Geranium care guide
Pelargonium x hortorum
Quick answer
Water your geranium when the top 3 cm (1.2 in) of soil feel dry. In summer that’s typically every 6 to 8 days.
- WateringEvery 6 to 8 days · summer
Every 11 to 17 days · winter - LightBright / direct light
- Climate10–24 °C (50–75 °F)
- Pet safetyToxic to cats and dogs
Not sure it’s this plant?Get the free Botanicaly app and find out with a photoWhen and how to water
3 cm (1.2 in)
- Summer · Jun–AugEvery 6 to 8 days
- Winter · Dec–FebEvery 11 to 17 days
Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain. Never leave the pot sitting in standing water.
Adjust the timing for the light at the plant, the pot’s size and material, and the humidity indoors. Terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic.
Work out your own rhythm with the watering calculator.
Light and placement
Bright / direct light
Geranium needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. Place it directly in front of a south- or southwest-facing window.
Feeding
Feed your geranium every 21 days while it’s actively growing. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the strength on the label, and only on soil that’s already damp. Feeding dry roots can scorch them.
When growth pauses, skip the fertilizer and let it rest.
Temperature & humidity
Climate10–24 °C (50–75 °F)
Humidity40–60%
Geranium is comfortable between 10 and 24 °C (50–75 °F). It handles a cool room well, even in winter, as long as it stays above 5 °C (41 °F).
It does best at 40–60% humidity. It doesn’t need misting.
Overwintering geraniums
Bring geraniums in before the first frost and keep them bright and frost free at 7 to 10 °C (45–50 °F). In a dark basement, cut them back hard first and water very little.
Common problems
Yellowing, drooping, and dry edges often point to watering or drainage. Compare the signs before changing the routine.
Find what’s wrong
Toxic to pets?
Yes. Keep it out of reach.
Pet-safety information in the JungleBook uses ASPCA reference data where available. It is reference information, not veterinary advice. ASPCA lists the whole Pelargonium genus, so this applies to every Pelargonium species, including this one.
Full geranium toxicity guide →
Pet-safe alternatives with similar light
Common questions
How often should I water a geranium?
Water your geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) when the top 3 cm (1.2 in) of soil feel dry. In summer, that’s typically every 6 to 8 days. In winter, slow down to every 11 to 17 days.
How much light does a geranium need?
Geranium needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. Place it directly in front of a south- or southwest-facing window.
Is geranium safe for cats and dogs?
The source reports vomiting, loss of appetite, depression (low energy), skin irritation (dermatitis). Keep geranium out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like ghost plant, old man cactus, basil, or Arabian jasmine.
Why is my geranium turning yellow or drooping?
Yellowing, drooping and brown tips can have several causes. Check the potting mix before adding water and follow this plant’s watering and rest instructions. If the mix is still wet, do not add more water. Check drainage and roots, then light, humidity, water quality and pests. Faded color or webbing alone does not show that the roots need water.
Sources4 references
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Plants of the World OnlineTaxonomy · synonym relationship · accepted hybrid name
- North Carolina State University Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxLight · drainage · dry-down · overwintering · ventilation · pests · disease
- Royal Horticultural SocietySun · free drainage · feeding · pruning · overwintering · pests and diseases · Light · peat-free compost · watering · winter care · Indoor position · potting medium · feeding cadence · cuttings
- ASPCA Animal Poison ControlPelargonium species pet-safety record under geranium · not exact to the hybrid manifest entry
- How we check our plant advice
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