Geraniums (Pelargonium spp. ) are hardy, sun-loving plants with brightly coloured flowers throughout spring and summer. Many geraniums have scented flowers or foliage too.
Geraniums love a full sun position in a well-drained soil. Growing geraniums on mounds or in pots can help the soil drain better if it is heavy clay or tends to stay wet.
Geraniums are a popular annual flower known for their bright, cheery blooms in shades of red, pink, white and more. To keep container-grown geraniums thriving, it’s important to pot them in a soil mix that meets their specific needs.
The right potting medium encourages strong root growth, provides drainage, and supplies nutrients for robust flowering and foliage production Read on to learn how to choose the perfect potting soil for your prized geraniums
Key Factors in Selecting Geranium Potting Mix
When evaluating potting soils for geraniums, keep these key factors in mind
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Aeration and drainage – Geraniums need a lightweight, fluffy mix that doesn’t compact and allows excess water to drain freely. Wet, dense soil leads to root rot.
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Moisture retention – The medium should hold just the right amount of moisture, Too little causes wilting while oversaturation damages roots
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Nutrition – Opt for a mix that provides balanced feeding over time, rather than one with no nutrients. Fertilize additionally as needed.
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Organic matter – A portion of organic material like compost improves moisture retention and nutrient availability.
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Soilless – Avoid garden soil which is too heavy. Use a commercial soilless blend or make your own.
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pH level – Geraniums prefer a slightly alkaline pH between 6.0-6.5. Test potting mix beforehand if possible.
5 Best Potting Soils for Geraniums
Here are top potting soil options for growing vibrant geraniums:
1. Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
This potting soil blend is lightweight, porous, and provides balanced feeding for up to 6 months via slow-release fertilizer. The mix contains compost to help retain moisture.
2. Espoma Organic Potting Mix
A completely organic premium potting soil that incorporates peat moss, perlite, and Espoma’s Holly Tone fertilizer that feeds up to 3 months. Myco-tone mycorrhizae are added to foster root growth.
3. FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
This soil provides nutrition from premium sources like bat guano, earthworm castings, fish meal, and crab meal. A great option for totally organic feeding over several months. Perlite boosts drainage.
4. Sun Gro Black Gold Potting Mix
Contains Canadian sphagnum peat moss, compost, vermiculite and perlite for an exceptional balance of water retention, aeration and feeding. Can be used for all container plants.
5. Sunshine Advanced Mix
Specifically formulated for growing flowering annuals like geraniums. Made from sphagnum peat moss, perlite, starter charge fertilizer and contains added proprietary wetting agents.
How to Prepare the Perfect Potting Mix
You can easily make your own high-quality potting soil for geraniums by blending these ingredients:
- 2 parts peat moss or coco coir
- 1 part perlite or vermiculite
- 1 part compost or worm castings
- 1 tablespoon slow-release granular fertilizer per gallon of mix
Thoroughly combine all ingredients when dry. Before potting plants, moisten the blend well and allow it to absorb water fully. This DIY mix offers great drainage, moisture retention and feeding power.
Potting and Repotting Tips
Follow these tips for the best results when potting your geraniums:
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Before potting, check that containers have drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
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Match pot size to the geranium’s root mass. Allow room for growth but don’t over-pot.
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Carefully loosen and spread out the root ball when moving plants into a new pot.
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Pack soil gently yet firmly around the roots and avoid burying the stem.
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Water thoroughly after potting to settle the mix. Let drain completely before returning the potted plant to its space.
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Repot geraniums each spring unless they are quite potbound. This encourages vigorous growth.
How to Prepare Garden Beds
For in-ground planting, prepare garden beds for geraniums by mixing equal parts:
- Fresh compost or well-aged manure
- Coarse sand or perlite
- Peat moss
- Native garden soil
Mix amendments into the top 8 inches of soil. This creates an ideal loamy, nutrient-rich growing medium that drains freely. Space transplants 12-18 inches apart in beds.
Keep Your Geraniums Thriving
Now that you know how to select the perfect potting mix, here are a few more tips for growing gorgeous, floriferous geraniums:
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Place containers or garden beds in full sun to part sun.
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Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry.
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Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
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Prune back leggy stems and pinch growing tips to encourage bushiness.
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Deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous flowering.
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Bring container plants indoors before first frost or overwinter dormant in a cool area.
With the right potting soil and proper care, your geraniums will reward you with vivid, lasting color and abundant blossoms.
Frequency of Entities:
potting soil: 24
geraniums: 22
drainage: 10
moisture: 8
water: 7
organic: 6
nutrients: 5
compost: 4
perlite: 4
peat: 4
roots: 3
fertilizer: 3
soil: 3
containers: 3
light: 2
pH: 2
aeration: 2
5 top tips for growing geraniums
- You can grow geraniums in pots or in a spot that gets full sun and has soil that doesn’t plug up.
- Once they’re established, geraniums can handle drought, but they’ll still need a good watering when it’s very hot outside.
- Cut geraniums back by a third at the end of summer or beginning of fall to help them grow new leaves and flower buds for the next season.
- Use Scotts Osmocote All Purpose Controlled Release Fertilizer or Scotts Osmocote Controlled Release Fertilizer: Potted Plants in the spring and again in the summer to feed your plants.
- Get a bushy geranium plant and more flowers by cutting off the dead flowers.
Growing geraniums in pots
As long as the pots or planters are at least 30 to 40 cm wide and deep and have good drainage, geraniums can be grown in them.
Fill your pot or planter with Scotts Osmocote Premium Potting Mix. Gently remove the geranium from the nursery pot and tease the roots lightly if they are compact. Follow the spacing instructions on the geranium’s label if you’re planting more than one in the pot. Plant into the potting mix and fill in around the plant’s rootball. Water in well and top the soil with mulch to retain moisture.
Best GERANIUM Care Tips – What We’ve Learned To Keep Geraniums Looking Their Best
FAQ
What potting mix is best for geraniums?
What soil do geraniums prefer?
What is the best potting medium for geraniums?
What do you mix with geraniums in pots?
What kind of soil do geraniums need?
Organically rich soil that drains well is best for growing geraniums. For bedding plants, mix aged compost or garden soil into the top 6 to 8 inches of the planting area. Use a quality, loose potting mix for container-grown plants. Geraniums thrive in soil with an average to slightly alkaline pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
How do you plant geraniums in a pot?
Use a high-quality potting mix and plant them with the crown of the plant slightly above the soil level. Ensure the pot receives plenty of light but is protected from extreme temperatures or harsh sunlight. Water your geraniums regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Can geraniums grow in sand?
Geraniums thrive in well-draining soil. A mix of equal parts potting soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand works well. Commercial potting mixes for geraniums are also available at local gardening stores. Make sure the mixture is light and airy, allowing water to drain easily while providing adequate support and nutrients for the plants.
Can geraniums grow in shade?
In climates with hot summers, plants benefit from some afternoon shade. Organically rich soil that drains well is best for growing geraniums. For bedding plants, mix aged compost or garden soil into the top 6 to 8 inches of the planting area. Use a quality, loose potting mix for container-grown plants.
Do geraniums need a pot?
First and foremost, make sure the pot has proper drainage. Adequate drainage is essential for geraniums as they don’t like sitting in wet soil. Oversaturated soil can lead to root rot, which can ultimately damage or even kill your plants.
How do geraniums grow?
To help geraniums germinate and grow, there are a few additional supplies you may want to have on hand. Geraniums grow best in a seed starting mix, and they will germinate most successfully between 70°F and 75°F, and a plant lamp can help maintain that temperature. Additionally, a fertilizer for houseplants can be used to help geraniums grow.