Noble geraniums (bot. Pelargonium grandiflorum) are popular bedding and balcony plants, but are also suitable for growing indoors. Unlike other types of geraniums, they are not hardy and cannot tolerate cold, strong winds or constant rain.
How do you properly care for noble geraniums?
Noble geraniums prefer a sunny location, protected from rain and wind, with humus-rich, permeable and slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5). They require regular watering with low-lime water and fertilization. Remove spent flowers to encourage new bud growth. Please note that noble geraniums are not hardy.
Location and soil
The more sun your geraniums get, the more profusely they will bloom. A sunny location is therefore recommended, outside or in the living room or winter garden. However, protect geraniums from the blazing sun at midday when the plants are in the windowsill. Temperatures between around 20 °C are ideal.
Noble geraniums can also feel very comfortable on a balcony. Here, however, they should be given a place protected from wind and rain. Strong winds cause their shoots to break, while rain damages the colorful flowers, causing them to stick together easily.
A humus-rich, permeable and slightly acidic soil is very beneficial for noble geraniums. They cannot tolerate lime or waterlogging. A pH value between 5.5 and 6.5 is ideal. For pot planting, it is better to use special geranium soil or high-quality compost-based Eder instead of cheap potting soil, your noble geraniums will thank you.
Planting geraniums
You can buy noble geraniums in the garden center from March onwards. But it is still far too early to plant out. Instead, plant in containers, pots or balcony boxes and then place the geraniums in a warm, sunny spot. After the Ice Saints, your noble geraniums can then go outdoors. Slowly getting used to the cooler environment is recommended.
Watering and fertilizing
Noble geraniums have quite high water and nutrient requirements. Therefore they should be watered and fertilized regularly. It is important to keep in mind that these plants have a low tolerance to lime. Rainwater or stale tap water are ideal for watering.
The most important things in brief:
- Location: bed, balcony or room, sunny to shady, protected from rain and wind
- Soil: sandy to loamy, fresh or slightly moist, slightly acidic
- Flowering time: from April to October
- Flower color: white, pink, red, violet, also multicolored
- relatively high water and nutrient requirements
- perennial, but not hardy
Tip
By plucking out wilted flowers, you can promote the emergence of new buds.
