Are you looking for a reliable, colorful, and easy-to-care-for plant to transform your outdoor space into a cheerful paradise all summer long? Then geraniums are an absolute must. This classic favorite has been immensely popular for decades, and for good reason. With their enormous blooming power, cheerful colors, and robust nature, geraniums on the balcony are the ideal choice for anyone who wants to enjoy an exuberant sea of flowers without much fuss.
Whether you live in a city center or overlook the neighborhood from a third-story apartment, a balcony with a railing offers the perfect conditions for these sun-loving bloomers. In this article, we'll tell you everything about the different types of geraniums, the best care tips, and how to smartly arrange your outdoor space to enjoy them optimally.
Why geraniums are so incredibly popular on balconies
Some people might associate geraniums with the past, but these robust plants are making a comeback. Modern balcony design embraces the abundance of color that geraniums offer. They are surprisingly versatile and suit every style, from classic warm red to soft pink or modern white.
Here are the main reasons why geraniums are the ultimate balcony plants:
- Extremely long flowering period: Geraniums bloom from May well into autumn. Where other plants stop after a few weeks, geraniums continue until the first night frost.
- Excellent resistance to sun and drought: Geraniums have fleshy stems and leaves where they store moisture. They can therefore effortlessly survive a few hot summer days.
- Low maintenance required: They are very forgiving. If you forget to water them occasionally, they quickly recover as soon as they receive some moisture again.
- Great diversity of forms: You can choose from upright varieties, luxuriantly hanging types, and delightfully fragrant lemon geraniums, which also keep mosquitoes at bay.
Upright geraniums versus hanging geraniums on your balcony
When choosing geraniums for your balcony, it's useful to know the difference between the two most common types. Both have their own charm and growth preference, allowing them to perfectly complement each other in an outdoor space.
1. Upright Geraniums (Pelargonium zonale)
Upright geraniums grow stoutly erect and form full, bushy plants. They develop sturdy branches and large, round flower clusters. Because they become somewhat heavier and require a stable root base, upright geraniums prefer to be in a spacious container on the balcony floor. They instantly add body and color to the base of your balustrade.
2. Hanging Geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum)
Hanging geraniums, on the other hand, have supple, slender stems with glossy leaves that strongly resemble ivy. They grow over the edge of the container, forming a beautiful waterfall of flowers. This variety is ideal for hanging baskets or narrow containers on the top rail of your balcony railing.
Smartly furnishing your balcony for a maximum sea of flowers
A balcony with open railings has the great advantage of allowing plenty of sunlight to pass through. This is excellent news for geraniums, as they love the sun. The challenge on a compact balcony is to ensure that large pots don't obstruct the floor space.
To make the most of your balcony, it's smart to work in layers. This way, you create depth, serenity, and an abundance of green and color.
A solid base on the balcony floor
For the fuller, upright geraniums, the unique Vercony planter is a solution. You can easily slide this planter through the railings of the balustrade, making it rock-solid on the floor. Because a part of the planter extends outside the balcony, you lose hardly any effective walking space on your floor. Moreover, the planter stands stably on the ground, preventing it from toppling over during a strong gust of wind at height.
Combine with hanging planters on the railing
From the sturdy base on the ground, you can work upwards. For example, combine our ground planter with light hanging baskets on the top rail for your hanging geraniums. This way, you look at the hanging flower waterfall at eye level from your chair, while the upright geraniums on the floor beautifully fill the bottom. This transforms a bare railing into a complete wall full of color.
Practical care tips for full and healthy geraniums
Although geraniums are easy-to-care-for beauties, a little extra attention can really make their blooms explode. With these simple tips, your plants will stay healthy all summer long.
Water sufficiently and ensure drainage
Geraniums love sun, but in a planter, the soil dries out quickly on warm days. On hot summer days, it's best to water early in the morning, directly onto the potting soil and not on the flowers. Make sure that excess water can always drain away. Wet feet can cause root rot. Our Vercony planter is designed so that excess watering and rainwater can easily drain away, keeping the roots healthy.
Regularly remove faded flowers
This is the secret to continuous blooming! Simply pinch off or cut away old, faded flower stalks by hand. The plant will then not put its energy into producing seeds, but will immediately create new flower buds.
Provide extra plant food during peak season
Because geraniums work so hard to continuously produce new flowers, they consume a lot of nutrients. When planting, mix good quality potting soil into the container. From June to August, add some liquid plant food for flowering plants weekly when watering.
Step-by-step plan: How to plant your geraniums on the balcony
Do you want to get started right away? Follow this handy step-by-step plan for a flying start to your flowering season:
- Step 1: Choose a sunny spot. Geraniums need at least four to six hours of sun per day for the richest bloom.
- Step 2: Fill the planter with fresh potting soil. Choose light potting soil that retains moisture well but also drains easily.
- Step 3: Submerge the nursery pots in water. Briefly place the new geraniums in a bucket of water before planting them, so that the root ball is well moistened.
- Step 4: Plant them with sufficient spacing. Place the upright geraniums in the Vercony planter on the balcony floor and give them some space to grow.
- Step 5: Supplement with hanging pots on the rail. Plant your hanging geraniums at the top of the railing for a playful and layered effect.
Turn your balcony into a cheerful sea of flowers with Vercony
With geraniums on the balcony, you choose months of color, cheerfulness, and a true summer feeling at height. By smartly utilizing the available space and working with different heights, you can transform a standard balcony into an inviting outdoor retreat. With Vercony's innovative planter, you immediately create the sturdiest and most space-saving base on the balcony floor. Place the upright varieties at the bottom, hang the flower waterfalls at the top, and enjoy your own sea of flowers every day!
