Geranium in Zone 8A — Florida

Geraniums bring a vibrant pop of color to our Florida gardens, offering a long bloom season when many other flowers are struggling in the heat. Their cheerful hues brighten up patios and garden beds, and they're surprisingly low-maintenance once established, making them perfect for adding beauty without a ton of fuss.

Our Florida gardening calendar is different, and the heat and humidity can be tough on many plants. But by starting your geraniums at the right time, you can enjoy their blooms before the worst of the summer heat hits. Our 283-day growing season gives you a great window to make it work.

Starting geraniums from seed indoors can be a bit tricky, as they are very slow growing. Honestly, for the easiest results, you're better off buying established starts from a local nursery. But, if you're up for the challenge, starting seeds indoors allows you to select unique varieties not readily available as transplants.

If you choose to start indoors, begin in early to late December, about 12 weeks before you plan to transplant. Use seed trays with a good quality seed starting mix, and provide consistent warmth and bright light, ideally from a grow light. Bottom watering is key to prevent damping off; set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil absorb moisture from the bottom. Remember, our spring character is reversed, so you're trying to get a head start before the heat really kicks in.

Transplant your geranium seedlings outdoors from mid March through early April, after the danger of frost has passed. Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sun and wind.

Choose a location with full sun to part shade and space the plants 10-12 inches apart. While this time of year is generally pleasant, keep an eye on the weather forecast for any late-season cold snaps. Geraniums are tender, so protect them if temperatures dip unexpectedly. Given how slow they are from seed, purchasing starts really is the easiest way to go.

Watering is critical for geraniums in our humid Florida climate. While they need moderate watering, overwatering is a common problem that can lead to stem rot. The key is to let the soil dry slightly between waterings.

During the cooler spring and fall months, you'll likely only need to water once or twice a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. Use the finger test: stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. In the heat of summer, you may need to water every other day, especially if it's not raining. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, as our very-high humidity can encourage fungal diseases.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry, cracking soil. Overwatering can cause yellowing leaves, stem rot, and a generally unhappy plant. A layer of mulch around the base of the plant helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the stem to prevent rot. Remember our wet-summer rainfall: Pay attention to the forecast and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Regular pruning keeps your geraniums looking their best and encourages continuous blooming throughout the growing season. The main type of pruning you'll be doing is deadheading.

Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, deadhead spent flower clusters as soon as they start to fade. Simply snip off the entire flower stem just above a leaf node. This prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and encourages it to produce more flowers. You can also pinch back leggy stems to promote bushier growth. As our first frost approaches around early December, you can give your geraniums a final trim to tidy them up before the cooler months.

Geraniums are grown for their beautiful blooms, so you'll be "harvesting" by enjoying them in your garden! Expect your first blooms from mid May through early July, about 70 days after starting from seed (though you'll see them much sooner if you buy starts).

The main indicator of ripeness is simply the fully open flower. To keep your geraniums producing blooms, remove faded flowers promptly. Snip off the entire flower stem just above a leaf node. This encourages the plant to put its energy into producing new flowers rather than seeds.

Continue to deadhead throughout the growing season to enjoy continuous blooms. As the weather cools in the fall, your geraniums may slow down their production, but they should continue to bloom sporadically until the first frost.

Here are some common problems to watch out for with geraniums in Florida:

Botrytis Blight

• What it looks like: Grayish-brown mold on leaves, stems, and flowers, often starting with water-soaked spots.
• What causes it: High humidity and poor air circulation create ideal conditions for this fungal disease. Our summers are especially prone to this!
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly and pruning out crowded growth. Remove and destroy infected plant parts immediately. Apply a fungicide if necessary, following label instructions carefully.

Geranium Budworm

• What it looks like: Holes in buds and flowers, chewed leaves, and small, green caterpillars.
• What causes it: These caterpillars are the larvae of moths that lay their eggs on geraniums.
• How to fix/prevent it: Inspect plants regularly for caterpillars and handpick them off. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to control infestations, especially when caterpillars are young.

Edema

• What it looks like: Small, water-soaked blisters or bumps on the undersides of leaves.
• What causes it: Edema is caused by an imbalance of water uptake and transpiration, often due to cool, wet conditions and high humidity.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation, avoid overwatering, and provide adequate drainage. Edema is often temporary and will resolve as conditions improve.

Florida Specific Challenges: Our hot heat, very-high humidity, and wet-summer rainfall create a perfect storm for fungal diseases like botrytis blight. Sandy soil means nutrients leach quickly, so regular fertilization is key. Keep a close eye on your geraniums and take action quickly to prevent problems from getting out of control.

Geraniums are great companions for several plants in the Florida garden. Plant them near tomatoes and peppers to help repel certain pests. They also do well planted near corn, as they can attract beneficial insects that prey on corn earworms. Roses also benefit from having geraniums nearby, as they can deter Japanese beetles. Avoid planting geraniums near fennel, as it can inhibit their growth.