Properly care for, multiply and overwinter scented geraniums

Scented pelargoniums are just the right plants for the sun-kissed balcony or terrace. Because the decorative and flowering plant loves a place in full sun, it also requires little care. Scented pelargoniums, which are also known as medicinal plants, are so popular near the seat in summer, above all because of their beguiling scent. They are also ideal as potted plants.

Care

The decorative scented pelargoniums exude an intense scent of mint, roses or lemon and are therefore the ideal companion on the terrace or balcony in summer. The plant has a bushy habit with purple or pink flowers. Since the scent of the plant, which originally comes from South Africa, comes from the leaves and not from the flowers, it can also be enjoyed outside of the flowering period. The care of the unfortunately not hardy plant is quite easy.

Location

Fragrant geraniums like it airy, bright and sunny. If they get a suitable location, they will be rewarded with a rich bloom. Rain and wind don't do them so well. Since the plants are those that have to move in the cold and frost in winter, they are ideally cultivated in tubs. The right location for the geraniums looks like this:

• sunny and sheltered from the wind
• sheltered from the rain under a roof
• Covered terrace or balcony ideal
• not suitable for the garden bed
• in winter in a frost-free place
• Cellar, frost-free garage, garden shed or conservatory

Plant

The decorative geraniums do not tolerate waterlogging. Therefore, the buckets or balcony boxes in which the plants are cultivated must be provided with drainage. For this purpose, potsherds, stones or expanded clay are spread over the drainage holes in the ground before filling in the soil and planting. Plant fleece is laid over this so that the soil cannot clog the drainage. Next, when planting the scented geraniums, proceed as follows:

• Half fill the prepared substrate
• use plants
• in boxes pay attention to sufficient distance
• 20 to 30 cm between individual plants is ideal here
• fill in the rest of the soil
• Lightly press
• pour

substrate & soil

Normal potting soil for flowering plants from the trade is suitable as a substrate. However, extra geranium soil can also be used, which is also tolerated by the related pelargonium. A part of sand can be mixed in so that the soil is loose and there is no compaction due to moisture.

Fertilize

In order for the scented pelargonium to develop the decorative flowers in addition to its scent, which is emitted by the leaves, it should be fertilized from April to mid-September. This should be done as follows:

• Use liquid fertilizer from the trade
• there is extra geranium fertilizer
• this is good for geraniums
• never put on dry soil
• then the roots could burn
• it is ideal to give the fertilizer with the irrigation water

Pour

Scented geraniums tolerate a little drought better than too much water. Therefore, even on hot days, the plants should only be watered moderately and when it is really necessary. If the soil is superficially dry, moderate watering can be done. Ideally, rainwater is used for this, but tap water does not harm the pelargonium either, as it is not intolerant to lime.

Cut

Scented geraniums only bloom on the new shoots of this year. Therefore, the plants must be pruned regularly for a rich flowering. A pruning may also be necessary for overwintering. Therefore, the following should be observed:

• before winter
• Remove buds, shoot tips and flowers
• almost all leaves
• Shorten bare stems to 10 – 20 cm
• alternatively cut in spring
• cut the stems before the first sprouting
• remove faded shoots throughout the year
• encourages new growth

multiply

The scented geraniums can easily be propagated from cuttings, which is usually always successful. For this purpose, shoots with leaves and without flowers are taken from the plant in spring or summer. These can easily be snapped off with your fingers. Then proceed as follows:

• remove all lower leaves
• the upper leaves can remain on the shoot
• Place the stalks in a bowl of water
• alternatively directly in a pot with potting soil
• keep the soil moist here
• if necessary, cover with transparent foil
• bright, warm location
• no direct sunlight

If the pelargoniums are propagated by cuttings early in the year, small flowers can be expected in the same year. The next spring after cutting, the young plant will already sprout and be in full bloom in summer.

sowing

Scented geraniums can also be sown. The seed for this is commercially available. It should be noted that these are light germinators, where the seeds must not be planted far into the ground. These lie on the ground and are only thinly covered. When sowing, proceed as follows:

• Prepare pots with potting soil
• the best time for sowing is January
• Put seeds on soil
• a greenhouse is best
• alternatively put a cut-off PET bottle over it
• optimum germination temperature between 20° and 22° degrees
• prick young seedlings
• in the spring after the ice saints outdoors
• may now go to their final location
• avoid direct sunlight

repot

In the case of scented pelargoniums that are removed from the pot in winter, there is no need to repot them. If the plants have grown larger, simply choose a larger pot for replanting. Plants that are overwintered in pots must be repotted in spring, whenever roots grow out of the tub. Then a larger vessel is needed. Otherwise, the pelargonium should be treated to a fresh substrate every two to three years. When repotting, proceed as described under "Planting".

Hibernation in the dark

Pelargoniums are not hardy and must therefore be protected from frost and cold. Unlike many other plants, the scented geraniums are removed from the container. For this you need the autumn cut in advance. Because during the winter, you should proceed as follows:

• Remove all leaves, buds and new shoots
• Shorten empty shoots to 10 to 20 cm
• Remove the plant from the pot
• remove excess soil
• Put plastic bag around root ball
• hang naked pelargonium upside down
• in a dark, cool place
• Temperatures between 8° and 10° Celsius

The scented pelargonium does not have to be watered in winter, and the plant does not dry out thanks to the plastic film over the root ball. From February, the plants are awakened from their hibernation, planted in fresh substrate, watered and fertilized regularly from April. The location should be bright but not too warm. Only after the Ice Saints are the plants allowed to return to their original summer location.

Hibernation in the light

If the plant is to hibernate brightly, it remains in the pot and is only properly pruned in the spring before the new shoots. In such a case, however, it needs regular watering over the winter. When wintering in the light, you should therefore proceed as follows:

• Bring the geranium with the pot to a sheltered spot
• an unheated conservatory is ideal
• otherwise a not so warm room
• Staircase, bedroom or hallway with window
• fertilization is discontinued
• Water the plant if necessary
• cut in the spring before the new shoots
• Flowers form only on this year's shoots
• slowly get used to warmer temperatures from March
• start fertilizing from April

Plants that are overwintered in a pot must also be pruned back in spring at the latest, otherwise lush flowering will be at the expense of them.

Care mistakes, diseases or pests

Since the pelargonium belongs to the geranium genus in a broader sense, this decorative plant can also be attacked by geranium rust. This is reflected in brown leaves and occurs mainly when the plant has become too wet overall. A change of location and drying the soil are helpful in such a case. The damaged leaves should be removed. Otherwise, the geraniums hardly have to deal with pests, on the contrary, they like to be placed near other plants so that they are not infested either.

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