How to Grow Geraniums: The Complete Guide to Zonal and Trailing Geraniums for Non-Stop Summer Colour

A few plants work harder in a British garden than the humble Geranium. They are cheerful, colourful and tough whilst being wonderfully forgiving of the occasional gardening mishap. If you want a plant that delivers serious impact with minimal fuss, Geraniums are hard to beat.

In fact, if every plant behaved like a Geranium, gardening would be suspiciously easy and garden centres would probably have to start selling something else to keep us entertained.

pelargonium or gernaium - which is it?

The plants most gardeners call Geraniums are actually Pelargoniums, originally from southern Africa. Despite their exotic origins they have become a permanent feature of British gardens. From cottage gardens to stately homes, from window boxes in seaside towns to the slightly ambitious hanging baskets outside pubs, geraniums have been brightening the UK for centuries.

Two types dominate summer displays: Zonal Geraniums, which grow upright and bushy, and Trailing Geraniums, which cascade beautifully from baskets and containers. Both are easy to grow, flower continuously for months, and require far less attention than many other bedding plants.

But while Geraniums are famously easy, a little knowledge about how they grow will make the difference between a decent display and a spectacular one. In this blog I'll hopefully cover everything you need to know about growing Geraniums successfully including planting, feeding, watering, propagation and some unusual varieties that are worth adding to your garden.

By the end, you will understand why geraniums have been a favourite of British gardeners for over 300 years.

A Brief History Lesson

Geraniums may feel thoroughly British, but their journey to our gardens began thousands of miles away in South Africa. Many species evolved there in warm, sunny climates where rainfall can be unpredictable.

Because of this environment, they developed thick stems and fleshy leaves that store water. This adaptation allows them to survive dry spells - which explains why they cope remarkably well when gardeners forget to water them occasionally.

European explorers encountered these plants during botanical expeditions in the 16th and 17th centuries. Seeds were collected and transported back to Europe, where they were grown in botanical gardens, particularly in the Netherlands.

there's so many flower types

From there they quickly spread across Europe and eventually arrived in Britain in the early eighteenth century. Victorian gardeners became particularly enthusiastic about them, breeding hundreds of new varieties with larger flowers, brighter colours and decorative foliage. Today Geraniums remain among the most widely grown ornamental plants in the world. Their success is simple: they are beautiful, reliable and remarkably easy to grow.

Geranium or Pelargonium?

Before we get too far, there is a small botanical detail worth mentioning. Strictly speaking, the plants we commonly call Geraniums are actually Pelargoniums. True Geraniums, sometimes known as cranesbills, are hardy perennial plants often grown in borders.

Pelargoniums are closely related but originate from southern Africa and are usually grown as tender summer plants. However, gardeners have been calling them Geraniums for centuries, and the name is unlikely to change. Attempting to correct people about it rarely improves the conversation. So for simplicity, we will continue calling them Geraniums, just as gardeners have always done.

Zonal vs Trailing Geraniums

zonal because of its leave rings

The two main types grown in UK gardens are zonal Geraniums and trailing Geraniums. Each has slightly different growth habits and uses so before planting Geraniums, it helps to understand the two main types gardeners grow.

Zonal Geraniums - are the upright varieties most often seen in bedding displays and patio pots. They form compact bushy plants typically around 12-20" tall.

Their leaves are rounded and often marked with a darker circular band known as a “zone”, which gives them their name. The flowers appear in large rounded clusters above the foliage, creating bold splashes of colour. These plants are ideal for containers, borders and formal bedding schemes.

balcony series make excellent plants for baskets

Trailing Geraniums - They are often called ivy-leaved Geraniums, produce long flexible stems that
 cascade over the edges of pots and baskets. Their glossy leaves resemble ivy, and the flowers appear along the trailing stems.

They are perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes and tall containers where their stems can spill gracefully downwards. A well-grown trailing Geranium in a hanging basket can create a cascade of colour that lasts the entire summer and can produce stems over a metre long, creating a spectacular waterfall of flowers.

Being Successful With Your Geraniums

Geraniums have a reputation for being easy, but they still perform best when grown in the right conditions. Understanding a few key principles will help them thrive.

Sunlight: The Most Important Ingredient - Geraniums love sunshine. In fact, sunlight is probably the single most important factor in producing a spectacular display.

A position with at least six hours of direct sun each day is ideal. More sun usually means more flowers. In shady positions geraniums will survive but may produce fewer blooms and become slightly leggy. If your garden has limited sunlight, placing them in the brightest possible spot will make a noticeable difference.

In Britain, where sunny days are occasionally treated like national holidays, giving Geraniums the brightest location possible is always a good idea.

Soil and Compost - Geraniums are not particularly fussy about soil, but they do insist on excellent drainage.

In the garden they grow well in most soils as long as water does not sit around the roots. Heavy clay soils should be improved with compost, grit or well-rotted organic matter.

In containers they grow beautifully in good-quality multi-purpose compost. Adding a small amount of horticultural grit can improve drainage further, which geraniums appreciate.

Top tip: never allow geranium roots to sit in waterlogged soil.

do not plant out before may or atleast once frosts are over

Its Planting Time - Geraniums are tender plants and cannot tolerate frost. In most parts of the UK they should not be planted outdoors before May, but definately once the danger of frost has passed.

Garden centres often sell them earlier in spring, which means gardeners sometimes end up caring for them indoors until the weather improves. Sunny windowsills and greenhouses can quickly become temporary geranium hotels. Once planted outside in warm conditions, Geraniums establish quickly and begin producing flowers within a few weeks.

Planting Geraniums 

Geraniums truly excel in containers, which is why they dominate patio gardens and window boxes.

