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What Are The Best Fertilizers For Geraniums? – Reviews & Top Picks (2023)

Geraniums are flowering plants popular for their ability to survive both indoor and outdoor. They’re a drought-loving flowering plant that blooms in different colors.

Most gardeners would agree that applying the best fertilizers for geraniums helps them grow strong roots and boost the production of beautiful flowers.

Though geranium demands low fertilization, the changes in the soil and weather condition can affect its plant health.

Just like other plants, an unhealthy geranium can be a magnet of pests and eventually die. 

So, we listed the best water-soluble and liquid fertilizers since they’re known to be efficient in nourishing geraniums.

Water-soluble fertilizers go along with water that transmits from the roots up to the leaves making them receive nutrients faster than other types of fertilizers. 

In this post, we’ll share with you the pros and cons of the best water-soluble fertilizers for geraniums and their features to help you make wise decisions and add value to your purchase.

(You could use the table of contents below to jump to the sections that are most important to you.)

Table Of Contents

10 Best Fertilizers For Geraniums – Reviews in 2023

Most of the fertilizers in our list have received positive reviews online and have been the go-to nourishment of gardeners for taking care of their geraniums.

Without further ado, let’s start!

1. ALGOplus Geranium and Patio Plants Liquid Fertilizer

ALGOplus Geranium and Patio Plants Liquid Fertilizer Review

Of all the fertilizers for geraniums, AlgoPlus is probably the gardener’s favorite.

AlgoPlus Geranium is a liquid fertilizer specially formulated for geraniums and garden plants. Since it’s a liquid fertilizer, the plant can absorb the nutrients faster and see the results faster.

The product is mineral-based and no chloride and sodium which makes it an environmentally friendly approach for nourishing your geraniums.

Compared to other plants, it has no bad odor and color that makes it good for both indoor and outdoor plants. 

AlgoPlus is a 4-6-8 NPK fertilizer with magnesium and other 12 essential micronutrients and trace elements that promotes root growth, stronger stems, and production of blooms.

The formula does not burn plants and can be done while watering your geraniums. 

Pros

  • No odor
  • Mineral-based
  • Specially formulated for geraniums and contains all the nutrients essential for its growth 
  • Environment-friendly
  • Easily absorbed by the plant since it’s a liquid fertilizer

Cons

  • A bit pricey

2. Southern Ag PowerPak Water Soluble Fertilizer

Southern Ag PowerPak Water Soluble Fertilizer Review

Southern Ag PowerPak Water Soluble Fertilizer is a 20-20-20 NPK solution that contains a great combination of nitrogen and phosphorus that will promote strong roots and stems.

This fertilizer helps rebuild the soil condition and the essential microorganisms that provide nutrients to the plant.

The micronutrients in Southern Ag’s fertilizer are easily transmitted throughout the stems and leaves of geranium since it goes well with water. However, this fertilizer may take a while to dissolve compared to other types of fertilizers.

The 20-20-20 NPK formulation contains three hallmarks of essential nutrients as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Good thing is that this fertilizer contains other nutrients that will sustain the other needs of Geraniums such as iron and potassium.

Pros

  • Contains other nutrients aside from NPK
  • Geraniums receive nutrients faster(water-soluble)
  • Enhances the ability of geraniums to produce great blooms

Cons

  • A bit pricey
  • It may take a while to dissolve completely.

3. Fertilome Geranium Hanging Basket and Pansy Plant Food

Fertilome Geranium Hanging Basket and Pansy Plant Food Review

Another 20-20-20 fertilizer on our list is Fertilome. It’s a water-soluble fertilizer that works best when applied while watering your plants and as a foliar spray.

It’s specially formulated for geraniums but also nourishes hanging basket plants like a petunia basket.

It’s highly concentrated so a little goes a long way. Given that it feeds your plants with water, you’ll see immediate results in your geraniums. Fertilome will not only increase the blooms in your garden but also improves the quality of the flowers. 

We recommend this product for gardeners who not only have Geraniums but also hanging plants since you can save a lot by having one fertilizer for everything.

