Hardy geraniums (also known as Cranesbill) are usually the MVPs of the garden, giving us a lush carpet of blue, pink, purple, or white blooms from spring all the way through fall. But every now and then, these reliable favorites decide to be a bit stingy with their flowers—or worse, they don’t bloom at all. If your geranium is looking a little lackluster, it’s time to do some detective work.
Why your hardy geranium isn’t blooming
If your plants are looking green but the flowers are missing in action, there could be a few culprits. First things first: always check the specific bloom time for the variety you bought. Some geraniums are early birds that pop up in spring, while others are late bloomers that wait until fall to show off. Some species only put on a show for a few weeks, while certain hybrids are absolute powerhouses that bloom for months.
For those early bloomers, a quick “haircut” (pruning) after the first flush of flowers can often encourage a second round of blooms. However, if you get too eager and prune a late-blooming variety too early, you might accidentally cut off all the flower buds before they even have a chance!
Other common reasons for a lack of flowers include:
- Picking the wrong spot in the yard
- Soil that doesn’t suit the plant’s needs
- “Wet feet” (waterlogging)
- A lack of nutrients
Finding the right spot
The perfect location for your hardy geranium really depends on the specific variety. Some are sun-worshippers that love a bright or partially shaded spot, while others are happiest tucked away in the cool shade. It definitely pays to check the plant tag to see what your specific variety prefers before you dig.
Getting the soil right
Just like with sunlight, different geraniums have different tastes in soil. Generally speaking, most of them love loamy, humus-rich soil that drains well. However, some varieties are “hungry” and need extra nutrients, some like to stay consistently moist, and others actually thrive in poor, dry soil where other plants might struggle.
Watch out for standing water
Most hardy geraniums like their soil moderately moist, and some are even quite drought-tolerant. But if there’s one thing they all hate, it’s standing water. If your soil doesn’t drain well and water pools around the roots, it can lead to rot and bacteria that will stress the plant out—and a stressed plant isn’t going to spend energy on flowers.
Nutrient deficiencies
If you’ve checked all the boxes—the location is great, the soil is right, and the drainage is fine—but you’re still not seeing any color, your plant might just need a little snack. Try giving it a boost with some liquid all-purpose fertilizer mixed into your watering can. With a little extra nutrition, those blooms should show up right on schedule!
