or early summer, cutting back one-third of the plant to rejuvenate it.

You can use what you remove to start more…

5. Pest and Disease Control

Healthy geraniums are less likely to fall victim to pests and diseases, but it’s still important to be vigilant. Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Check your plants regularly, especially under the leaves, for any signs of infection. If your flowers suddenly disappear or have holes in them, you may have worms.

Treat with BT spray or dust my plant with a little flour. Leave it overnight and wash off the next day. Caterpillars eat flour and cannot digest it.

Geraniums are also prone to diseases such as botrytis (gray mold) and rust. To prevent this, make sure your plants have good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and remove any affected leaves immediately. In extreme cases, you may need to use a mold.

6. Overwintering Next Season

If you live in a region with cold winters, you can overwinter your geraniums to enjoy them again next year. In late fall or before the first frost, bring your plants indoors. Geraniums can be kept as houseplants in a bright, sunny spot, or you can let them go dormant.

To achieve dormancy, cut off the leaves, place the plants in a cool, dark place like a basement, and water sparingly throughout the winter. In early spring, return them to the light, resume regular watering, and watch as they return to life.

For best results find out which method works for you. I like to bring them inside and let them winter in a sunny window.

7. Growing a Friend

Pairing geraniums with complementary plants can enhance their performance. Marigolds, lavender, and petunias are great companions that share the same growing conditions.

These plants not only complement geraniums visually but can also help repel insects and attract beneficial insects.

Avoid planting geraniums with aggressive ground cover or plants that are too competitive for resources, as this can reduce the available flowering potential.

8. Adapting to Seasonal Changes

As the growing season progresses, your geranium care should be consistent. In the spring, focus on establishing strong roots by watering regularly and using a slow-release fertilizer. (I use compost)

During the summer, watch the humidity levels, as hot weather can dry out the soil quickly.

In late summer and early fall, give them a good feed with the organic fertilizer I suggested above.

Then as the temperatures drop, you may have to reduce watering and start planning for winter.

9. Troubleshooting Geraniums Not Blooming

If your geraniums are not blooming as expected, there could be several reasons. Lack of sunlight, poor soil nutrition, or overwatering are common causes. Make sure your plants get enough light and consider adjusting your watering and feeding habits.

Another factor could be crowding—if your geraniums are competing with other plants, they may not have the resources they need to bloom. Pruning and thinning can help redirect energy to flowering.

Or make sure the flower buds are not eaten by the dreaded caterpillar.

10. Enjoying the Rewards

The good news is that by following these proven tips, you can enjoy a garden full of blooming geraniums, blooming from spring to fall. Regular maintenance and attention to detail will pay off with a colorful, flower-filled garden that enhances your outdoor space.

Containers overflowing with bright geraniums make great fillers in a garden bed that may be a bit droopy in the summer. Place the container on the bed and it will light up in no time!

To wrap this up, geraniums are a delightful addition to any garden, and with a little effort, you can keep them blooming beautifully all season long.

From proper planting and watering to overwintering and overwintering, these tips will help you get the most out of your geraniums. Grab your gardening gloves, and get ready to enjoy a season full of color!

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