How to Grow Geraniums
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How to grow geraniums starts with a plain fact: most plants sold under that name are not true geraniums. The University of Minnesota Extension page explains that they belong to the genus Pelargonium, while true geraniums are a separate group. This guide follows three extension pages from Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Carolina, and it notes where they differ.
The core plan is a sunny spot, well-drained soil, water when the top inch or two is dry, and light feeding. Before winter, the plants can come indoors, be cut back, or be kept alive as cuttings.
Quick answer
- Give geraniums full sun, with a minimum of 8 hours of sun daily, in well-drained soil, as Minnesota advises.
- Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry, and make sure containers have drain holes.
- Feed lightly, because geraniums do not bloom well when they are over fertilized.
- Before frost, bring plants indoors, cut them back, or take cuttings, depending on your space and light.
Know what you are growing
Most plants sold as geraniums belong to the genus Pelargonium. NC State describes the genus as annuals, tender perennials, shrubs and tuberous geophytes from Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula and Australia, with most species native to South Africa. Minnesota says there are more than 200 Pelargonium species and many well-known hybrids.
The common groups are the zonal, ivy-leaved and scented types. NC State says the zonal pelargoniums (Pelargonium x hybridum) are grown as bedding annuals, and that pelargoniums in general make excellent potted plants. Minnesota adds the scented types, whose leaves carry aromas such as lemon, orange, lime and peppermint.
Regal types need a different climate. Minnesota says Martha or Lady Washington geraniums (Pelargonium x domesticum) require cool night temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit to blossom, so they bloom in early summer and autumn in that state.
Pick a sunny, well-drained spot
Sun is the first requirement. NC State says, “Pelargoniums require full sun and soils that are well-drained.” Minnesota gives a minimum of 8 hours of sun daily and adds that less sun means fewer flowers.
Soil needs drainage more than richness. Minnesota says that if your garden soil is clay or sandy, you should work several inches of peat or compost into it before planting. The same page says the material improves drainage in clay and moisture in sand.
Timing follows the weather. Minnesota says to plant geraniums outdoors “after any chance of frost in your area has passed and when the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Water when the top inch or two is dry
Minnesota gives a simple watering rule. Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry. Its page warns that geraniums wilt, drop leaves and do not grow well when they are too dry, and it notes that they tolerate dry soil better than overly wet soil.
NC State says that once established, the plants are drought tolerant, but they grow and flower more luxuriantly with moderate moisture. Plants in containers may be allowed to dry out between waterings, which fits the same pattern of checking the soil before you water.
Hanging baskets need the most attention. Minnesota says they require more frequent watering because they dry out quickly, and that windy locations dry them even faster. Containers in general must have drain holes so that excess water can leave the pot.
Choose containers and planters
NC State says geraniums make excellent potted plants in window boxes and patio or deck planters. Minnesota says they grow well in garden beds and in many kinds of containers, which can be made of terracotta, plastic, ceramic, resin, metal or wood. For hanging containers, see best hanging planters for outdoors.
Container plants need more feeding than plants in the ground. Minnesota says soil in containers is depleted of nutrients more quickly, so fertilizer matters more for pots than for beds. The feeding rules in the next section apply to them.
Feed lightly
Geraniums need little fertilizer. Minnesota says they “do not require much fertilizer” and that they will not bloom well if over fertilized. Its advice for garden beds is to conduct a soil test to find out whether the soil needs additional nutrients before you add anything.
If the soil does lack nutrients, Minnesota describes two options. You can mix a granular or slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time and then water, so the water breaks the fertilizer down. Or you can add a water-soluble fertilizer at half strength whenever you water. The page says to mix only as much as you will need each time.
For geraniums and other annual flowers, Minnesota names a balanced fertilizer, one with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as a good option. The three numbers on a fertilizer label give the percentages of those nutrients in the product.
Deadhead and pinch for bushier plants
Removing faded flowers keeps plants blooming. Minnesota recommends deadheading faded flowers and dead leaves to encourage repeat blooming.
Plants grown indoors can stretch. Minnesota says reduced light causes “leggy” growth, with long spaces between leaf nodes. Pruning or pinching the stems just above a leaf node encourages new growth and a stocky, well-branched plant. Wisconsin gives the same advice for leggy indoor plants.
Bring plants indoors before frost
Minnesota and Wisconsin both describe bringing potted geraniums inside for the winter. Minnesota says to dig up the plant from the bed or outdoor container, re-pot it in a clean pot at least six inches wide, and use new, sterile potting soil. The page adds that digging carefully protects the roots.
Expect leaf drop. Minnesota says plants usually drop many of their leaves after the move, but they leaf out again. It advises pruning the plant to about two-thirds of its size after it moves indoors, to encourage new growth. Wisconsin says to trim the plants back by one-third to one-half, water them thoroughly and set them in a sunny spot. The two ranges overlap at one-third, so a cut of about one-third fits both pages.
Light and temperature indoors
Geraniums need bright light to bloom indoors. Minnesota says a southern exposure is usually the best source of light, and it recommends a sunny window with supplemental light if needed. For a plant stand with built-in lighting, see best plant stand with grow lights for indoors.
If the window is not sunny enough, Minnesota describes two kinds of supplemental light. A regular fluorescent tube, sometimes called a shop light, hung about 10 to 12 inches above the plants will work. An LED grow light with red bulbs for flower buds and blue bulbs for foliage is the other option. The page suggests using a timer to give supplemental light from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., or longer in a location with less natural light.
