Grow Happy & Healthy Geraniums In Containers With These Must-Know Tips

There is a long list of reasons why you should plant geraniums in your garden. They grow eye-catching foliage that will help your garden look lush, are relatively easy to maintain, and can be successfully grown in containers. If you are looking to grow these flowers in pots yourself, you are in luck — because Kim Zimmerman, head designer and grower for Rowdy Poppy, shared a few expert tips in an exclusive interview with House Digest to help you pull this off. Some of her most important pieces of advice include selecting an appropriately sized container, watching out for pests that feed on the plants, and practicing proper geranium care and maintenance.

You might be wondering what pros there are to container gardening with geraniums. Zimmerman shared a few of the perks she experienced herself. "In our climate, most geraniums are annuals so I actually love growing them in containers to easily bring them inside when the temperatures drop," the expert explained. She revealed that it is also easier to maintain proper moisture levels in containers. If you would like to enjoy these benefits yourself, you may want to use Zimmerman's tips to grow geraniums in your own containers.

To help you select the right types of geraniums, you should know that Zimmerman recommends either ivy or zonal geraniums for container planting. After you have snagged one of these two options, you will need to purchase containers large enough to accommodate their rapid growth. "Another advantage to a larger container is that it retains more moisture and therefore you can water less frequently," she shared while speaking exclusively to House Digest. The expert's final container tip you need to know before planting is to ensure they are able to drain properly.

Once you have planted your geraniums, it is important to practice proper care and maintenance. "Just like most annuals, plenty of full sun and water are needed for annual geraniums," she explained. "Weekly fertilizer is great to stimulate continued bloom production, as well. Deadheading your geranium will also keep it looking tidy and direct energy where you want it — more blooms!" If you plant native geraniums, which are perennials, you should expect slightly slower growth. They require sun and regular watering as well; however, native geraniums planted into the ground can also tolerate dappled sunlight, according to Zimmerman.

Don't forget to watch out for pests that are drawn to geraniums as well. This includes grasshoppers, Japanese beetles, and spider mites. Zimmerman shared that browning or spotted leaves with fine webs on the back indicate the presence of spider mites. "Pests are worse when a plant is stressed, so the best way to avoid them is ensuring consistency with watering and care," the expert explained.