If you’re looking for a classic flower that brings both beauty and scent to your garden, look no further than the white geranium. The white geranium – delicate and fragrant blooms are a timeless choice for containers, window boxes, and beds.
These flowers are surprisingly easy to care for, making them perfect for both new and experienced gardeners. Their clean, bright color lights up shady corners and complements every other plant in your garden. Plus, that lovely fragrance is a bonus you can enjoy all summer long.
White Geranium – Delicate and Fragrant Blooms
This heading says it all. White geraniums offer a special combination of visual softness and a sweet, often citrusy or spicy, scent. Unlike some flashy flowers, their appeal is gentle and enduring.
They work in almost any garden style, from cottage gardens to modern minimalist spaces. Let’s get to know these wonderful plants a bit better.
Popular Varieties to Seek Out
Not all white geraniums are the same. Here are some top performers known for there blooms and scent:
- Pelargonium ‘Americana White’: A robust zonal type with large, pure white flower heads that stand up well to rain and heat.
- Pelargonium ‘Citronella’ (Scented Leaf): Prized for its strongly lemon-scented foliage; its white flowers with purple markings are a lovely bonus.
- Pelargonium ‘Arctic Star’: A stellar ivy geranium with trailing habits, ideal for hanging baskets. It produces masses of starry white blooms.
- Pelargonium ‘DeWit’s Unique’: An old-fashioned scented variety with finely cut leaves and small white flowers brushed with pink. Its fragrance is complex and spicy.
- Pelargonium ‘Maverick White’: A fantastic seed-grown variety that’s very uniform and floriferous, excellent for large bedding schemes.
Ideal Growing Conditions
To get the most from your white geraniums, you need to give them the right start. They have some simple but important needs.
Sunlight Requirements
Geraniums thrive in full sun. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Morning sun is especially beneficial.
In very hot climates, they can benefit from a bit of afternoon shade. This prevents the delicate white petals from scorching and helps the plant conserve moisture.
Soil Preferences
The number one rule for geranium soil is drainage. They hate having wet feet. A soggy soil quickly leads to root rot.
- Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix for containers.
- In garden beds, amend heavy clay soil with compost or peat moss to improve drainage.
- A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.0 to 7.0) is ideal for optimal nutrient uptake.
Watering Practices
Watering is where many gardeners go wrong. Geraniums prefer a “soak and dry” approach.
- Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Soak the soil until water runs out of the drainage holes in pots.
- Allow the soil to dry out somewhat before watering again. The plants are somewhat drought-tolerant.
- Avoid overhead watering in the evening, as wet foliage overnight can promote fungal diseases.
Planting Your White Geraniums
Whether you start with seedlings, cuttings, or nursery plants, proper planting sets the stage for success.
In Garden Beds
- Wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
- Gently loosen the roots if they are pot-bound.
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the soil level on the stem matches the garden soil level.
- Backfill with soil, firm gently, and water thoroughly.
- Space plants about 8 to 12 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
In Containers and Hanging Baskets
Containers are a perfect home for white geraniums, letting you place their scent and beauty on patios or porches.
- Choose pots with adequate drainage holes.
- Use a fresh, sterile potting mix every season.
- You can plant geraniums closer together in containers for a fuller look immediately.
- Consider mixing them with trailing plants like sweet potato vine or lobelia for a stunning display.
Essential Care and Maintenance
A little regular care keeps your white geraniums blooming profusely from spring until fall.
Fertilizing for Success
Geraniums are not heavy feeders, but they do benefit from regular nutrition. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (like a 20-20-20) works well.
Apply it every two to four weeks during the growing season. Alternatively, you can use a slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil at planting time, which feeds the plants for several months.
Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to lots of leaves but fewer of those delicate blooms.
Deadheading for Continuous Blooms
This is the most important task for a long bloom season. Deadheading simply means removing spent flower heads.
- Follow the flower stem down to where it meets the main stem.
- Using clean fingers or pruners, pinch or cut the spent stem off at this junction.
- This prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and encourages it to produce new flower buds instead.
Pruning and Pinching
To keep plants bushy and prevent them from becoming leggy, pinch back the growing tips when plants are young. You can also prune back any long, straggly stems by up to one-third in mid-summer to promote fresh, compact growth.
Overwintering Your Plants
Geraniums are tender perennials. In cold climates, you can save them from year to year with a bit of effort.
- As Houseplants: Before frost, pot up healthy plants, cut them back by about half, and bring them indoors to a sunny window. Water sparingly through winter.
- As Dormant Plants: Dig up plants, shake off soil, and hang them upside down in a cool, dark basement (around 45-50°F). Or, place bare-root plants in a paper bag. Check monthly for excessive shriveling and soak roots in water if needed.
