Best Fertiliser for Geranium Plants: How to Feed, Grow & Maintain Vibrant Blooms

Geraniums are one of Australia’s most popular flowering plants, known for their vivid blooms, fragrant leaves, and versatility in both pots and garden beds. Whether you’re growing zonal, ivy, or scented-leaf varieties, giving them the right care and nutrients can extend flowering and keep foliage lush year-round.

Geranium Overview – Growth Habit & Popular Varieties

Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) are evergreen perennials in warm climates and often grown as seasonal bedding plants or perennials in pots. They thrive in Australia’s sunny conditions and bloom prolifically from spring through late autumn. Common types include:

Zonal geraniums – Upright growers with single or double blooms, often grown in garden beds
Ivy-leaf geraniums – Trailing growth ideal for hanging baskets or retaining walls
Scented-leaf geraniums – Grown more for their aromatic foliage than blooms

Geraniums typically grow 30–60 cm tall and wide, producing clusters of pink, red, purple, or white flowers. They are fast growers under the right conditions and respond well to pruning and feeding.

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How to Grow & Maintain Healthy Geranium Plants

Geraniums are low-maintenance, sun-loving plants that grow well in containers, hanging baskets, or directly in the ground. They are best suited to warm temperate zones but can be grown in cooler areas during spring and summer with adequate sun exposure.

Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6 hours daily) is essential for strong blooms.
Soil: Well-drained, light soil enriched with compost or organic matter.
Water: Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry. Avoid waterlogging.
Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms regularly and cut back leggy stems to promote bushy growth.
Mulching: A 5 cm layer of fine bark mulch can help retain moisture in garden beds.

Geraniums benefit from being repotted annually in fresh soil if grown in containers. Avoid crowding them, as airflow reduces the risk of fungal issues. Ivy geraniums prefer a slightly cooler and more humid environment, making them ideal for southern or coastal climates.

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The Best Fertiliser for Geranium Plants

To get the most out of your geraniums, consistent fertilising is key. These plants are heavy bloomers and benefit from a nutrient routine that supports both foliage health and flower production. Use a fertiliser that provides:

Moderate nitrogen for steady leaf growth
Elevated phosphorus and potassium to support strong root systems and prolific blooming
Micronutrients such as iron and magnesium to avoid leaf yellowing and nutrient lockout

Feeding Schedule

Spring: Begin fertilising when new growth emerges. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks.
Summer: Continue feeding every 3–4 weeks to maintain continuous blooms.
Autumn: Reduce feeding as flowering slows. Avoid fertiliser close to winter dormancy in cooler regions.
Winter: In frost-free areas, geraniums may grow year-round. Apply fertiliser sparingly or pause during cooler months.

Recommended product: For indoor geraniums or those grown in balcony pots, use CompleteGrow’s Indoor Plant Food Concentrate. This low-odor, fast-absorbing liquid fertiliser is specially formulated for foliage and flowering balance, with the right mix of macro and trace nutrients to keep geraniums blooming and healthy indoors.