Geraniums are popular plants that bring color and life to your garden or balcony. They’re fairly easy to care for, but keeping them blooming consistently can sometimes be a challenge.
You can enjoy nonstop blooms by following some simple care tips that help your geraniums stay healthy and vibrant all season long. With the right attention, your plants will reward you with a steady show of flowers.
Place geraniums in full sun for at least 6 hours daily
You want to give your geraniums plenty of sunlight. Aim for at least six hours of full sun each day to keep them blooming well.
Geraniums love the sun and will reward you with more flowers when they get enough light. If they don’t get enough, their growth and blooms might slow down. Try moving your pots or garden beds to a sunny spot where they can soak up the rays without too much shade.
Water when top inch of soil feels dry
You want to check the soil before watering your geraniums. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil.
If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Avoid watering if the soil is still moist to prevent root rot.
Use room temperature water to keep the roots happy and growing well. This simple check helps keep your geraniums blooming longer. For more details, see how to keep geraniums blooming all winter.
Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot
You want to choose soil that lets water pass through quickly. Geraniums don’t like sitting in soggy dirt because that can cause root rot.
Using well-draining soil helps keep your plant’s roots healthy and happy. If the soil holds too much moisture, the roots can start to rot and your blooms will suffer.
A good potting mix made for containers usually works best for your geraniums. For more details, check tips on using well-draining soil for geraniums.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to boost blooms
You’ll want to remove dead or faded flowers as soon as you see them. This simple step stops the plant from wasting energy on seed production.
By deadheading regularly, your geranium will focus on producing new buds. It’s an easy way to keep your blooms coming all season long. For tips on this, see how to deadhead geraniums.
Prune leggy growth mid-season to encourage bushiness
If your geraniums start looking leggy, it’s a good idea to prune them mid-season. Cut back long stems to just above a leaf node or bud.
This helps your plant focus energy on growing fuller instead of taller. You’ll get a bushier, healthier geranium that blooms better. Don’t forget to remove any dead or faded flowers while you’re pruning to keep them looking fresh.
Feed with balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks
You should feed your geraniums with a balanced fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. This helps provide the nutrients they need without overdoing it.
Use a water-soluble fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for best results. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas to prevent leggy growth. For more details, check this helpful guide on fertilizing geraniums.
Avoid overwatering to keep roots healthy
You want to water your geraniums only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Too much water can lead to root rot, which kills the plant.
Using room temperature water helps prevent shock to the roots. Letting the soil dry out between waterings keeps your geraniums happy and blooming longer.
Remove yellow or damaged leaves promptly
You want to check your geraniums regularly for yellow or damaged leaves. Removing these leaves helps keep your plant healthy and lets it focus energy on blooming.
Just clip off the affected leaves and toss them in the trash—don’t compost. This prevents spread of disease and pests to the rest of your plant.
Provide good air circulation to reduce mildew
You want to keep your geraniums spaced out so air can flow freely around them. Crowded plants trap moisture, which can lead to mildew. Avoid watering from above since wet leaves encourage mold growth. Instead, water at the base of your geraniums.
If mildew shows up, remove affected leaves quickly to stop it from spreading. Good airflow makes a big difference in keeping your plants healthy and blooming nonstop.
Pinch new growth tips to promote fuller plants
When you pinch the tips of your geranium’s new growth, you encourage the plant to branch out. This creates a bushier, fuller look instead of tall, spindly stems.
Use your fingers to pinch off the soft new tips just above a pair of leaves. Do this regularly to keep your geraniums dense and healthy. For more details, check how deadheading and pruning help.