How to Grow Geraniums from Seed: Colors, Fragrance, and Satisfaction

Start Geraniums from Seed for Unique Colors and Summer Fragrance

While many gardeners propagate geraniums from cuttings, starting from seed offers a wider color range—bright red, scarlet, bicolors, orange-salmon, coral, pink, white, and lavender—and that unmistakable geranium fragrance even in January.

What You Need

• Seeds: Start 12–16 weeks before desired bloom; check packets for timing.
• Containers & soil: Multi-cell trays with sterile seed-starting mix (e.g., GrowEase system).
• Light: Bright light essential; grow lights preferred over windowsills.
• Fertilizer: Water-soluble plant food.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Fill cells with moistened mix. Ideal cell size: 2–3 inches.
2. Plant one seed per cell, cover thinly. Cover with plastic dome.
3. Keep warm (75°F) with bright indirect light. Top of refrigerator or heat mat works.
4. Germination: 3 days to 4 weeks. Remove cover at first green shoots.
5. Move to bright light, 70s°F day/60°F night. Lights 6 inches above, 12–16 hours daily.
6. Fertilize weekly at half-strength once true leaves appear.
7. At three leaf sets, transplant to 4-inch pots with fresh mix. Fertilize at full strength.
8. Harden off before planting outdoors after frost danger passes.

Patience and care yield beautiful, fragrant geraniums you can't find at nurseries.