But, you must know that Fertilome works better on established Geraniums than the young ones.

Pros

  • Highly concentrated so one tub can last for a while
  • Nutrients are easily absorbed(water-soluble)
  • Bigger and better blooms

Cons

  • May burn the plant if the recommended application is not observed.

4. Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer Spikes

Jobe's Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer Spikes Review

Our list will never be complete without some organic selection of fertilizers.

Jobe’s All-Purpose Fertilizer is a 4-4-4 organic fertilizer that is derived from natural materials like feather meal, bone meal & sulfate of potash.

This is a good option for gardeners who are conscious of the ingredients added to the fertilizers that they use.

This fertilizer also contains Biozome which is composed of beneficial microorganisms that improve the soil condition and the nutrients it provides for your geraniums.

Since Jobes fertilizer is a slow-release spike fertilizer, water your Geraniums based on the product label is. 

Another good thing about Jobe’s spike fertilizer is it doesn’t have a bad odor so you can also use it on indoor plants.

The formula is not only exclusive for geraniums but can also be used for vegetables, fruits, shrubs, and trees.

Pros

  • Organic fertilizer
  • Kid and pet friendly
  • Does not burn plants
  • Can be used as plant food for other types of plants

Cons

  • The spikes can be crushed if not stored properly which will prevent them from serving their purpose as a slow-release fertilizer.

5. Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed All Purpose Plant Food

Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed All Purpose Plant Food Review

If you’re looking for an easy fix that can be directly applied to your plants, Miracle-Gro Shake N Feed is a good option for you.

It’s a 12-4-8 NPK fertilizer that is easy-to-use and can feed your Geraniums for up to three months. 

The shake N feed formula of this fertilizer helps improve the quality of nutrients and feed the microbes in the soil.

It also contains micronutrients aside from NPK that help boost strong root growth and bloom development. Miracle-Gro Shake N Feed is derived from natural sources such as:

  • Feather meal
  • Kelp meal
  • Alfalfa meal
  • Earthworm castings
  • Bone meal

One of the downsides of this fertilizer is it has a bad odor. Therefore, it may not be suitable to use indoors.

It also has the potential to burn your plant so avoid applying the fertilizer on foliage and stems. You should also keep kids and pets from your plants until the fertilizer dries up.

Pros

  • Easy to apply on geraniums
  • Contains natural sources of nutrients
  • Can be used on ground and container plants

Cons

  • Bad odor
  • Product labels are too small to read but it’s available on their website
  • Can be toxic to kids and pets until it dries up
  • May burn your plant if applied on foliage or stems

6. Jack’s Professional Geranium 15-15-15 Fertilizer

Jack's Professional Geranium 15-15-15 Fertilizer Review

Jack’s Professional Geranium fertilizer is a water-soluble fertilizer with a 15-15-15 NPK formula that provides all the essential nutrients needed by geraniums.

Its formula has a higher nitrogen content(56%) that can help reduce the nutritional toxicities in your geraniums.

This fertilizer aims to boost the strong development of roots and stems as well as better bud development. It’s water-soluble, so it goes along with water and is easily absorbed from the stems to the leaves. 

Positive remarks for this fertilizer are it dissolves faster and comes with a measuring spoon which may come in handy for gardeners.

Pros

  • Formula specific for nourishing geraniums
  • Dissolves faster with less caking
  • Reduces nutritional toxicity in plants
  • Comes with a measuring spoon
  • Cheaper than other fertilizer of its kind

Cons

  • Not organic and not derived from natural ingredients

7. Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus Outdoor & Indoor

Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus Outdoor & Indoor Review

Oscomote is another fertilizer on the list of best options for indoor and outdoor plants.

The manufacturer claims it has 11 essential nutrients for strengthening the root system and bud formation of your geraniums. It’s a slow-release formula that makes it convenient to feed your plants.

Given the right weather conditions, this fertilizer will perform at its full potential in slowly feeding your plants. However, it may not be as efficient if the weather in your area becomes unpredictable.

You only need to apply this fertilizer to your Geraniums every 6 months and monitor continuous watering throughout that timeframe.   

