Grow Geraniums from Seed (Pelargoniums)

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You can grow Geraniums from Seed. Easy, step-by-step instructions on how to start beautiful garden geraniums from seed.

Geraniums and Pelargoniums are beautiful flowering plants that can easily be grown from seed. In this article, we will talk about the best way to start geraniums and pelargoniums from seed as well as how to care for them once they have been planted.

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What are geraniums and pelargoniums?

Geraniums and pelargoniums are both types of flowers that are in the genus Pelargonium.

Geraniums are a type of perennial flower, while pelargoniums can be either annual or tender perennial flowers. They are both native to Africa, but they can now be found all over the world.

Did you know there is a difference between seed-grown geraniums (pelargoniums) and zonal geraniums?

Are Geraniums Hard to Grow from Seed?

No, but you do need patience. They are slow-growing so starting earlier in the season is best if you wish to have flowers this summer.

Otherwise, you can start them later then overwinter them for the following summer. It can take between 13 and 16 weeks to get blooms.

Why Grow Geranium Flowers from Seeds?

You may want to grow geranium flowers from seeds if there is a particular variety or color you cannot find in your local garden center.

Or if you just love growing things from seed for your garden, as I do.

Otherwise, you can just find nice-sized plants relatively inexpensively at big box stores, nurseries, and grocery stores.

How to Plant Geraniums Seeds

As with any seed starting make sure your containers are clean and sterilized. You can start seeds in any container with good drainage and potting soil.

I prefer flats or larger containers as opposed to individual 6 packs or cells.

This saves space on my seed starting rack. But I have also re-used the 6 pack containers.

To avoid problems with damping off (a fungus) a sterile mix is often recommended. In the video I tell you how to pasteurize regular potting soil if you don’t want to buy an expensive seed starting mix.

See this post for my comparison of Seed Starting mix vs Potting soil

Fill the container with 2 to 3 inches of your potting mix. Sow your geranium flower seeds in the cells or an inch or so apart in your container.

I usually have the soil about 2 inches deep.

You will be potting these up into larger containers later on so deep soil is not necessary.

Geranium Flower Seeds need Light to Germinate

Lightly sprinkle the tiniest amount of potting mix on top of the seeds or use a bit of vermiculite.

Press into the soil to make sure there is good contact with the seed. Geranium seeds need light to germinate.

In the photo below I used chick grit as it claimed to help with fungus but I have not been able to find this without additives now.

But if you can find it without any nutrients added then it is a good option instead of vermiculite.

Set the container into a tub or tray of tepid water and let the soil soak it up. You can also spray the top with water to help moisten it.

Bottom watering makes sure you don’t dislodge the seeds.

Cover the container with plastic wrap, a dome (to the right in the photo), or something to help retain moisture in the container.

With the large salad containers I often use, the lid works wonderfully. You can see what I mean in the video.

Geranium – Pelargonium seeds need Warmth

Place the trays or containers in a warm place with bright indirect light. Temperatures should be around 70 degrees or higher during the day and not get below the 60’s at night.

Since starting early is highly recommended using a heat mat and lights is helpful. See my inexpensive setup here: Indoor Seed Starting for a Beautiful Garden

Don’t have a seed starting rack or heat mat? My friend places hers on top of the refrigerator though nowadays modern refrigerators don’t emit heat like the older models.

Watch for germination which can range between 1 to 4 weeks. I have found a heat mat really speeds this up, I have this one.

If you are starting them in winter you can grow them in a sunny south-facing window but grow lights are best as you can leave them on longer than the day length of winter. Leave the lights on for 12 to 14 hours.

Geranium Sprouts or Seedlings

Geranium sprouts or seedlings look like baby geraniums. Go figure.

In the photo above you see some of the cells were crowded with seedlings. I had sowed extra seeds as they were old and I did not expect good germination. I was wrong.

Once the seedlings develop their true leaves (second set) fertilize once a week with a very diluted liquid fertilizer. Very diluted it 1/4 strength or less.

If the potting soil is amended with fertilizer skip this for a month or more.

Potting geraniums

Once the geranium seedlings get 3 sets of leaves pot up into 3 or 4-inch pots. Many times I wait until they are a few inches tall.

Some claim that transplanting stunts growth and prefer cutting off the extra seedlings.

Geranium seeds are quite expensive and that is a total waste to just cut them when pricking them out and planting them up is so simple.

I share how to easily transplant them in this article: Thin Seedlings WITHOUT Cutting Them.

Once you have transplanted the seedlings into larger pots it is claimed that you can start feeding them at full strength but I had a batch get burned from this so I recommend a weak solution for a longer period of time.

Or use a liquid worm casting tea, I have never had issues with it burning.

How to Collect Geranium Seeds

I have grown geraniums from seeds purchased via Swallowtail Seeds and I found someone on Etsy called Nursery Seeds

But collecting seeds from your own plants is easy too. Here is what a geranium seed pod looks like.

Note the dried-up bloom. To keep your geraniums blooming, deadheading is essential but if you want to collect seeds from your plant then let the blooms dry up naturally on the plant. They form these spikes that contain the seeds.

When the seed pod opens it will look like this.

One pod will contain many seeds. Collect the seeds at this point and store in a dry, cool place. I use a paper envelope or put them in a small jar (no lid) until I will sow them.

Harden Off Geranium Flowers

When frost-free weather arrives it is time to get your plants ready for planting outdoors. Zonal geraniums are tender perennials and cannot survive cold temperatures.

Prepping your precious plants for the outdoors is essential as inside they have been pampered. Outdoor conditions are more challenging and the plants need to toughen up.

Give it a good week. Place the geranium plants outside in a protected spot out of the wind and partly shaded. Morning sun is great if it isn’t too hot yet.

Only leave them out for a few hours the first day, then gradually expose them more and more to the outside conditions including the sun.

Over the course of the week, they should toughen up enough (if you don’t have blazing hot temperatures yet) to live out in the garden.

Some of my favorite Geraniums – Pelargoniums to grow from seed are:
Maverick Appleblossom, Maverick Red, Maverick Coral, and the list goes on.

Watch the free video for a step by step demonstration of sowing Geranium seeds

Until next time….

Happy Gardening!

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