Care for Geranium Plants: Your Guide to Non-Stop Blooms All Season Long

Learning how to care for geranium plants is the secret to keeping your balcony or windowsill bursting with color from spring through fall. These cheerful flowers are a favorite for good reason—they’re bright, long-lasting, and surprisingly easy to grow, making them a staple in any vibrant flower garden. Whether you’re just starting out or have been gardening for years, a few simple tips will help your geraniums thrive.

Give Your Geranium Plants Plenty of Light (But Not Too Much!)

Geranium plants love the sun. They need at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to grow strong and bloom generously. A south- or west-facing spot is perfect.

During spring and fall, let them soak up full sun. This encourages tons of flowers. Summer sun can get intense. If temperatures regularly climb above 85°F, provide some afternoon shade. This protects the leaves from scorching. Shorter winter days mean less light. Move your geraniums to the brightest window you have. A grow light can give them a helpful boost.

Keep the Temperature Just Right

Geraniums enjoy comfortable, mild weather. They’re happiest when temperatures stay between 60°F and 75°F.

When summer heat spikes above 85°F, your plants might slow down. Move them to a cooler, breezy spot to help them through the hot spell. Cold is their other enemy. Once the mercury dips below 40°F, it’s time to bring potted geraniums indoors. Keep them in a sunny room where it stays above 50°F.

Getting the Watering Just Right

Proper watering is a cornerstone of learning how to care for geranium plants. Their roots hate sitting in soggy soil. When you care for geranium plants, think “dry rather than wet.”

Wait until the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Then water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage hole. Your approach changes with the seasons. Water regularly in spring and fall to keep the soil lightly moist. Ease up during hot summers. Let the soil dry out more between waterings. In winter, water very little. Just keep the soil from completely drying out. Lift the pot. If it feels light, it’s probably time for a drink.

Feed for Fantastic Flowers

All those bright blooms use up a lot of energy. Feeding your geraniums gives them the fuel they need. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer works great. Feed them every two weeks during their main growing and blooming seasons. To encourage even more flowers, switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus once you see buds forming. Stop feeding during extreme heat or in winter when growth naturally slows down. For a low-maintenance option, mix a slow-release fertilizer into the soil at the start of the season—one of the handy balcony garden essentials.

Start with Great Soil and Repot When Needed

Good soil makes everything easier. Proper geranium care starts with a well-draining mix. Use a potting soil blended with perlite or coarse sand. This prevents waterlogging. Repot your geranium every year or two in early spring. Move it to a pot just one size larger with fresh soil. This refreshes nutrients and gives roots room to grow. If you’re new to this, our guide on how to start gardening in a balcony covers repotting basics.

Trim and Shape for a Bushier Plant

A little trimming keeps your geraniums looking full and flowering freely. Pinch off the very tips of young stems. This encourages side shoots to grow, creating a lush, bushy shape. Always remove old, spent flower heads. This tells the plant to make more blooms instead of seeds. Don’t be afraid to cut back long or leggy stems. Your plant will grow back thicker. Save those healthy cuttings—you can root them in water or soil to make new plants.

Watch for Pests and Problems

Good geranium plant care is often about prevention. Overwatering is the most common issue. Letting soil dry helps prevent root rot. If leaves get spots, improve air flow and avoid wetting the foliage. Geraniums naturally repel many pests, which is a bonus for any urban gardener. But keep an eye out for aphids or spider mites, especially indoors. A strong spray of water or an insecticidal soap usually does the trick. If you also grow the best vegetables for a balcony garden, these natural methods help protect your whole green space.

Help Them Through Summer Heat and Winter Chill

Your routine to care for geranium plants shifts with extreme seasons. Summer’s goal is to reduce stress. Provide shade, increase air flow, and water less. In winter, bring pots inside to a bright spot. Cut back on water and skip the fertilizer until spring returns.

Picking Your First Plant

New to caring for geraniums? Start with a classic zonal or ivy geranium. They’re adaptable, tough, and very rewarding for beginners, giving you the confidence to expand your flower garden. And if curious neighborhood cats are a concern for your outdoor plants, check out tips on how to keep cats out of a flower garden.

There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of seeing those first bright buds open. Your perfect geranium display, achieved by mastering how to care for geranium plants, is just a few simple steps away.