One of the best ways to save on the ever-rising cost of geraniums is to start your own plants from seed indoors. And is it ever easy to do!
Geraniums are a top pick for gardeners when it comes to adding vibrant flowers and lush foliage to their flowerbeds, containers, and hanging baskets. But buying them as transplants every single year can add up quickly.
While they’re technically perennials, geraniums simply can’t survive frost. Because of this, most people grow them as annuals. Unfortunately unlike most traditional annual flowers, geraniums are usually sold individually in small pots. And because of that, it makes them a whole lot pricier.
While you can usually get a whole flat of 36 or even 72 annuals for $15 to $25, geraniums, depending on their size, can run anywhere from $3 and up for a single plant. And that is exactly where growing your own from seed can pay off big!
For the price of one or two transplants, you can get a pack of 75–100 geranium seeds, making it a far more budget-friendly option. Even better, the advances in seed quality and the introduction of beautiful hybrid varieties have made growing geraniums from seed a great choice as well.
With starting and growing your own geraniums in mind – here is a look at what you will need, and how to grow geraniums like a pro!
How To Start Geraniums From Seed Indoors
Starting Seeds Early
Geraniums are slow growers, often taking 12 weeks or more to bloom. Because of that, one of the biggest secrets of all is starting your seeds indoors early.
With many vegetable and annual flower plants, starting seeds six to eight weeks prior to planting is more than enough time to grow sizable transplants. But with geraniums, you will want to plant seeds anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks prior to taking outside.
The best way to time seed planting indoors perfectly is to base it off of your areas last expected frost date. For instance, if frost ends around June 1, start your seeds by late March.
Geranium seeds come in a range of colors In addition to the common red blooming types, there are varieties that flower in pink, lavender, white, salmon, and even orange. There are also quite a few variegated types to choose from as well.
- Affiliate Seed Link: Outsidepride 200 Seeds Annual Geranium Flower Seed Mix for Planting
- Affiliate Seed Link: Burpee Border Mix Geranium Seeds 75 seeds
No matter which type you choose to grow, the important part is to get your seeds ordered and on hand for early planting.
Listen To Our Podcast Below On The Secrets To Starting Seeds Indoors
How To Start Geranium Seeds Indoors
Geranium seeds can take a long time to germinate. But one of the ways to help them sprout faster is to soak your seeds before planting. This process helps the seeds absorb moisture and germinate far more quickly once in the soil.
Begin by moistening a paper towel and place the seeds on it. Next, fold the towel over the seeds and place it in a sealed container or plastic bag. Then, place the container in a warm room for anywhere from 24 to 36 hours.
Once the seeds have soaked, it’s time to plant! It’s best to choose larger seed-starting trays or individual containers to give the plants room to grow. Avoid smaller cells, as geraniums need space to develop strong root systems as they grow indoors. A good rule of thumb is to look for cells at least 2 inches wide and long, and 2 inches deep.
Planting The Seeds – How To Start Geraniums From Seed Indoors
Always use a loose, nutrient-rich seed-starting mix when starting geranium seeds. Seed soil mixes that are labeled for flowers or vegetable plants are perfect for this. Affiliate Link: Miracle-Gro Potting Mix 8 qt., 2-Pack
Once you fill the containers, plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep. In half of the pots, plant two seeds to ensure a good number of healthy seedlings.
To finish planting, lightly water the soil and cover the trays with plastic wrap or dome covers to retain moisture. Keep them in a warm area (around 70°F) for germination. They do not need light at this point to germinate.
With pre-soaking, seeds should sprout within 5–10 days. Once seedlings emerge, remove the cover and place them under lights. If any cells are empty, now is the time to lift out extra seedlings from double planted cells and replant.
Using The Right Light – How To Start Geraniums From Seed Indoors
Avoid sunny windows, which don’t provide consistent light for strong growth. Instead, use 4-foot fluorescent or LED shop lights. See our article: Why Not To Start Your Seeds In Windows – And Where You Should!
There is no need for fancy grow lights. Although they will work, geranium seeds do not need special lighting to grow into strong seedlings. Keep the lights about an inch above the plants, adjusting as they grow. This setup encourages steady, healthy development.
Like most flowering plants, geraniums are heavy feeders. Especially when they are first developing from seedlings. Fertilize when the plants are about four weeks old, and then every two weeks after. Use a diluted liquid fertilizer or compost tea to provide nutrients without overwhelming the young plants.
Hardening Off Geraniums – How To Start Geraniums From Seed Indoors
Before transplanting outdoors, you need to help your geraniums adjust to outdoor conditions. Place them outside during the day in a sheltered spot, bringing them in at night. After a week or so of this routine, they’ll be ready to stay outside full-time unless frost is expected.
Here is to growing your own geraniums plants from seed this year. And to saving big in the process!
Simple Garden Life
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Simple Garden Life is a website dedicated to keeping gardening fun, simple and enjoyable! We publish two new articles each week along with a new garden podcast episode every two weeks. This article may contain affiliate links.