How to Grow Geraniums – Classic Color That Never Disappoints
My grandmother grew geraniums on her front porch every summer. Bright red ones in clay pots that she’d bring inside before the first frost and somehow keep alive until spring. I thought she had some kind of magic touch. Turns out, geraniums are just that easy. A customer from Arlington Heights told me almost the same story last May – her mom grew geraniums, her grandmother grew geraniums, and now she wanted to carry on the tradition with her own kids.
That’s the beauty of geraniums. They’re reliable, forgiving, and absolutely gorgeous without demanding much in return. At Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center in Barrington, we help folks from Schaumburg, South Barrington, Hoffman Estates, and all around the Northwest suburbs grow geraniums successfully every year.
Why Grow Geraniums? Because They Just Work
Here’s what makes geraniums special – they are resilient! These plants have been porch and garden favorites for generations because they perform even when life gets busy.
Geraniums bloom from late spring through fall frost, giving you months of color from a single planting. The flower clusters (called umbels) come in reds, pinks, salmons, whites, purples, and bi-colors. Those big round flower heads make a statement whether you’ve got one pot by the front door or a whole border full of them. Plant red geraniums along your front walkway, neighbors will literally stop to take photos.
Geranium Growing & Care Guide PDF
Understanding Geranium Types
When you come to Goebbert’s looking to grow geraniums, you’ll notice we carry a few different types. Each has its own personality and best use.
Zonal Geraniums (The Classic)
These are what most people picture when they think of geraniums. Big round flower clusters, thick stems, and leaves with darker “zones” or bands. They’re the workhorses – great for containers, window boxes, and beds. If your grandmother grew geraniums, she probably grew zonals.
Ivy Geraniums (The Trailers)
Ivy geraniums have a cascading habit that makes them perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes where you want plants to spill over the edges. The leaves look like ivy, and they’re slightly more heat-sensitive than zonals. We recommend these for spots with some afternoon shade.
Scented Geraniums
These are grown more for their fragrant foliage than their flowers. Brush against the leaves and you’ll smell rose, lemon, mint, or even chocolate depending on the variety. They’re fun conversation starters and work great near patios where people can touch them.
When to Plant Geraniums in Illinois
Timing matters when you grow geraniums outside. They’re not frost-hardy, so wait until after your last frost date – typically mid-May around the northwest suburbs. You can plant them a bit earlier than petunias or zinnias since geraniums handle cool nights better, but a hard freeze will still kill them.
We start stocking geraniums at Goebbert’s in late April. Many customers buy them early and keep them on a covered porch or bring them in on cold nights. By Mother’s Day weekend, you’re usually safe to plant them in their permanent spots.
Light Requirements
Geraniums want full sun to part sun – at least 4-6 hours of direct light daily. They’ll tolerate more shade than petunias, but flowering slows down in too much shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade works well, especially for ivy types during our August heat waves.
Watering the Right Way
This is where most people mess up. Geraniums hate “wet feet.”
They’d rather be too dry than too wet. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, then let it dry out again before the next watering. In containers, make sure there’s drainage holes.
Planting Geraniums Step by Step
Here’s our simple method for getting geraniums established:
- Choose a container with drainage holes or a garden spot with decent drainage
- Fill with quality potting mix (containers) or amend soil with compost (beds)
- Dig a hole the same depth as the nursery pot
- Remove plant gently and set at the same level it was growing – don’t bury the stem
- Fill around with soil and firm gently
- Water well to settle the soil, then let dry before watering again
Space zonal geraniums about 12 inches apart in beds. Ivy geraniums in hanging baskets can be planted closer since they’ll cascade outward.
Deadheading – The Key to Nonstop Blooms
Want to grow geraniums that flower all season? Deadhead regularly. When a flower cluster fades, snap or cut the entire stem off at the base where it meets the main stem. This prevents seed formation and tells the plant to make more flowers.
Benefits of Regular Deadheading
- More flowers throughout the season
- Tidier, more attractive plants
- Reduced risk of fungal disease from decaying petals
- Better air circulation through the plant
Some newer geranium varieties are “self-cleaning” and drop their spent blooms on their own. But even these benefit from occasional tidying up.
Common Geranium Problems and Fixes
Even easy plants sometimes have issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common geranium problems we hear about at the garden center.
Yellowing Leaves
Usually overwatering. Let the soil dry out more between waterings. Could also be nutrient deficiency if watering is correct – try feeding with a balanced fertilizer.
Leggy, Stretched Growth
Not enough light. Move to a sunnier location. You can also pinch back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.
Brown or Black Stems
This is stem rot from overwatering or poor drainage. Unfortunately, affected stems usually can’t be saved. Cut them off and improve drainage for the rest of the plant.
Geranium Budworm
These caterpillars eat holes in flower buds and blooms. Hand-pick the caterpillars or use Bt spray, which targets caterpillars without harming beneficial insects.
Can You Overwinter Geraniums?
Yes! This is how my grandmother kept her geraniums going year after year. Before frost, you can bring potted geraniums inside to a sunny window. They won’t bloom much over winter, but they’ll survive. Cut them back by about half, water sparingly, and they’ll regrow in spring.
Another method is bare-root storage. Dig up plants, shake off soil, and hang them upside down in a cool (45-50°F), dark place like a basement. They look dead by spring, but soak the roots and pot them up – many will come back to life. It’s not foolproof, but it’s satisfying when it works.
Classic Container Displays
Geraniums shine in containers. Classic clay pots on a front porch never go out of style. Window boxes filled with red geraniums and trailing ivy are timeless. Mix geraniums with petunias, sweet potato vine, or dusty miller for combo planters that look professionally designed.
Garden Bed Ideas
In garden beds, geraniums make excellent edging plants or mid-border color. They pair well with sedum, ornamental grasses, and other sun-lovers. A landscape designer from South Barrington told us she uses white geraniums in almost every design because they brighten shady corners and tie together other colors.
Shop Geraniums at Goebbert’s This Spring
We carry a beautiful selection of geraniums every spring at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center in Barrington. Our inventory is strongest from late April through June – that’s when you’ll find the best variety of colors and sizes. We stock classic zonals, trailing ivy types, and even some scented varieties that you won’t find at chain stores.
Our staff knows how to grow geraniums in Illinois conditions. We deal with the same clay soil, the same summer humidity, and the same unpredictable spring weather you do. Bring your questions – we’re happy to help you pick the right geraniums whether you’re in Barrington, South Barrington, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, or Algonquin.
Stop by this spring and start your own geranium tradition. Maybe someday your grandkids will be telling stories about your porch full of bright red blooms.