People think of geraniums as very low-maintenance summer flowers, and they’re right! But there are four things that geraniums don’t like. If you avoid these things, they will thank you with beautiful blooms.
In this article we tell you what geraniums can’t stand. We’ll tell you how to tell when your geraniums aren’t doing their best and how to take care of them.
Geraniums are prized for their bright, cheery blooms and attractive foliage But sometimes those vibrant green leaves transform to an unexpected red This eye-catching color change is often a distress signal from the plant. Learning why geranium leaves turn red will help you identify issues and restore healthy growth.
Common Reasons for Red Geranium Leaves
Several factors can cause geranium foliage to redden:
Cool Temperatures
Geraniums prefer warm conditions and are sensitive to temperature drops. Exposure to cold snaps or chilly nights turns their leaves red as a protective response. This is most common in spring and fall when weather fluctuates. Container plants are especially prone since they lack insulating ground warmth.
Excessive Watering
Overwatering is a prime cause of red geranium leaves, Too much moisture suffocates the roots and stresses the plant, Leaves respond by turning red This can occur year-round if irrigation is too frequent for conditions,
Under Watering
While overwatering is more common, inadequate water also reddens leaves. Geraniums wilt from drought, signaling distress. Ensure even moisture, never saturating or drying out the soil.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of phosphorus and magnesium, two vital nutrients, can induce red pigmentation. Fertilize plants regularly with a balanced bloom-boosting formula to maintain nutrient levels.
Improper pH
Geraniums prefer slightly acidic soil around 6.5 pH. Alkaline conditions block nutrient absorption, potentially causing reddish leaves. Test and amend pH if other deficiencies are ruled out.
Diseases
Fungal leaf rust disease creates red spots on the leaf undersides. This is not the overall reddening caused by stress factors. Inspect for ring-like lesions if leaves show localized red patches.
When to Worry About Red Leaves
While red leaves can be striking, take it as a warning sign. Always investigate the cause and remedy it promptly. Nutrient issues are easily fixed with fertilizer. Watering wrongs are corrected by adjusting irrigation. Move plants to shelter if temperatures drop. Watch for disease symptoms and treat if found. With quick action, healthy green foliage should return.
Coping With Red Leaves in Spring
Spring’s temperature swings often redden geranium leaves as the plants transition from indoor to outdoor growing. Take these steps to help them cope:
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Harden off plants by setting them outdoors in daylight for short periods before leaving out overnight.
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Provide protection like a cold frame or cloche if frost threatens after transplanting.
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Move containers to sheltered areas away from wind and night chill.
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Wait until soil and air warm to plant in beds. Cover with fabric row covers if needed.
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Remove discolored leaves once growth recovers so plants can focus energy on new foliage.
Managing Red Leaves in Fall
Cooling autumn weather also stuns geraniums into showing red. To extend their season:
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Move pots to sunny, protected spots against walls or under eaves.
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Keep beds blooming longer with cloches over plants as frost approaches.
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Prune back leggy growth and remove faded blooms to encourage new buds.
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Leave red leaves on hardy varieties for autumn color instead of deadheading.
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Dig up plants after hard frost blackens foliage and overwinter stocks indoors.
Corrective Care for Potted Plants
Container geraniums often react with red leaves due to amplified temperature swings and fluctuating moisture. Help potted plants recover:
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Move pots in and out daily as needed once nights dip below 50°F.
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Shelter plants on porches, patios or garages if you can’t bring them inside.
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Water thoroughly when soil dries out the top few inches. Very porous mixes require more frequent watering.
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Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season for continuous nutrients.
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Prune leggy growth back by one-third to encourage bushier, compact plants if they become top heavy.
Preventing Future Problems
Good care and culture prevent many causes of red geranium leaves:
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Select heat-loving varieties rated for your climate.
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Start plants indoors for earlier bloom before transferring outside after frost danger passes.
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Plant in well-draining soil amended with compost to retain moisture and nutrients.
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Mulch beds to buffer temperature swings and retain soil moisture.
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Check soil pH and amend if needed. Most plants prefer slightly acidic conditions.
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Water early in the day. Avoid wet foliage at night, which encourages disease.
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Feed with time-release or liquid fertilizer over the growing season.
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Prune spent blooms and pinch back tips to keep plants full and compact.
