How to Care for Geraniums

Though geraniums are grown as annuals in most locations, they can actually survive as perennials. They are fairly easy to care for, and make great additions to a flower garden. Their flowers come in a variety of colors, such as purple, pink and white. Learning how to care for geraniums is essential if you want them to provide you with a beautiful blossom throughout the year.

• Avoid watering geraniums too much, as it can cause the roots to rot. Check the soil, and only water the plants when the area around the roots is dry. Geraniums kept in pots inside the house are likely to dry out faster than those planted inside, so be sure to watch them more closely. When watering, be careful and avoid getting lots of water on the blossoms as they can be damaged by moisture.


• Lay a two to three inch layer of organic mulch materials around the base of the geraniums. It is best and less expensive to use wood chips, leaves and dried grass rather than manmade mulch purchased at home improvement stores.


• Fertilize the geraniums once. This should occur when you first plant them in the spring. Sprinkle one teaspoon of slow-acting fertilizer next to the base of the plant, as it will last the geranium for the rest of the season. Avoid using manure, as it causes the plants to have more foliage than blossoms.


• Store the geraniums inside during the winter to prevent frost. You can do this by potting them and sitting them on your windowsill so they can still enjoy sunlight. Another option is to uproot the plants and hang them upside down by the roots in a humid area like a basement. In this position, the plants turn brown and start to dry out. However, pruning the dead leaves and replanting them in the spring allows new green foliage to grow.