The good thing about this fertilizer is it will take care of the job of feeding your plants and all you have to do is your usual watering routine.

It is a 9-6-12 NPK fertilizer and the high potassium content contributes to the smooth movement of nutrients on every part of the plants that aids in photosynthesis.  

The only downside of this fertilizer is it’s not made of environmentally-friendly ingredients and may not be a good option for organic gardeners. However, performance-wise, it does the job of boosting plant health and supports bud formation in geraniums.

Pros

  • Easy to follow instructions
  • Convenient option to feed your plants consistently 
  • Doesn’t burn plants
  • Good for indoor and outdoor plants
  • Resealable packaging

Cons

  • Not organic and derived from synthetic materials
  • Performance is dependent on good weather condition
  • Nutrients will only be released if a proper watering schedule has been observed

8. Miracle-Gro Liquid All-Purpose Plant Food Concentrate

Miracle-Gro Liquid All-Purpose Plant Food Concentrate Review

Miracle-Gro has a wide range of fertilizers for various types of plants. Though Miracle-Gro Liquid Fertilizer is not formulated specifically for geraniums, it is one of the gardener’s favorites for feeding their plants.

The liquid concentration of nutrients has smaller particles that make it easier for the roots to absorb the nutrients and see immediate results.

This 7-3-5 NPK fertilizer is a concentrated fertilizer which means a small amount goes a long way. It can be used in a variety of plants.

So if you have other plants aside from geraniums this product is a great option to be more cost-efficient. You can use it for flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and houseplants.

Recommended application is mixing the concentrate with and applying it to your Geranium every 1 to 2 weeks. Compared to other fertilizers, it has no odor, so it’s suitable to use for both indoor and outdoor plants.

Most gardeners love this product because it’s easier to use and they don’t have to deal with dissolving granules when feeding their plants. 

Though it comes with a bunch of good treats for your Geraniums, Miracle-Gro Liquid Plant Food contains non-organic content and is not recommended for foliar spray on house plants.

It may cause skin irritation and can be toxic to kids and plants upon application. Allow the formula to dry up before you allow anyone near your plants

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Liquid formula makes it easier to see immediate results on plants
  • No odor
  • Good for indoor and outdoor plants
  • Can be applied to a variety of plants such as trees, vegetables, shrubs, and houseplants

Cons

  • May cause skin irritation
  • Can be toxic to kids and pets upon application
  • Non-organic

9. COMPO Slow Release Fertilizer for the Garden

COMPO Slow Release Fertilizer for the Garden Review

COMPO Slow Release Fertilizer is another convenient option in feeding your geraniums. Slow-release fertilizers ease the task of feeding your Geraniums while ensuring consistent feeding, that’s why some busy gardeners prefer it to water-soluble variants. 

COMPO sustains the nitrogen demands of your plants for up to 4 months. Nitrogen is essential in producing energy for the plant to undergo photosynthesis and serves as a pillar of amino acid in producing protein.

Therefore, increased application of nitrogen helps improve the root development, growth, and fruit and bud formation of your plants. 

This product releases nutrients based on moisture and soil temperature. So, consistent watering and proper weather exposure should be observed depending on the plant you’re feeding. 

COMPO’s manufacturer claims that it has low salt concentration and toxicity that contributes less leaching of the fertilizer to the groundwater. 

Pros

  • The slow-release formula makes feeding geraniums easier and convenient
  • Has less risk of burning your plants
  • Doesn’t leach to groundwater
  • Low salt concentration and toxicity
  • Ensures consistent feeding for up to 4 to 6 months

Cons

  • Changes in soil condition and weather changes like rainfall can affect the efficiency of the release of nutrients

10. Dr. Earth Organic 8 Bud & Bloom Fertilizer

Dr. Earth Organic 8 Bud & Bloom Fertilizer Review

If you’re looking for the most organic fertilizer for your geraniums. Dr. Earth is probably what you’re looking for.

