Here you can find out everything about planting upright and hanging geraniums, the best location and the right companion plants.
Geraniums or Pelargonium, as the plant is called by its botanical name, with their sea of flowers are a real feast for the eyes for the balcony at home. This genus includes about 250 different wild species. Most species originally come from sunny South Africa. The non-hardy perennials grow as subshrubs or shrubs at different heights. Intensive breeding has resulted in a large number of cultivars that not only impress with flowers in a wide variety of colors, but also differ in their growth forms. The most important of these pelargonium species today are P. zonal hybrids and P. peltatum Hybrids.
Geranium growth forms: standing and hanging geraniums
The growth form of geraniums influences the choice of the right location and planter. With the right choice, you support the well-being of plants and put your geraniums in the right light. In general, a distinction is made between hanging geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum hybrids) and upright geraniums (Pelargonium zonale hybrids).
Upright Geraniums
Upright geraniums are evergreen shrubs and grow to a height of 25 to 40 centimetres. They are unbeaten among geraniums in their diversity of varieties. This group is best suited for window boxes and tubs as well as planted out in beds. The noble geraniums (Pelargonium grandiflorum), also known as English geraniums, form a special group. They have numerous, impressive flowers, but they must be sheltered from rain.
Hanging Geraniums
Geraniums with a hanging habit usually grow up to 30 centimeters high and can form overhanging shoots that are more than 150 cm long. These shoots make hanging geraniums a perennial favorite in balcony boxes, in hanging baskets or in vertical gardens on the balcony. Robust, single-flowering varieties such as the‘Cascade’ series or the well-known pink ‘Ville de Paris’.
Scented Geraniums - Applications for Geraniol
The scented geraniums form a special group of geraniums. With scented geraniums, it is not the eye that chooses, but the nose. Countless variants surprise with special flavors, such as 'Chocolate Peppermint' (chocolate) or 'Purple Unique' (wine gum). The decorative value is less important here than the possible uses of your leaf extract.
Geranium oil (geraniol) of certain varieties is used in perfumes, cosmetics, aromatherapy and has a relaxing effect on the muscles. Some scented geraniums are said to even repel mosquitoes with the help of their spicy aroma. The plants are therefore not only beautiful to look at, but can even score with practical added value.
Geraniums: The best location
As their African roots suggest, pelargoniums are heat resistant plants and true friends of the sun. They prefer a warm and full sun to partially shaded location. With noble geraniums, however, the following applies: if possible without full sun. A light breeze does not harm the plants, but strong winds can easily break the shoots. With hanging geraniums, there is a risk that the flowers will stick together if it rains continuously, so you should choose a covered location. In order for geraniums to bloom continuously until frost, they need cooler nights. So that the number of flowers is correct, the following applies: the more hours of sunshine, the more flowers are formed.
Summary: The optimal location for geraniums
- warm and full sun to semi-shady location
- protect from strong wind
- hanging geraniums: covered location
The right geranium soil
To cultivate pelargoniums, use nutrient-rich compost or high-quality, structurally stable potting soil. Special geranium soil can be used so that your geraniums feel comfortable with an optimal supply of nutrients. This is particularly nitrogenous.
Plant geraniums: in pots, tubs and hanging baskets
Planters for Geraniums
Geraniums are usually planted in tubs, hanging baskets and balcony boxes. Standing geranium varieties can also be planted directly in the bed. important for themDevelopment of geraniums is a large soil volume. Large pots or balcony boxes (20 x 100 centimeters) are particularly suitable. Up to five copies can be used here. The box should be at least 18 centimeters high so that an optimal fertilizer and water supply can be provided later. Planters for geraniums should have a water drainage hole or good drainage, e.g. expanded clay, because sun worshipers do not like wet feet at all.
Hanging varieties should be planted in higher containers or boxes so that they can develop according to their growth characteristics. To make it easier for the balcony plant with a hanging growth to establish itself, it is advantageous to plant the plants slightly "slanted" in the box. However, the root balls must still have good substrate contact.
Summary: Geranium Planter Requirements
- large pot or balcony box (20 x 100 centimeters) for ~ 5 plants
- Height min. 18 cm
- Water drainage holes or good drainage (e.g. expanded clay) to avoid waterlogging
- Plant hanging geraniums at an angle
Geranium planting time and repotting
The plants are usually well rooted when they are bought in culture pots. For lush growth and a rich abundance of flowers, these must therefore be transplanted urgently. It is important to open the root collar at the ball when planting. This makes it easier for the plants to root in the fresh soil. Pot young geraniums into larger planters when numerous roots emerge from the drainage hole and begin to clog them.
Older plants can be repotted in fresh soil about every 2 years. You carefully shake the old soil out of the roots and shorten the long, thicker roots and also the shoots of the plant by about half. Then you pot the geraniums prepared in this way back into the old, well-cleaned pot with fresh soil. You can use the cut shoots as cuttings to propagate your geraniums. Find out how here.
The best time to repot is spring. In general, however, the geraniums can also be repotted during the rest of the year.
From the end of February, the plants repotted in fresh soil can grow in a bright, cool window seat. In cold regions, geraniums are only planted in good soil for balcony flowers or geraniums from mid-May.Only place noble geraniums outdoors when warm days are guaranteed.
Summary: Planting Time and Transplanting Geraniums
- Repot geraniums after purchase
- Young geraniums: repot when the planter is completely rooted through
- older geraniums: repot every 2 years
- best time for repotting: spring, but generally possible all year round
- Planting outdoors from mid-May
Geraniums for indoor plants
Geraniums feel right at home in a heated room. In a large pot on the sunny windowsill, if the plants are properly cared for, you can enjoy their numerous flowers almost all year round. We have put together for you what needs to be done to ensure that the geraniums are cared for properly and that the plants feel comfortable all year round.
Geranium Companion Plants
The classic balcony can be combined alone and with almost all sun-loving balcony flowers. It is only important that the growth vigor and the water requirements match the partners in the box or planter. Examples of combinations are: Petunias, Magic Bells, Bidens, Verbena, Magic Snow, Vanilla Flower, Lantana, Hussar's Head, Blue Daisy, Loyal to a Man, Purslane.
So that your planted geraniums also bloom beautifully, a few care measures are required. Here you can find out everything about caring for geraniums.