How to Grow Scented Geranium

Easy Care Guide to Scented Pelargonium Potted Indoors or Outside

Mar 4, 2007

Scented geranium (Pelargonium) is easy to grow. Learn scented geranium care: correct light, soil, watering, pruning, fertilizer, repotting, pest prevention.

Scented geraniums or pelargoniums are easy to grow in containers, both indoors and outside during warm weather and are a terrific addition to the fragrant garden. If you live in a warm climate such as southern California, you can grow these fragrant plants outside in a pot or planted in the garden year round. In areas where winters are cold you must protect your scented geraniums from frost. Bring them indoors for the winter. These plants often become a favorite collectible. Follow this scented geranium (pelargonium) care guide for directions on year round care tips as well as advice on pruning, repotting and pest problems. Enjoy your scented geraniums!

Soil for Growing Scented Geranium

The soil for scented geraniums should be well drained. Average fertility is fine; you do not want to grow your scented geraniums in excessively rich soil as this can cause the leaves to have less fragrance. The pH should be neutral to slightly acid, about 6.0 is fine.

Fertilizer for Scented Geraniums

Do not over fertilize your scented geraniums. This is a case where it is better to underfeed than oversupply the plant with nutrients, especially Nitrogen. Use your favorite complete organic formula fertilizer, or use a complete water soluble or slow release fertilizer such as 10-10-10 with micronutrients in the formula. Apply it at the lower rate listed on the label. Fertilizer from spring through fall, do not fertilize during the winter when growth naturally slows or stops.

Watering A Scented Geranium

Scented geraniums are quite drought tolerant and do not need frequent watering. This is one of the reasons they are so easy to care for. Do not allow them to dry out completely between waterings, but do not over water. Do not keep the soil saturated or sopping wet as this can cause root rot problems. If you tend to over water, use a terra cotta clay pot rather than plastic for your scented geranium.

Light for Scented Geraniums

Scented geraniums do best in bright light and will need ample direct winter sun when grown on a windowsill. In the garden, a few hours of direct sun will be enough. They will also do well in bright dappled light all day. Avoid overheated sunny spots, these plants actually prefer daytime temperatures around 70 degrees.

Pruning and Pinching Scented Geranium

If your scented geranium grows too large for your windowsill, you can prune it back in early spring. Pinch the new growth tips periodically to encourage dense regrowth with good branching and trim back the occasional overly long branch any time. You can also root tip cuttings taken in early summer. Do not be afraid to trim your plant. Each time you trim it, the regrowth will be thicker. Remove faded flowers, or deadhead, regularly to keep the plant looking its best.

Repotting Scented Geraniums

If your plant outgrows its container, move it to the next larger pot in early spring. Clay pots work well since this plant resents excess moisture. Remember you can control plant size to some extent by pruning and taking tip cuttings. If your scented geranium plant threatens to outgrow its space, consider rooting a tip cutting and starting a new plant to replace it.

Scented Geranium (Pelargonium) Pests

Scented geraniums (Pelargonium) are usually pest free, but you should keep an eye out for problems just in case. White flies, spider mites, mealy bugs and aphids can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil if necessary. Read and follow the label directions. Provide good air circulation to help prevent disease problems such as botrytis or geranium rust.

I hope this scented geranium (Pelargonium) care guide helps you care for and enjoy your scented geraniums. You might also enjoy:

The copyright of the article How to Grow Scented Geranium in Flower Gardens is owned by Barbara M. Martin. Permission to republish How to Grow Scented Geranium in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.