Dr. Earth fertilizers are well-known for their organic approach in nourishing plants and crops. Dr. Earth Organic 8 Bud & Bloom Fertilizer is OMRI, OIM, NOP certified, and the go-to fertilizer of most organic gardeners. 

This 3-9-4 NPK fertilizer does not contain GMO infested chicken manure and has an ultra-premium formula to provide nutrients for your geraniums and other flowering plants. Dr. Earth’s fertilizer contains Tru Biotin which is a beneficial soil microbe with mycorrhizae and probiotics.

The formulation of this fertilizer makes sure that the organic nutrients are broken down so that when they’re released in the soil, the plant roots can easily absorb them.

Thus, helping the plants to increase their tolerance with drought and their performance in bud formation.  

The organic components of Dr. Earth Bud and Bloom Fertilizer include organic land plants, ocean plants, fish, fish bones, and mined minerals. Other contents include a blend of alfalfa meal, fishbone meal, feather meal, soft rock phosphate, and mined potassium sulfate.

Pros

  • Organic fertilizer
  • OMRI, OIM, NOP certified 
  • Boosts bloom performance from naturally-derived materials
  • Kid and pet friendly

Cons

  • The smell makes it not suitable to use indoor

Best Alternative Fertilizers At Home

Aside from fertilizers, there are also other gardener’s secrets that you can apply to your geraniums.

Here are some organic ingredients available at home that you can use in nourishing your plants:

  • Epsom salt is a good source of magnesium sulfate. It contains 10% of magnesium and 13% of sulfate. It helps treat magnesium deficiency in geraniums that happens when the lower leaves start to yellow. Simply mix 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt to a gallon of water and apply it on the third or fourth watering. 
  • Liquid seaweed is also used to nourish geraniums. It contains several vitamins, enzymes, and 70 minerals that help boost root growth and bud formation.  
  • Canned tuna water is a gardener’s secret. The nutrients from the tuna water help nourish the soil and spread the nutrients throughout your plants. Just make sure it’s not too salty when you apply it to your plants as it may do more harm than good.

What You Need To Know About Geraniums?

What You Need To Know About Geraniums?

Geraniums have distinct behaviors among other flowering plants and it’s worthwhile checking them out so you can take care of them better and prevent them from dying.

The characteristics of Geraniums are as follows:

  • Geraniums are classified as perennials or annuals. The perennials are the types of geraniums that become dormant during winter and grow again during spring. Annuals, on the other hand, only last for one cycle then die eventually. 
  • Geraniums grow well and enjoy being placed in a pot rather than being in flower beds. 
  • Geraniums are drought-loving plants. Their roots rot easily so make sure to let the soil dry out first before watering again. Use your finger to check if the soil is still moist. 
  • Geranium cuttings can grow roots in two to three weeks in a pot filled with equal parts of sand and peat moss. When the roots have grown 2 inches long, you can then transfer them to a potting mix.  
  • Place Geraniums in the part of your house where they can receive 4 to 6 hours of sunlight to boost bud formation and bigger blooms. 
  • Reduce watering schedule for geraniums during winter.
  • You must deadhead spent geranium flowers to allow new buds to grow.

Signs of Deficiency in Geraniums

The nutrient deficiencies in plants are often caused by changes in the soil and weather conditions. Fertilizer salt buildup is also another cause of stunted growth and dehydration in geraniums.

To know what your geraniums need in a fertilizer, here are the symptoms that you should look out for:

  • Nitrogen deficiency: slow growth, yellowing of leaves, stunting
  • Phosphorus deficiency: dark green leaves, stunting, leaves become reddish to purple
  • Potassium deficiency: the death of lower leaves and weak stems.

