Though some consider the annual geranium flower too old fashioned, we love these reliable sun-loving beauties for nonstop summer color.
How to Grow Annual Geranium Flowers
- Common name: Geranium
- Scientific name: Pelargonium
- Zones: Annual
- Light needs: Full sun
Annual geraniums (Pelargonium) are everywhere from your neighbor’s porch to the hanging baskets of Europe. These annual flowers have so many virtues, and they don’t always get enough credit. Sure, they’re somewhat old-fashioned, but they’re pretty, sun-loving, long-lasting, tough, and perfect in containers and window boxes. Geraniums come in every shade of the rainbow and then some.
As for care, geraniums are best left to their own devices. Water thoroughly, but only as needed, then sit back and enjoy the show. The more sun, the better your chance of blooms.
A well-cared-for heirloom geranium survives for years, and easy propagation from cuttings makes sharing with friends a snap. While they are annual plants, they are easy to grow as houseplants, and they’re a reliable and eager bloomer, even in winter. When overwintered inside, they prefer cooler temperatures, especially at night.
Editor’s note: Annual geraniums are not the same plants as hardy geraniums, known as cranesbill.
How to Take Cuttings of Geraniums
Make sure your tools, rooting mix and pots are sterilized; geraniums are very susceptible to disease. At the end of summer, make a cut about 4 inches down from one of the growing tips of the plant, remove flowers and buds, and place cuttings in a pot. They should root within 20 days. You can also try a rooting hormone for increased success.
Annual Geranium Flower Types
From trailing ivy types and variegated fancy-leafs to dreamy scented varieties, there’s a geranium for everyone.
If you want to add more than just color to your living space, explore the world of scented-leaf geraniums, which come in fragrances like pine, peppermint and nutmeg. Scented geraniums have been treasured houseplants since colonial days, when housewives shared cuttings to brighten neighbors’ homes.
Ivy-leaved geraniums spill over the sides of their containers, while seed and zonal geraniums are more upright.
Annual Geranium Cultivars to Grow
Mojo Cranberry Splash Geranium
Pelargonium interspecific, Annual
This pollinator-friendly annual will require deadheading, but it’s worth the effort! The large, bicolored red and pink mounded blooms stand out against the lush dark foliage. Mojo Cranberry Splash will thrive in 1- to 5-quart containers. The plant’s bountiful flower clusters are vibrant enough to be interesting in a pot on their own.
Brocade Fire Geranium
Pelargonium x hortorum, Annual
With its bicolored foliage and bright orange blooms, this geranium is like a little burst of flame for your garden bed or combination planter. The robust geranium will tolerate most lighting conditions. The fiery look of its red-orange blossoms will attract bees in summer, but this 2016 All-America Selections winner really steals the show in fall.
Pinto Premium White to Rose geranium
Pelargonium x hortorum, Annual
Good news! It’s not necessary to remove the spent blooms on this geranium. New blooms will quickly cover old ones, making this the perfect garden addition for any laidback gardener. Five-inch, long-lasting blooms. Need we say more? The petals start off white and deepen to pink as the flowers mature on this 2013 All-America Selections winner.
Can You Grow Geranium Flowers From Seeds?
“How do I use the seeds from a geranium plant to start new plants?” asks reader Elena Vahmenko of Russel, Iowa.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “Keep in mind that the geraniums you buy at the garden center are hybrids, and they’re unlikely to come true from seed. That means the seedlings may be a different size or produce different-colored flowers than the original plant. Remove seeds from the pods and store in a cool, dark place. Start them indoors in late winter and be patient. It takes at least three weeks for the seeds to sprout.”
Do Geranium Flowers Attract Hummingbirds?
Melinda says, “A longtime favorite, geranium will help attract hummingbirds. Look for heat-tolerant varieties like Maverick and Orbit. Or grow Blizzard or Cascade ivy geraniums that can take the heat.”
About the Expert
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