Keep the room cool. Minnesota says geraniums grow well at 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and advises avoiding cold, drafty areas as well as hot, dry ones. Wisconsin says to keep them away from heat vents or the fireplace, because the plants “fare much better in cooler temperatures (60 to 65 degrees F).”
Water and feed indoors
Indoor plants dry out fast in heated homes. Minnesota says to feel the soil before you water. If it feels moist and cool, wait a few days and check again. If it is dry to the touch, it is time to water. The page also says to set the pot in a sink when you water, so the excess drains without making a mess.
Fertilize only when you see active growth, such as new leaves, buds or stems. Minnesota suggests a water-soluble, all-purpose fertilizer at half strength about every three weeks during active growth. Never fertilize a dry, wilted plant. Water it first with plain water to moisten the roots, and then apply the feed.
Overwinter with cuttings or storage
Wisconsin describes three basic ways to keep geraniums through winter: bring them indoors as houseplants, take cuttings, or dig up the plants and store them dormant. Minnesota describes the same choices and notes that a home without space or light for large plants can rely on cuttings instead.
For cuttings, Wisconsin says to use a sharp knife to cut a 3 to 4 inch section of the stem tip, pinch off the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone and place it in a medium such as peat moss, sand or perlite. Minnesota says to check for roots about three weeks in and to keep the medium moist so the cuttings do not dry out. Wisconsin says cuttings should be well-rooted after about 6 weeks, and each one can then go into its own container of potting soil.
The third method is storage. Wisconsin says to dig the plants before a hard freeze, shake the soil from the roots, and store them hung upside down in a cool, dry location. Minnesota gives a storage temperature of about 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in a cool basement or heated garage. Minnesota calls overwintering bare-root geraniums challenging and suggests taking cuttings as a backup.
Wisconsin says bare-root plants should be cut back in March. Prune them to about one-third of their original height or to firm, green, live tissue, remove any dead or withered material, then pot them up and water thoroughly.
Spring restart
In early spring, Minnesota says to place potted plants in a sunny window, remove plant debris from the soil, and prune off dead stems and leaves. Start watering regularly, and wait to fertilize until you see new growth. Wisconsin says to keep potted geraniums indoors until the threat of frost has passed, and then plant them outdoors or show them in a sunlit container garden.
Common problems
Dry soil shows up first as wilting, leaf drop and poor growth, according to Minnesota. The same page warns against feeding a plant that is dry and wilted. Water it first, then add fertilizer once the roots are moist.
Long, stretched stems indoors usually point to low light rather than too much feed. Minnesota ties leggy growth to reduced light. Wisconsin says leggy plants respond to pinching back just above a leaf node, and Minnesota says the same.
Safety and pets
NC State rates Pelargonium as having low severity poison characteristics and tags the plant as a problem for dogs, horses and cats. The page does not give first-aid steps, and this guide does not add any. If a pet has eaten the plant, ask a veterinarian.
How we chose
We chose three extension pages. Each one opened with HTTP 200 on 2026-10-23 and was read in full. They come from the University of Minnesota Extension, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension and NC State Extension. Together they cover the plant’s naming, sun and soil needs, watering, feeding, indoor care, cuttings and storage, which is why they form the core of this guide.
We left out pages that returned HTTP 403 or 404. Two pages from Clemson and UC Marin returned 403, and a University of Florida page returned 404, so none of them is counted. We did not use commercial blogs for the plan.
What we could not verify
Minnesota and Wisconsin describe conditions in the upper Midwest, while NC State covers a different region. Frost dates and planting windows will differ for your area, and the pages do not give a planting calendar for your zone.
What the sources do not say
The Wisconsin overwintering page says it was last validated in 2024, so some details may be out of date. The sources give different trimming figures for plants moved indoors, as covered above. The pages do not say how long a stored plant can wait before it needs water, beyond the storage temperature. None of the three pages describes treatment for disease or pests, so this guide offers no treatment advice. The sources also give no first-aid steps for pets.
Frequently asked questions
Are geraniums true geraniums?
Not according to Minnesota. Its page says the plants sold as geraniums belong to the genus Pelargonium, and that true geraniums belong to the genus Geranium and are grown as perennials in Minnesota.
How much sun do geraniums need?
Minnesota gives a minimum of 8 hours of sun daily for good flowering, and it says less sun means fewer flowers. NC State says the plants require full sun as well.
How often should geraniums be watered?
Minnesota’s rule is to water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry, rather than on a fixed schedule. Hanging baskets dry out faster and need more frequent watering.
Should geraniums be brought indoors for winter?
Minnesota says a home without space or light for large plants can take cuttings instead of moving the whole plant indoors. Wisconsin lists bringing them indoors as one of three methods, alongside cuttings and dormant storage, so the choice depends on your space and light.
Can geraniums be harmful to pets?
NC State rates Pelargonium as having low severity poison characteristics and tags it as a problem for dogs, horses and cats. The page does not give first-aid steps, so this guide does not either.
Sources
- University of Minnesota Extension, “Growing geraniums as annual flowers in Minnesota”: https://extension.umn.edu/flowers/growing-geraniums-minnesota (opened 2026-10-23)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, “Overwintering Tender Geraniums”: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/2024/09/26/overwintering-tender-geraniums/ (opened 2026-10-23)
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, “Pelargonium”: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pelargonium/ (opened 2026-10-23)