- Taking Cuttings: In late summer, take 4-6 inch stem cuttings, root them in water or soil, and grow the young plants indoors under lights over winter.
Common Pests and Problems
White geraniums are generally tough, but a few issues can pop up. Catching them early is key.
Preventing and Treating Disease
Good air flow and proper watering prevent most diseases. Watch for:
- Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold): Causes gray, fuzzy mold on leaves and flowers. Remove affected parts immediately and improve air circulation.
- Edema: Appears as corky bumps on leaves from inconsistent watering. Try to maintain a more regular watering schedule.
- Rust: Shows as orange-brown pustules on leaf undersides. Remove infected leaves and avoid overhead watering.
Managing Insect Pests
A strong blast of water from the hose can dislodge many small pests. For persistent issues:
- Aphids: Small green or black insects on new growth. Treat with insecticidal soap.
- Whiteflies: Tiny white insects that swarm when plant is disturbed. Yellow sticky traps and insecticidal soap are effective.
- Spider Mites: Cause stippled, yellow leaves with fine webbing. Increase humidity and use miticides if severe.
- Caterpillars: Hand-pick them off plants or use a biological control like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).
Design Ideas for Your Garden
The crisp white color and lovely form of these flowers make them incredibly versatile in garden design.
Classic Color Combinations
- Monochromatic Elegance: Pair white geraniums with silver foliage plants like dusty miller, artemisia, or lamb’s ear for a sophisticated, moonlit garden effect.
- Cottage Garden Charm: Combine them with soft pastels like lavender, pale pink roses, and blue salvias for a romantic, informal look.
- Bold Contrast: Use white geraniums to make deep blues, purples, or magents really pop. Try them with purple petunias or dark blue lobelia.
- Night Garden: Plant them near a seating area where their white flowers will glow in the evening twilight and their fragrance can be enjoyed after dark.
Companion Planting
Good companions share similar needs for sun and water. Some excellent partners include:
- Sweet alyssum (for a carpet of white and scent)
- Verbena (trailing or upright)
- Heliotrope (for a vanilla scent alongside the geranium’s)
- Calibrachoa (million bells)
- Herbs like rosemary and lavender
Propagating New Plants
Creating new plants from your favorites is simple and rewarding. Stem cuttings are the easiest method.
- In late summer, choose a healthy, non-flowering stem that’s 4-6 inches long.
- Cut just below a leaf node (the bump where a leaf joins the stem).
- Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder (this step is optional but helpful).
- Insert the cutting into a small pot filled with a moist, soilless potting mix or perlite.
- Place the pot in a bright, warm spot out of direct sun and keep the medium lightly moist.
- Roots should form in 3-6 weeks. Gently tug on the cutting; if you feel resistance, it has rooted.
FAQ About White Geraniums
Are white geraniums perennials?
In warm, frost-free climates (USDA zones 10-11), they are perennial. In colder areas, they are grown as annuals or overwintered indoors.
How often should I water my potted white geranium?
Check the soil daily in hot weather. Water only when the top inch feels dry, then water deeply until it drains from the bottom. This might be every 2-3 days in summer heat.
Why are the leaves on my geranium turning yellow?
Yellow leaves can have several causes: overwatering is the most common. Other causes include under-watering, lack of nutrients (especially nitrogen), or normal aging of lower leaves.
Do white geraniums attract bees or butterflies?
Yes! While perhaps not the top attractor, their nectar does bring in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden space.
Can I grow white geraniums from seed?
Yes, but it requires patience. Start seeds indoors 12-16 weeks before the last frost. They need light to germinate, so press seeds gently into the soil surface but do not cover. They can take 7-21 days to sprout.
What’s the difference between a geranium and a pelargonium?
This is a common point of confusion. The plants we commonly call “geraniums” are actually members of the Pelargonium genus. True Geraniums (often called Cranesbills) are hardy perennial plants. Both are in the same family, but have different growth habits and care needs.
My plant looks healthy but isn’t flowering. What’s wrong?
Likely causes are too much shade, over-fertilizing with a high-nitrogen fertilizer (which promotes leaves over flowers), or not deadheading spent blooms. Ensure at least 6 hours of sun and switch to a balanced or “bloom booster” type fertilizer.
Final Tips for Success
With there simple needs met, white geraniums will reward you with months of beauty. Remember the basics: plenty of sun, well-drained soil, and consistent but careful watering. Don’t be afraid to pinch and deadhead regularly; this is the secret to a full, floriferous plant.
Whether you plant them in a terracotta pot by your front door or mass them in a garden border, their serene beauty and gentle fragrance will make them a standout feature. They are a classic for a very good reason, proving that sometimes the simplest flowers are the most effective and enduring in the garden.