Can You Plant Geraniums In The Ground

Yes, you can plant geraniums in the ground, and they make a wonderful addition to garden beds and borders. This simple gardening tip opens up a world of vibrant color and easy-care beauty for your outdoor space. While often seen in pots, geraniums thrive wonderfully when given room to spread their roots in soil. With just a little know-how, you can enjoy their cheerful blooms from spring straight through to fall.

Absolutely. Planting geraniums directly in your garden soil is not only possible, it’s highly recommended for creating lush, full displays. These hardy plants adapt well, provided you meet a few basic needs. The key is understanding the type of geranium you have and preparing the right spot.

Choosing the Right Geraniums for Your Garden

First, know your plant. The common “geraniums” sold at most garden centers are actually pelargoniums. True geraniums (often called hardy geraniums or cranesbills) are perennial in many climates. For in-ground planting, both types work, but their care differs slightly.

Zonal Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum): These are the classic types with rounded flower clusters and often dark-marked “zones” on the leaves. They treat as annuals in colder regions but can be dug up before frost.
Ivy Geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum): They have trailing stems and are perfect for slopes or cascading over walls. They prefer a bit more shelter than zonal types.
Hardy Geraniums (Geranium spp.): These are true perennials. They come back year after year in many zones and offer a more delicate, spreading habit.

The Perfect Spot: Sun and Soil Needs

Geraniums love sunshine. For the best flowering, they need at least six hours of direct sun each day. A spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal in very hot climates, as intense heat can sometimes stress them.

The soil condition is crucial. Geraniums demand well-draining soil. They will not tolerate wet, soggy roots, which quickly lead to rot.

If your soil is heavy clay, you must amend it.
Mix in several inches of compost or well-rotted manure to improve texture and drainage.
You can also add some coarse sand or perlite to really open up the soil structure.

Step-by-Step: Planting Your Geraniums

Timing is everything. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. Planting too early in cold, wet soil will set them back.

Prepare the Soil: Loosen the soil in the planting area to a depth of about 12-15 inches. Mix in a 2-3 inch layer of compost.
Dig the Hole: Make the planting hole twice as wide as the root ball of your geranium, and just as deep.
Check the Roots: Gently tease apart any circling roots if the plant is pot-bound. This encourages them to grow outward into the surrounding soil.
Plant at the Right Depth: Set the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface. Avoid planting to deep.
Backfill and Water: Fill the hole back in with soil, firming it gently around the base. Water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Spacing: Space zonal geraniums about 12 inches apart. Ivy and hardy geraniums often need more room, so check the plant tag for specific spread.

Watering and Feeding for Success

After planting, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged for the first few weeks. Once established, geraniums are quite drought-tolerant. A good rule is to water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Overwatering is a common mistake. Soggy soil causes yellow leaves and stem rot. Its better to underwater than overwater with these plants.

For feeding, use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer when you first plant. Then, to promote continuous blooms, switch to a fertilizer with more phosphorus (the middle number on the package). Apply it every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Don’t over-fertilize, as this can lead to more leaves than flowers.

Keeping Your Geraniums Blooming

Deadheading is your secret weapon. This means removing spent flower heads. It prevents the plant from putting energy into making seeds and encourages it to produce more blooms instead.

Simply snap or cut the old flower stem off near its base, just above a set of leaves.
Regularly check your plants and deadhead once or twice a week for the best show.

Also, pinch back the growing tips of young plants early in the season. This makes them bushier and leads to more flowering stems.

Dealing with Pests and Problems

Geraniums are relatively trouble-free, but a few issues can pop up. Good air circulation helps prevent most fungal diseases.

Aphids: Blast them off with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap.
Budworms: Small caterpillars that eat flower buds. Pick them off by hand or use a biological control like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).
Yellowing Leaves: Often a sign of overwatering. Check your soil moisture and adjust your schedule.
Leggy Growth: Means the plant needs more sun. Consider moving it to a brighter location next season.

Overwintering Your Garden Geraniums

In zones where frost occurs, tender pelargoniums won’t survive winter outside. You have a couple options to save them.

Dig Them Up: Before the first frost, carefully dig up the plants. Shake off excess soil, prune them back by about one-third, and pot them in containers. Keep them in a sunny indoor spot.
Take Cuttings: In late summer, take 4-6 inch stem cuttings, remove the lower leaves, and root them in water or potting mix. This is a great way to clone your favorite plants.

Hardy geraniums are simpler. After the first frost, cut the foliage back to the ground. A light layer of mulch can be applied for protection in very cold zones, but they are generally tough.

Design Ideas for In-Ground Geraniums

Geraniums are incredibly versatile in landscape design. Their bright colors and full foliage work in many settings.

Create a bold border using all one color of zonal geraniums along a walkway.
Mix geraniums with complementary plants like dusty miller, sweet alyssum, or blue salvia for texture contrast.
Use ivy geraniums to soften the edge of a raised bed or to trail down a sunny bank.
Plant hardy geraniums as a flowering ground cover in partial shade areas.

FAQ: Simple Gardening Tips for Geraniums

Can geraniums be planted directly in the ground?
Yes, they can and often thrive better in the ground than in pots due to more consistent soil moisture and room for root growth.

What is the best month to plant geraniums outside?
Plant them after your last average spring frost date, when nights are consistently above 50°F (10°C). This is usually late spring.

How do you prepare soil for geraniums?
Ensure it is well-draining by mixing in plenty of organic matter like compost. They prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH.

Do geraniums come back every year?
True hardy geraniums are perennials and return. Common garden (zonal) geraniums are tender perennials treated as annuals in cold climates unless brought indoors.

Why are my geranium leaves turning yellow?
The most common cause is overwatering. Other causes can be poor drainage, lack of nutrients, or not enough sun.

Planting geraniums in the ground is a simple and rewarding gardening project. By choosing a sunny spot, ensuring good drainage, and providing basic care, you’ll be rewarded with months of vibrant color. Remember to deadhead regularly and avoid overwatering to keep your plants heathy and blooming their best. With these tips, your garden will be filled with the classic charm of geraniums all season long.