Geraniums (Pelargonium)

Many new kinds of this popular pot plant have been developed, the best known of which is the zonal type named for the markings in the foliage. Mainly, leaves are green, but the colorful zonal sub-group called fancy-leaf geraniums sport variegated foliage. Ivy-leaf varieties, another group of geraniums, perform masterfully in hanging baskets. The scented foliage types give you nutmeg, peppermint, lemon, rose, or other fragrance to enjoy.

Ball-shaped heads of colorful small blooms arise on tall stalks. Zonal kinds come in pink, red, salmon, and white. Ivy-leaved geraniums range from rose-carmine to white.

Light

Geraniums are high-light intensity plants ; they thrive in a south or southwest window.

Water

Since they have thick, succulent stems, geraniums can withstand some drought. But for healthy, vigorous growth and blooms, water plants every time soil surface becomes dry. Drainage must be good; they resent waterlogged soil.

Special Helps

New geraniums are commonly rooted by taking three-to five-inch growth cuttings from healthy mature plants.

Geraniums bloom best when slightly pot-bound. Without a daily dose of at least three or four hours of sunshine, your plants will become leggy and refuse to bloom.

Don’t feed your geraniums unless they have stopped growing or the foliage is pale. Even then, use only a small amount of any water-soluble fertilizer (overfeeding will result in leggy plants that produce few blooms).

Source : Growing Houseplants