Role of Nutrients in Growth and Development of Geraniums

If you’re curious how the nutrients improve the plant health of your Geraniums, here’s how they work:

  1. Nitrogen serves an essential role during photosynthesis that helps geraniums grow and boost healthy foliage.
  2. Phosphorus promotes strong root growth, bud formation, and stem development. 
  3. Potassium helps in nutrient distribution and equips the plant with necessary defenses to survive drought and resist plant diseases. 
  4. Macronutrients found in soil include:
    • Oxygen
    • Carbon
    • Hydrogen
    • Calcium
    • Magnesium
    • Sulfur
  5. Micronutrients found in most fertilizers:
    • Boron
    • Chlorine
    • Cobalt
    • Copper
    • Iron
    • Manganese
    • Molybdenum
    • Nickel
    • Zinc

Tips in Applying Fertilizer in Geraniums

Here are some specific fertilizing tips for Geraniums: 

  • Do not apply fertilizers on newly potted plants. 
  • Geraniums are heavy feeders since they need more nutrients during bud formation.
  • The fertilization requirements are different for geraniums grown outdoors and indoors. Indoor geraniums don’t need too much fertilizer. On the other hand, outdoor geraniums benefit the most from slow-release fertilizers to sustain a healthy supply of nutrients for your plants and avoid leaking nitrogen to the groundwater. 
  • Wait for indoor geraniums to be established before applying fertilizers on them.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Are Coffee grounds good for Geraniums?

Leftover coffee grounds are a great source of nutrients that can help boost the bud formation of geraniums. It contains a good amount of nitrogen phosphorus and potassium and can even serve as a slow-release fertilizer in some cases.

Are eggshells good for Geraniums?

Crushed eggshells are a good source of calcium that plays an essential role in the development of cell membranes in plants.

How do you keep Geraniums blooming?

Always give them 4 to 6 hours of exposure to sunlight and feed them with fertilizers high in nitrogen and potassium content. 

Why are my potted Geraniums dying?

Geraniums love dry soil and they are prone to root rot if overwatered. Make sure to check the soil moisture by sticking your finger in the soil before watering. The soil should be dry before you water them. 

How often should potted Geraniums be watered?

Geraniums should be watered early in the morning or late in the afternoon. On top of that, the soil should be completely dry before you water them.

Can Geraniums get too much sun?

Yes. While they enjoy a good 4 to 6 hours of exposure to sunlight, the noontime sun can be more damaging than helpful to geraniums. Geraniums grow in spring and love the sunny weather. To make sure that your plants get the right amount of sunlight place the potted geraniums on the east side of your house. 

Why are my Geraniums not blooming?

Too much fertilizer in geraniums results in lush green leaves but no flowers. This happens because the plant is in its vegetative mode rather than being a flowering plant.

On the other hand, yellow leaves, no blooms, and other symptoms of deficiencies will show up when the plant lacks nutrients from fertilizers.

Are Geraniums toxic to humans and pets?

Slow-release. According to ASPCA, geraniums are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. However, their toxicity comes in handy when it comes to beetles. If you think your dogs ingested your geraniums, check this guide to know how to handle the situation. 

When should I prune my Geraniums?

After the growing season of geraniums and it starts to die back, you may start to prune its leaves and cut the stems short. Just leave a few leaves and allow it to start dormancy in your basement.

What is the best soil for Geraniums?

Since the roots of geraniums are easy to rot, the best soil to use should be well-draining and not clumped up. If the soil is too clumped up you may add a part of peat moss to loosen it up.

Final Thoughts

Geranium is a good addition to your garden plants. Aside from its beautiful blooms, perennials can last for decades of proper care and nourishment. Observe your plants and look for symptoms of deficiency to know the best fertilizer for geraniums. 

We hope that this article has helped you decide which fertilizer to choose and how you can make an educated decision in doing so.

Let us know which fertilizer worked best for you in the comments below and help other fellow gardeners gain more perspective on the fertilizers you’ve used.

May you enjoy a luscious garden and a porch full of blooming geraniums. If you find this post helpful, please share it with your friends and help them find the best fertilizers for their geraniums too!  

About Jeanne Keith F.

Jeanne Felipe is a content creator of anything that can make this world a better place. She is a self-improvement junkie and a nature lover at heart. She loves to help people through her writing, either finding the right tools or doing the right thing to accomplish their goals. Quotes, sprouting plants, and cute dogs make her feel ecstatic. In her free time, she loves tending her garden and cooking Chinese and Mexican dishes. Connect her on Linkedin.

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