For pots, choose a container with good drainage holes and fill it with fresh compost. Zonal Geraniums can be planted about 8-10" apart, giving them room to develop bushy growth.

Trailing Geraniums are perfect for hanging baskets. Plant them around the edge of the basket so their stems can cascade over the sides. Water the plants well after planting and place containers in a sunny position.

A large pot of Geraniums placed by a front door or on a patio can produce a display that lasts from late spring until autumn. Although Geraniums are famous container plants, they also grow very well in garden beds. Plant them in well-drained soil in sunny borders, spacing them around 10" apart. They work particularly well as colourful edging plants or in bold blocks of colour.

In warm summers they can produce extremely impressive displays, filling beds with vibrant reds, pinks, oranges and whites.

Watering - Its an Art Form

One of the most common mistakes gardeners make with geraniums is overwatering them. Because
Geraniums store water in their stems and leaves, they are far more tolerant of dryness than many bedding plants. Constantly wet compost can actually cause root rot and weak growth.

The best approach is to allow the compost to dry slightly between waterings.

During hot weather plants in containers may need watering daily or every few days, but during cooler periods once a week is often enough. The finger test is the best way to ensure you do not over water, put your finger into the side of the pot as far as you can go, its its wet - leave it.

If a geranium looks slightly droopy, watering usually restores it quickly. However, a plant that has been kept permanently soggy may struggle to recover.

feed well for more flowers

Feeding  - What To Do And With What

Geraniums are enthusiastic flower producers and are heavy feeders - as long as its the right feed.... a high nitrogen feed will simply produce lots of leaves. A high potash and potassium feed will produce an abundance of flowers. For this I would suggest tomato food every 2 weeks or so from the end of June onwards. Regular feeding keeps plants healthy and ensures they continue producing flowers throughout summer. Without feeding they will still bloom, but the display may not be quite as impressive.

Deadheading - Is That A Thing...

Yes it is and its very important. Deadheading - removing faded blooms - also keeps plants looking tidy and promotes continuous flowering. Simply snap off the spent flower stems where they attach at the main stem, do not leave a length of flower stem behind as this can rot and cause disease. This prevents the plant from wasting energy producing seeds and encourages new buds to form.

A few seconds of deadheading every few days can keep geraniums flowering continuously for months.

To encourage bushy plants, pinch out the growing tips of young geraniums early in the season. This encourages side shoots and results in fuller plants with more flowers.

Overwintering Geraniums

'apple blossom'

Geraniums are technically tender perennials, meaning they can live for many years if protected from frost.

Before the first autumn frost, lift plants from the garden or bring containers indoors. Cut them back slightly and place them in a cool, frost-free location with good light.

During winter they need very little water - just enough to prevent the compost from completely drying out.

In spring the plants can be trimmed again and returned to outdoor containers once the weather warms up. But watch for fungal disease and rotting which can occur if they get to wet.

Geraniums growing on a nursery

Propagating Geraniums from Cuttings

Geranium cuttings are incredibly easy to root and are one of the simplest ways to produce new plants.

Take a healthy non-flowering shoot about 3- 4" long. Remove the lower leaves and insert the stem into moist compost.

Place the cutting in bright light and keep the compost slightly moist. Roots usually develop within a few weeks.

Before long you will have fresh plants ready for the following season - and quite possibly more Geraniums than you originally planned.

Common Pests and Problems

Geraniums are generally robust plants but may occasionally attract pests such as aphids or whitefly.

Good air circulation, healthy plants and regular inspection usually prevent serious problems. If pests appear, they can often be removed with a strong spray of water or treated with appropriate controls.

Fungal diseases can occur in damp conditions, particularly if plants are overcrowded or overwatered. Ensuring plenty of sunlight and good drainage helps prevent most issues.

Unusual Geranium Varieties Worth Growing

While classic red Geraniums remain popular, many unusual varieties are available.

‘Mrs Pollock’ is famous for its spectacular multicoloured foliage combining bronze, gold and crimson tones.

‘Appleblossom Rosebud’ produces beautiful double flowers resembling miniature rosebuds.

‘Vancouver Centennial’ has striking golden leaves with bronze markings and bright scarlet flowers.

‘Attar of Roses’ is a scented Pelargonium whose leaves release a strong rose fragrance when touched.

‘Lord Bute’ is a dramatic dark variety with deep purple petals and vivid crimson centres.

‘Cascade White’ is an elegant trailing variety producing masses of white flowers.

‘Balcon Red’ is one of the best trailing Geraniums for hanging baskets, known for its long flowering season and brilliant colour.

Exploring unusual varieties can make Geranium displays far more interesting than the standard garden-centre selections.

Why Geraniums Remain Garden Favourites

Gardening fashions and trends change constantly. Some plants become wildly popular for a few years before disappearing from fashion almost overnight.

Geraniums are different - they deliver results.

They have remained a favourite for centuries because they combine beauty with reliability. They flower continuously, tolerate heat and occasional drought, and thrive in containers, borders and baskets.

Perhaps most importantly, they make gardens look colourful and cheerful for months with very little effort.

In a British climate that occasionally struggles to decide whether it is summer or simply a slightly warmer version of autumn, Geraniums provide dependable colour and optimism.

And that is why gardeners keep planting them year after year and why sometimes the best plants are simply the ones that work. 🌺

Enjoy your Geraniums and if you have any questions please ask.

Geoff. 

Who am I? 

I'm a horticulturalist with over 40 years experience in the field. From running garden centres and nurseries growing plants for sale to now, well for the last 12 years, running my own gardening business I'm bringing my expertise to those who are interested. I receive no money or reward for my blogs so they're purely my own thoughts, ideas and experience - enjoy.

Blog 08/03/2026 Gardening By Geoff. - horshamgardener.blogspot.com

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