Care of Martha Washington Geraniums
Martha Washington geraniums, also known as regal geraniums, are not “true” geraniums but instead are pelargoniums. Martha Washington geraniums are not suitable for growing outdoors in most warm climates, because they require cool nighttime and relatively cooler daytime temperatures throughout the growing season in order to bloom. Often used as potted-plant gifts, Martha Washingtons are technically annual flowers, but you can get them to re-bloom under the right conditions. These pelargoniums can grow up to 22 inches tall and 24 inches wide at maturity, blooming throughout the spring and summer.
Pot your Martha Washington geraniums in containers that are about 18 to 24 inches in diameter and filled with rich, all-purpose potting soil. Ensure that the containers have drainage holes in the bottom.
Place the Regal geraniums in full to partial sunlight, such as in a sunny, south-facing window. Keep air temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees F during the day and around 50 to 55 degrees at night.
- Martha Washington geraniums, also known as regal geraniums, are not “true” geraniums but instead are pelargoniums.
- Often used as potted-plant gifts, Martha Washingtons are technically annual flowers, but you can get them to re-bloom under the right conditions.
Water your Martha Washington geraniums once or twice each week when the top 1 or 2 inches of potting soil feels dry to the touch.
Feed your geraniums a balanced liquid flower fertilizer once each month during the spring and summer. Apply the fertilizer according to the directions on the label when you’re watering the plant.
Pinch off the faded blooms to encourage new flowers to emerge. Snip the spent flowers off with sharp scissors or remove them with your fingers.
Tip
You can get your Martha Washington geraniums to bloom again the following spring by cutting them back to half their size in the fall and keeping them in bright light during the winter. Water the plants lightly once or twice each month and don’t fertilize it throughout the winter.
Warning
Don’t over-water your Martha Washington geraniums, especially during the winter months if you want them to re-bloom. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions and ensure that the water drains freely from the containers' drainage holes.
Related Articles
References
Resources
Tips
- You can get your Martha Washington geraniums to bloom again the following spring by cutting them back to half their size in the fall and keeping them in bright light during the winter. Water the plants lightly once or twice each month and don't fertilize it throughout the winter.
Warnings
- Don't over-water your Martha Washington geraniums, especially during the winter months if you want them to re-bloom. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions and ensure that the water drains freely from the containers' drainage holes.
Writer Bio
Sarah Terry brings over 10 years of experience writing novels, business-to-business newsletters and a plethora of how-to articles. Terry has written articles and publications for a wide range of markets and subject matters, including Medicine & Health, Eli Financial, Dartnell Publications and Eli Journals.