When to Remove Reddened Plants
If geranium leaves remain extremely reddened despite your best efforts, removal may be needed:
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Discard any plants with rampant leaf rust fungus to avoid spreading spores. Sterilize pots before reuse.
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Compost severely affected plants unlikely to recover after hard frost if beds need clearing.
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For potted plants, assess if it’s worth overwintering very stressed or diseased plants. Healthier specimens are better candidates for saving.
While red leaves may be pretty, let them alert you to potential problems with your geraniums. With some detective work and attentive care, you can rectify underlying issues and restore the glorious greens you love.
Geraniums don’t like wet feet
As South African plants, geraniums are well-adapted to warm and dry weather. However, they absolutely cannot stand having wet roots. Waterlogging occurs when too much water ends up in the flower pot over a.
long period of time and does not drain off. This can be due to prolonged rain or too much watering. The excess water forces the air out of the soil and the roots rot. If the soil around your geranium is wet, you can tell because water drips out when you lift the pot.
The leaves turn yellow and limp, and the flower stems and roots rot. In severe cases of waterlogging, the potting soil will start to stink. In addition, you will sometimes find blisters on the underside of the leaves.
Tips on how to avoid wet feet
Use clay pebbles or expanded clay to line the bottom of the pot so that any extra water can drain away. Use high-quality geranium soil. It is structurally stable, gives the plants support, and allows enough air to reach the roots. Do not use saucers in which excess water remains. Water your geraniums after checking with your finger whether they need water. The soil should be watered when it feels warm and dry but doesn’t come away from the pot’s edge.
Geraniums don’t like shade
The more sunlight that falls on geraniums, the more beautiful they bloom. This is because these popular summer flowers belong in the ‘full sun’ category. They collect up hours of sunlight in order to return the favour with abundant flowers and vigorous growth. If there is a lack of light in the shade, they will not bloom as well.
That means your geranium needs more light if it’s not growing much or making new flowers. The leaves will be a pale green colour and you hardly need to water them.
Tips on how to satisfy nutrient needs
Plant your geraniums in fresh, high-quality geranium soil. This is pre-fertilised for the first few weeks. Four weeks after planting, start feeding your geraniums with liquid geranium fertiliser. How often to feed them and in what quantity will be stated on the package.
Or mix a slow-release fertiliser into the soil when you plant your geraniums. This nutrient deposit will probably not be enough for the whole season. Because of this, you should switch to liquid fertilizer if you see that your geraniums aren’t flowering as well or if their leaves turn yellow.
Why Are My Geranium Leaves Turning Red?
FAQ
What do overwatered geraniums look like?
How do you keep geranium leaves green?
How often should I water my geraniums?
What causes geranium leaves to turn yellow and red?
Why do Geraniums have red leaves?
Similar to how sailors can predict the weather by the color of the sky, (“Red sky at night, Sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, Sailors take warning”) gardeners get clues on what’s up with their plants by the color of their leaves. Red leaves on geraniums are a warning to gardeners that the plant is stressed.
Why are my geranium leaves turning brown?
A fungal disease known as geranium leaf rust can cause red or brown lesions to form on the undersides of geranium leaves. This disease is caused by the fungus Puccinia pelargonium-zonalis. Many geranium hybrids are resistant to this condition.
Why is my Geranium turning red in summer?
When your geranium is turning red in summer, this is most likely the cause, although it can happen in other seasons as well. Diagnosing and treating a geranium for water issues is as simple as sticking your finger in the dirt. If the soil feels soggy or wet, the plant is getting too much water.
How to prevent red geranium leaves?
Checking your plant’s roots and ensuring that it is not situated in a too-small container are two additional steps that can aid in preventing red geranium leaves. Geraniums are some of the most popular plants in the gardening world, and they are relatively easy to grow.
Why do geranium leaves look white?
Suppose you notice a powdery white appearance on your plants’ leaves, likely because of spider mites. These pests look like clusters of small white dots on the plant’s leaves and stems. You can eliminate mites from geraniums by cleaning their leaves every few weeks. Turn off the faucet while rinsing, then dry thoroughly.
Why are my Pelargonium leaves red?
Red leaves are primarily a result of stress and can be caused by several different factors. The following issues all cause red leaves and are listed starting with the easiest to diagnose. One of the easiest ways to stress a pelargonium is to expose it to sudden drops in temperature.