Geraniums - or as they are properly called, pelargoniums - are among the typical balcony flowers. In summer, a veritable cascade of red, pink or white flowers seems to pour from many a balcony. Geraniums bloom so luxuriantly when they are properly planted and cared for.

Geraniums can be planted in a pot or outdoors

Which location do geraniums prefer?

First of all: geraniums need sun, sun and more sun! The more, the more beautiful and richer the flower turns out.

What substrate do geraniums need?

Geraniums are heavy feeders and therefore need a loose, permeable and nutrient-rich substrate. Special geranium soil is commercially available, but you can also mix it yourself from commercially available, pre-fertilized potting soil, compost and perlite (€37.51) or sand. But also make sure that the pot drainage is good, because geraniums do not tolerate waterlogging.

Can you only keep geraniums in pots or can you also plant them outdoors?

In principle, you can also place geraniums in perennial beds, but the plants are not hardy and must therefore be dug up again in autumn and overwintered frost-free. If you want to put geraniums in the garden, we recommend this procedure:

  • Plant the geraniums in a large, untreated clay pot.
  • This should have a drainage hole at the bottom.
  • Sink this into the ground so that only the upper edge of the pot is visible.
  • In autumn you can dig up the plant and pot again.

The advantage of this method is that you can cultivate non-hardy plants in the perennial bed and finally dig them up again without damaging the roots.

When is the best time to plant geraniums?

Geraniums should only be planted out after the ice saints - so no earlier than mid-May. The plants are very sensitive to frost and should therefore be protected from late frosts if necessary.

What is the ideal planting distance for geraniums?

As young plants, geraniums are still quite small, but under the right conditions they spread very quickly in all directions. Therefore, do not place more than a maximum of four young plants in an average balcony box of one meter in length.

When do geraniums bloom?

Geraniums are tireless summer bloomers and show their blooms in the months between May and October. However, you should regularly remove faded flowers to encourage the plants to flower for a long time.

How to propagate geraniums

Geraniums can be propagated very well from half-ripe cuttings that are cut in late summer. You can recognize them by the fact that the stems are already brown, ergo lignified. Cuttings that are too soft, on the other hand, quickly become moldy. Cultivation from seeds you have bought or collected yourself is also possible, but not with all varieties. Hybrids can generally only be propagated vegetatively.

Can geraniums also be preferred?

You can start growing your own geraniums from seed from January/February. Plant the seeds in potting soil in a warm and bright place, preferably in a greenhouse. As soon as the seedlings have four leaves, they can be pricked out and planted in good potting soil. Fertilize from about six to eight weeks after germination.

tips

Geraniums can be planted very well together with verbena, elfenspiegel, spider flowers, jester flowers, gypsophila, lobelia or petunias. Fuchsias, on the other hand, are less suitable because they prefer a more shady location.

Category:

Indoor plants