Perennial Geraniums: Planting, Growing, & Care Tips

If you're looking for a hardy, low-maintenance flower that grows low and looks beautiful, then geraniums are it!

Perennial geraniums are a hardy, low-growing plant, often grown as a ground cover or in containers. These easy-to-grow plants are also known as hardy geraniums or cranesbill geraniums because the fruit they produce after flowering looks like the beak of a crane.

Perennial geraniums are in the plant genus Geranium, and are often confused with plants in the genus Pelargonium, which are typically much less hardy annuals that are also called geraniums.

Perennial geraniums are distinguished by their simple five-petaled flowers. They typically bloom from late spring through the summer, though some varieties will bloom through the fall. The flowers come in many color for nearly any garden.

They are most popular as a ground cover to prevent bare soil or erosion, or in pots placed around gardens or in windowsills.

There are approximately 300 species of perennial geraniums. Some varieties are native to North America, and can even be found growing in the wild.

Different varieties are cold-hardy to different areas. To ensure that the perennial geraniums you plant will tolerate your winters, it's helpful to buy them from a reputable local nursery, which should be selling plants that will do well in your area.

• Common names: Perennial geranium, Hardy geranium, Cranesbill geranium
• Botanical name: Geranium spp.
• Plant family: Geraniaceae
• Toxicity: Not considered toxic (see more, below)
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil type: Well-drained
• Preferred Soil/PH: Slightly acidic (6.0-6.5)
• Mature size: .5- 3 feet tall, 1- 3 feet wide
• Bloom time: Spring, Summer
• Native areas: North America, the Mediterranean, regions with a temperate climate
• Colors: blue, pink, purple, white

Perennial geraniums are easy to care for and don't need a lot of attention. Grow them in an area that receives ample sunlight and you'll have geraniums flowering in no time.

Perennial geraniums can grow in a variety of light conditions but prefer placements where they receive some sun.

"The best place to grow your perennial geraniums is outdoors in full sun to partial shade," says Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago, gardening expert, author of ¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life and founder of the woman-focused gardening site Agrochic.

"If perennial geraniums don't have enough sun, they won't bloom as much," she says.

Perennial geraniums are adaptable and will grow well in most types of soil, including poor soil, as long as it's well-draining. You can add a layer of compost to provide additional nutrients. (Learn how to start composting at home.)

When it comes to watering, perennial geraniums like the top layer of soil to dry out before drinking more water, especially in containers. Touch the soil to see if it's wet, moist, or dry so you know whether it's time to water. You don't want to overwater as this can lead to root rot. "Make sure the soil isn't waterlogged because that will rot the plant," says Curbelo-Santiago.

Perennial geraniums fare best in mild to warm temperatures. "The ideal temperature is 65 to 85°F," says Curbelo-Santiago.

"Higher temperatures could burn the plant, especially if you live in zones where temperatures can spike up to 90 or 100°F." She recommends protecting the plants from the heat using saran covers or growing taller plants that will filter the sun's rays.

According to Curbelo-Santiago, perennial geraniums don't tolerate frost nor do they like cold weather. "As soon as temperatures drop to 40°F, you should protect it indoors," she says. These plants can manage with varying humidity levels, though you'll want to pay attention to the possibility of mildew.

Perennial geraniums don't need to be fertilized, especially if the soil is well-amended. You can apply a layer of compost after planting to ensure there are sufficient nutrients in the soil.

However, fertilizer can help geraniums to bloom more. If you're concerned about your perennials blooming or want to give them an extra boost, Curbelo-Santiago recommends fertilizing your perennial geraniums once a month from spring to summer. (Here's what fertilizer numbers and letters mean.)

According to Barbara Smith, Consumer Horticulturist with the Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center, perennial geraniums are not toxic, but annual geraniums are.

"The genus for a perennial (or hardy geranium) is Geranium, whereas the annual geranium is in the genus Pelagonium," says Smith. "Geranium species have no toxic effects reported. The Pelagonium species contains geraniol and linalool, which are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses."

After perennial geraniums have bloomed, deadheading or pruning back the plant will help it grow. Pruning also gives the plant a contained, nice appearance rather than unruly growth. (Learn how to deadhead your plants here.)

Geranium maculatum: Also known as wild geranium, this type can be found in many states throughout the U.S. If you're looking for a native perennial geranium, look for these varieties. Flowers are typically pink or lavender.

Geranium sanguineum: Also called Bloody Cranesbill, this has reddish and purple-hued blooms that flourish in late spring. They continue to rebloom throughout the summer but with fewer flowers. This variety has a clumping form and is low-growing.

Geranium 'Johnson’s Blue': This is a popular hybrid variety that has bluish flowers and reaches 18 inches tall.

Geranium 'Ann Folkard': Want flowers earlier? Plant this variety. The magenta flowers will brighten up your garden. They rebloom throughout the season for a continual color.

