In addition to its fragrant leaves, the scented pelargonium impresses with its flowers. They usually appear in summer and can be present until fall. But if the flowers don't appear, it's a lot of guesswork. What's going on?
Why isn't my scented geranium blooming?
If a scented geranium does not bloom, reasons such as lack of pruning, drought, lack of nutrients, incorrect fertilization, frost damage or diseases and pests can be responsible. Review these factors and adjust care accordingly.
Most common cause: lack of pruning
Scented geraniums bloom on the shoots they form in spring. This means: If you don't cut your scented geranium down to 10 cm in the spring after overwintering, you risk not having any flowers in the summer.
Drought puts them under stress
Furthermore, a lack of water can be the cause of a failure to bloom. Even if watering the scented geranium is not the main focus in care, it should not be forgotten. Watering is crucial, especially in the main growing season between April and September.
Lack of nutrients or incorrect fertilization
A lack of nutrients can also be to blame for the lack of flowers. But as a rule, this Mediterranean plant is content with a low supply of nutrients. When fertilizing, please note the following:
- fertilize sparingly
- Stop fertilizer application from August
- fertilize before flowering and afterwards
- use organic fertilizer
- do not use fertilizer that is too rich in nitrogen
- dose special flowering fertilizers moderately
The plant is frozen
The scented geranium is an extremely frost-sensitive plant. If you plant them out too early, for example in March, you shouldn't be surprised if no flowers appear in May/June. Planting out early carries the risk of the plant freezing due to late frost.
Diseases or pests are involved
Last but not least, diseases such as gray mold and rust can also be the cause of the missing flowers. A disease attack weakens the plant so that it has no energy for flowers. On top of that, pests can cause harm. Although pests such as spider mites and aphids rarely appear on scented geraniums, they can stop flower development with their feeding.
Tips & Tricks
Even if your scented geranium doesn't bloom: it still scares away mosquitoes and other pests with the scent of its leaves. No flowers are required.
