Complete Guide to Geraniums: Choose the Perfect Geranium

Want to brighten up your space? Geraniums are the perfect answer. These flowers work great when you want to add color to your home or garden.

Here’s the thing: Geraniums offer much more than just pretty blooms. But picking the right type can feel tough with so many options available.

This guide covers everything about geraniums. You’ll learn about different types, care tips, and how to choose the best one for your needs.

Let’s get started and explore what makes these flowers so special.

What Are Geraniums?

Geraniums are popular flowering plants found in homes and gardens worldwide. They belong to the Geraniaceae family and are divided into two main groups, which can often be confusing.

True geraniums, also called cranesbills, are hardy perennials that can survive cold winters. What most people call “geraniums” are actually pelargoniums, which need warmer conditions to live.

These plants have round to palm-shaped leaves and produce clusters of five-petaled flowers in colors ranging from white and pink to red and purple. The blooms sit on stems that grow above the foliage.

Geraniums have a long history in gardens, dating back hundreds of years. They first came to Europe from South Africa in the 17th century and quickly became favorites for their bright colors and easy care.

Attribute	Details
Botanical Name	Pelargonium
Common Name	Geranium
Plant Type	Perennial, Conservatory
Flower Colours	Pink, Red, Purple, Bronze, White
Plant In	April – May
Flowers In	May – October
Prune In	October
Sun Exposure	Full Sun
Hardiness	Half Hardy / Tender
Soil Type	Acidic, Chalky, Alkaline, Well-drained, Light, Sandy
Toxicity	Can be toxic to cats and dogs

Common Types of Geraniums

Below are a few common geraniums to brighten up your space, tailored to your environment:

1. Zonal Geraniums

Zonal Geraniums are one of the most common and widely grown types. They are known for the distinct, circular bands of color on the leaves that give them their names.

These geraniums come in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, white, and purple. They have bushy and upright growing habits and are usually found in gardens and container plants. Most zonal varieties grow between 1 and 3 feet tall and spread about 1 to 2 feet wide.

The flowers form in clusters called umbels, sitting atop sturdy stems. With proper care, they can bloom from spring through fall in mild climates. In cooler areas, they’re often grown as annuals or brought indoors during winter.

Benefits:

Easy to care
Drought tolerant
Attractivce Foilage
Seasonal Bloom

2. Ivy Geraniums

Ivy Geraniums are known for their trailing and spreading growth habits, making them ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, and container gardens.

Their leaves are typically small and glossy, with a softer, ivy-like appearance. Ivy geraniums often have vibrant-colored flowers, such as red, white, pink, and yellow. The cascading stems can grow 1-2 feet long, creating a waterfall effect of blooms.

Unlike zonal types, ivy geraniums prefer cooler temperatures and can handle partial shade. They’re less drought-tolerant but excel in areas with moderate humidity.

Benefits:

Trailing growth
Long blooming period
Attractive to pollinators
Compact size

3. Scented Geraniums

Scented Geraniums are distinct from other types due to their aromatic fragrance. The leaves give off a pleasant smell when touched.

These smells come in various varieties, such as rose, lemon, mint, apple, and even chocolate. The flowers tend to be smaller and less showy than other varieties, but they are still attractive. Most scented types grow 1-3 feet tall with a similar spread.

The texture and shape of leaves vary widely among scented varieties. Some have fuzzy, soft leaves, while others have more crisp, defined edges. Many gardeners use them in sensory gardens or to make potpourri.

Benefits:

Good fragrance that works as a natural air freshener
Repellent properties against many insects
Creates an aromatic garden experience
Medicinal uses in teas and aromatherapy

4. Regal Geraniums

This is also known as “Martha Washington.” Its large, showy flowers, with unique patterns and vibrant colors, distinguish it.

They often feature bicolored blooms with a velvet-like texture and are more delicate than others. These Geraniums are typically grown as houseplants.

Regal geraniums prefer cooler temperatures between 50-65°F at night, making them ideal for spring and fall displays. They’re less heat-tolerant than zonal types but offer some of the most striking blooms.

Benefits:

Striking Flowers
Beautiful color appearance
Long Lasting Blooms
Handy for Homeowners

Choosing the Right Geraniums for You

With so many types of Geraniums available, choosing the right one is very important and difficult. Let’s see which one is the best:

Type	Best Use	Ideal Conditions	Key Features
Zonal Geraniums	Sunny garden beds, containers	Full sun, warm temperatures	Easy to grow, low-maintenance, vibrant, and long-lasting blooms
Ivy Geraniums	Hanging baskets, window boxes	Cooler temps, partial to full sun	Trailing habit, elegant in vertical spaces, blooms in cool air
Scented Geraniums	Herb gardens, aromatherapy, and pest control	Sunny spots, well-drained soil	Aromatic foliage (rose, lemon, mint), adds texture and scent
Regal Geraniums	Shaded patios, indoor pots	Cool temperatures, indirect sunlight	Large, bold flowers prefer cooler, protected environments
Martha Washington	Containers, indoor décor	Cool conditions, bright indirect light	Dramatic, velvet-like blooms, an ornamental type of regal geranium

Caring Tips for Geraniums

Geraniums are beautiful and easy to take care of. If you take care of them, they will reward you with vibrant and blooming flowers. Here are six simple tips to take care of your Geraniums:

1. Watering: These plants don’t like too much water. Let the soil dry out before watering again. If the soil feels dry when you touch the top, then only water.

2. Sunlight: Geraniums love sunlight! Try to give them 6 to 8 hours of sun each day. Some types are okay with a bit of shade, too.

3. Pruning: Cutting off old flowers and leaves helps the plant grow better. This is called pruning or deadheading.

4. Fertilizing: Feeding your geraniums with plant food helps them grow more flowers. You don’t need to do it too often. Don’t use too much, it can hurt the plant.

5. Watch out for Pests: Small bugs like aphids or spider mites can sometimes bother your geraniums. Check your plant often, and keep leaves dry to avoid mold and mildew.

6. Trim and Clean Up: Cut off dead flowers and leaves to help the plant grow better. You can also trim long stems to keep the plant neat and bushy.

Conclusion

To wrap up, there are many different types of Geraniums, and each has something to offer. Whether you like bright flowers, trailing vines, or sweet-smelling leaves, there are Geraniums out there for you.

Some are great for garden beds, while others look beautiful in pots or hanging baskets. You can tell the differences by their characteristics, such as which are tough in the cold or which bloom the most.

You can pick the perfect Geranium for your home or Garden. They are colorful, easy to grow, and a great way to add a cheerful touch to any space!

Choose your Geranium plant today and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Longest-Flowering Hardy Geranium?

Geranium ‘Rozanne’ blooms from late spring until frost, often for 4-5 months. Its violet-blue flowers are attractive and work well in borders.

How Do I Identify Which Geranium I Have?

Look at leaf shape, flower color, growth habit, and stem type. True geraniums have palm-shaped leaves while pelargoniums often have round, sometimes zoned leaves.