Geranium 'Rozanne': This hybrid variety produces bluish-purple-hued flowers. If you live in a hot climate, this is a good variety as it can handle more heat than other perennial geraniums.

Whether you're a novice to growing perennial geraniums or have an area in your garden dedicated to them, you likely will want to grow more of these easy-to-care-for plants. Consider propagating, also known as cuttings, to add more to your landscape without having to stop at your local nursery.

1. "Cut a stem that is 4-6 inches long [and] make a 45-degree angle cut below the node of the stem," says Curbelo-Santiago.
2. Remove the bottom leaves on the stem.
3. "Dip the bottom of the stem into root hormone," she says. This will help the roots to grow.
4. Place the cutting in a small pot with about 3 to 4 inches of soil. "Keep the soil moist and place the new cuttings in a bright area, away from direct sun," Curbelo-Santiago. She recommends checking the soil moisture daily.
5. "In 4 to 6 weeks, you will have a new plant ready to transplant into a new container," she says.

If you're hoping to have flowering plants within a season, this isn't the best method. Growing perennial geraniums from seed takes time and it can take up to several years before your plant produces flowers.

However, perennial geraniums easily self-seed and once established somewhere, you may see new plants sprouting up in your garden or even in the pavement cracks.

You can buy seeds from your local garden center or collect them when the plant goes to seed. If you're collecting seeds from a hybrid, you won't get what's known as a 'true seed.' Instead, you'll get a variation of a theme when you grow them. If you have a hybrid plant and want similar colors, your best option is to propagate it, or to buy new plants.

If you have potted geraniums the best time of year to repot them is in the spring or summer.

You don't want to go overboard and get an extra large container when it's time to repot, thinking this will save you time in the future— It won't. A pot that is too big means you need more soil and could even lead to root issues.

"The bigger the planter, means more volume of soil that will take longer to drain," says Curbelo-Santiago, "exposing the plant's roots to a humid environment that can rot the plant." She suggests combining multiple plants in one pot instead of one plant per container. (Here's our guide to repotting plants.)

These are hardy plants that aren't bothered by many pests or diseases. That said, you'll want to check your plants for aphids, budworms, slugs, snails and whiteflies that could harm your plant if they get out of hand.

"Always check beneath the leaves where aphids and other pests can hide," Curbelo-Santiago. If you spot any pests, remove them by hand or spray them with water.

If this isn't possible, she recommends using organic solutions to eliminate pests. "Apply it during the cooler hours of the day to avoid burning the plant's foliage as temperatures arise," she says. "And always follow the manufacturer's instructions."

With five-petaled, medium-sized flowers, perennial geraniums start to bloom in the spring. Like most plants, the key to having these plants flourish with a bounty of flowers is ensuring they receive ample sunlight.

You also want to make sure to start with a healthy plant. Curbelo-Santiago recommends fertilizing your perennial geraniums once a month from spring to summer to help with blooming and to deadhead any spent flowers to encourage blooming.

Perennial geraniums are low-maintenance plants and on occasion, issues can arise. Here are a couple of the typical problems.

Yellow Foliage

Yellowing leaves is a classic sign that something is amiss. But it's not always an easy game of playing detective to uncover the cause of yellowing leaves.

"The yellow foliage in your geraniums can be signaling different causes, from overwatering, underwatering, and lack of nutrients to diseases like bacterial blight," says Curbelo-Santiago.

If you see yellowing leaves, you'll want to observe your plants more to deduce what could be the culprit. For example, if you've been watering your perennial geraniums when the soil is moist, the yellow leaves may be an indicator that it's overwatered. Wait till the soil is dry before watering again.

Leggy Growth

If your plant is starting to look "leggy" it's often because the plant is seeking more light.

"The “spindly or leggy growth” could mean the plant is not getting the ideal conditions to grow compactly," says Curbelo-Santiago. She says this usually begins with poor lighting or the area is too shady.

Do perennial geraniums come back every year?

Yes. Perennial flowers come back each year. Because perennial geraniums are perennial, they also come back each year.

Where is the best place to plant perennial geraniums?

Perennial geraniums do best when planted in full or partial sun.

Can perennial geraniums grow in pots?

Yes, perennial geraniums are often grown in pots. If you live in a region with cold weather, make sure to plant your perennial geraniums in a container that you can bring indoors during the cold season.

Expert consulted:Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago

Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago is the founder of Agrochic, a woman-focus gardening lifestyle platform founded in 2009. 

Ms Curbelo-Santiago is certified in Horticulture Therapy (2019) from the Chicago Botanic Garden, and serves as Regional Director (Region 7) of Garden Communicators International. Additionally, she's a member of the American Horticultural Therapy Association, and a contributor to the BIPOC Hort Group, and the Spanish Association of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (AEJHST). 

In 2021 she was a recipient of the American Horticultural Society’s (AHS) B.Y. Morrison Communications Award, which recognizes effective and inspirational communication that advances public interest and participation in horticulture.