Geranium

Family: Geraniaceae Zonal Geranium

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Geranium to a garden.

Velvety blooms unfurl in a steady, sun-loving display, painting the garden with rich, saturated color and a softly ruffled charm.

The foliage forms a tidy mound of aromatic, finely textured leaves that holds its look from morning light to evening glow. Ideal for bright beds and window boxes, Geranium delivers nonstop floral presence for borders, mass plantings, and long-season color.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

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Geranium Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Mar 16th	May 11th	Aug 9th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 1st	Jul 30th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Jul 30th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 5th	Aug 3rd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Jul 30th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	Apr 29th	Jul 28th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	Apr 24th	Jul 23rd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	Apr 20th	Jul 19th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	Apr 17th	Jul 16th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 11th	Jul 10th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 6th	Jul 5th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Mar 27th	Jun 25th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Mar 18th	Jun 16th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 9th	Jun 7th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Feb 20th	May 21st – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Jan 26th	Apr 26th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	72
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Pelargonium × hortorum (geraniums), and how do I control it?

Blackleg and gray mold (Botrytis) are common, especially when leaves stay wet and air circulation is poor. Water at the soil line, remove any yellowing or spotted leaves, and space plants so foliage doesn’t stay damp between waterings. If you see gray fuzz or rapidly collapsing stems, discard heavily affected cuttings/starts and use a labeled fungicide for botrytis/gray mold per the product instructions.

How often should I water Pelargonium × hortorum during active growth?

During the main growing phase, water when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil feels dry, then water thoroughly until excess drains. In full sun, this often means watering about 2–3 times per week, but adjust to heat and container size so the soil doesn’t remain soggy. Pelargoniums prefer evenly moist—not wet—conditions; consistently wet soil can trigger root rot.

How can I tell when Pelargonium × hortorum is ready to harvest?

Pelargonium × hortorum isn’t typically harvested like a vegetable; instead, harvest by cutting for blooms or stems. For the best flowers, harvest when buds are fully colored but not fully open—snip just above a leaf node to encourage branching. If you’re growing for cuttings/foliage, harvest shoots once they are at least 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) long and actively growing, usually after establishment around the ~90-day mark for vigorous plants.