Geranium: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
When and how do you sow pelargoniums under cover?
Sow balcony geraniums belonging to Pelargonium under cover, rather than hardy perennial plants of the genus Geranium. Choose seed intended for propagation, including suitable zonal pelargonium strains. Not every cultivated form comes true from seed; cuttings preserve the characteristics of a selected plant.
Plan for a late-winter sowing with several months of protected growth before planting out after frost. Timing also depends on the light and warmth you can provide. Fill a clean tray with drainage holes using fine, free-draining seed compost. Moisten it, space the seeds without crowding and cover lightly according to the packet instructions.
Keep the tray bright but out of scorching sunlight, with steady warmth around 21–24°C. Maintain moisture without saturating the compost. A transparent cover can help, but ventilate and remove it after germination. Emergence often takes one to three weeks depending on the batch and conditions, without a guaranteed deadline.
Provide plenty of light afterwards to prevent stretched stems. Transplant carefully once several true leaves have developed. Gradually introduce young plants to outdoor air before planting them out, while keeping them protected from frost.
When and how do you plant pelargoniums?
When does a pelargonium flower?
How to care for this plant
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Remove faded flowers
On your pelargonium, remove the flower cluster with its stalk once all its flowers have faded. Leave open clusters and new buds in place.
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Prepare for overwintering
To keep your pelargonium for next year, prepare a bright, airy, frost-free place. Move it under cover according to local forecasts before frost, rather than waiting for a fixed calendar date.
