Geraniums are easy to care for, but there are a few things they don’t like. Read here to find out what they are and how best to care for geraniums.
In this article we tell you what geraniums can’t stand. We’ll explain how you can tell that your geraniums aren’t at their best, and give you tips on how to look after them.
Geraniums are one of the most popular flowering plants for gardens and containers. With their bright blooms and attractive foliage, it’s easy to see why gardeners love them. However, geraniums can sometimes develop issues like red leaves.
As a gardener, red leaves on your geraniums can be worrying. But don’t stress – in most cases, it’s an easy fix. By understanding the common causes and solutions, you can get your geraniums back to their beautiful green selves.
What Causes Red Leaves on Geraniums?
There are a few key reasons why geranium leaves may turn red or develop red spots:
-
Cold Temperatures – Geraniums prefer warm weather and can suffer damage when exposed to cold temps, especially frost. This causes red or purple discoloration on the leaves. It most often occurs during spring and fall when there are big temperature swings.
-
Overwatering – Too much moisture around the roots leads to root rot and stressed plants. Waterlogged soil and standing water in the saucer can cause red leaves.
-
Underwatering – On the flip side, geraniums with too little water will wilt and show signs of drought stress. Their leaves may turn red and curl.
-
Sunburn – Intense, direct sun can scorch geranium leaves, turning them red or purple on the edges or tips. This is especially common in hot climates.
-
Pests & Diseases – Certain fungal diseases like rust and bacterial blight cause reddish spots or lesions on the leaves. Pests like spider mites can also feed on the leaves, damaging them.
-
Nutrient Deficiencies – Lack of nutrients, especially magnesium and phosphorus, leads to red discoloration in older leaves first.
-
Incorrect pH – Geraniums prefer a slightly acidic soil around 6.5 pH. Alkaline soil can trigger nutrient deficiencies and leaf problems.
-
Stress – Any stress factors like repotting, pruning, or damaged roots can shock geraniums, potentially causing red leaves.
Now that you know what causes the problem, let’s look at how to fix it!
How to Treat and Prevent Red Leaves on Geraniums
Treating red leaves will depend on the underlying cause. Here are some tips:
-
If cold damage, bring potted geraniums indoors until temperatures warm up. Cover in-ground plants with frost cloth. Discard damaged leaves.
-
Check soil moisture frequently and water only when the top inch is dry. Make sure pots have drainage holes and empty saucer after watering.
-
Move plants out of hot midday sun. Provide shade cloths if needed. Mist leaves to cool them.
-
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during growth period to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
-
Test soil pH yearly and amend if needed to maintain the ideal slightly acidic level.
-
Inspect regularly for pests like spider mites. Treat with insecticidal soap. Remove diseased leaves and avoid overhead watering.
-
When repotting, prune roots and damaged leaves. Transplant into fresh potting mix. Give a few weeks to recover before excess handling.
-
Protect from cold and frost by covering or bringing indoors. Discard frosted foliage.
With some adjustments to care, geraniums with red leaves can often make a full recovery. But prevention is key! Here are some tips to keep your geraniums happy and healthy:
-
Plant in well-draining containers and soilless potting mix. Add granite grit for extra drainage.
-
Water thoroughly when top inch of soil is dry. Discard excess water in saucer.
-
Fertilize every 2 weeks during growth and flowering period with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
-
Place in full sun to partial shade, avoiding hot afternoon sun.
-
Bring indoors or protect from frost when temps drop below 40°F (4°C).
-
Scout regularly for pests and diseases. Treat quickly before they spread.
-
Prune off spent flowers and any dead or damaged leaves and stems.
-
Repot every 2 years in fresh potting mix to replenish nutrients.
Following these care guidelines will help prevent stress and promote vigorous geranium growth. Be sure to monitor soil moisture closely and don’t overwater. With the right growing conditions and care, you can enjoy year after year of lush green geranium foliage and brilliant blooms.
When to Worry About Red Leaves on Geraniums
In most cases, red leaves are just a temporary cosmetic issue and the plant will recover. But in some situations, it may indicate a more serious underlying problem.
Here are some red leaf symptoms that warrant concern:
-
Leaves are shriveling or wilting in addition to discoloration
-
Significant leaf loss and dieback occurring
-
Discoloration rapid spreads to affect most leaves
-
Red spots covered in powdery growths, indicating disease
-
Webbing and tiny insects visible, signaling spider mites
-
Stem and crown rotting at soil line
-
Entire plant decline despite treatment
If you notice these warning signs, the problem may be more serious like root rot, nutrient deficiency, or disease. At that point it’s best to discard the plant to prevent spreading issues further.
When in doubt about the severity, it’s a good idea to just start fresh with a new healthy geranium plant. They are inexpensive and this guarantees you won’t carryover any problems.
Enjoy Vibrant and Healthy Geraniums
When those gorgeous geraniums start showing red leaves, don’t panic! In most cases, some adjustments to their care and conditions will get them thriving again. Just be attentive to their needs and provide adequate water, nutrients, and protection from temperature extremes. With the right maintenance and TLC, your geraniums will reward you with their signature vibrant green foliage and cheerful blooms throughout the seasons.
Why are My Geranium Leaves Red?
Red leaves on a geranium are a sign that the plant is stressed in some way. While the bright red coloration of stressed geraniums can actually be quite attractive, it is a sign of concern. Red geranium leaves can be a symptom of minor problems, such as over or underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or cool temperatures. However, geranium leaves turning red can also signify more serious issues. The most common reason for red leaves on a geranium is cool temperatures. This may happen in spring or fall when these heat-loving plants become shocked by fluctuating temperatures and cold nighttime temps. In spring, this problem will often work itself out as temperatures begin to warm up. However, container grown geraniums may need to be taken indoors when low temperatures are expected and geraniums in beds may need to be covered. In autumn, geraniums with red leaves can be left for added fall color. However, if you wish to overwinter geraniums, you should pick off the red leaves and move the plant indoors. When cool temperatures are not the cause of red leaves on a geranium, it may be time to think about your watering habits. Geranium plants have low water needs and red geranium leaves oftentimes are caused by overwatering. Geraniums may also produce red leaves from too little watering. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the weather and the timing of red leaves. If it is a cooler period like spring or fall, the fluctuations in temperature may be the problem. If it is a specifically rainy period or time of drought, water may be causing red geranium leaves.
Geraniums don’t like wet feet
As South African plants, geraniums are well-adapted to warm and dry weather. However, they absolutely cannot stand having wet roots. Waterlogging occurs when too much water ends up in the flower pot over a long period of time and does not drain off. This can be due to prolonged rain or too much watering. The excess water forces the air out of the soil and the roots rot. You can tell that your geranium is suffering from waterlogging because the water drips out of the soil when you lift the pot. The leaves turn yellow and limp, and the flower stems and roots rot. In severe cases of waterlogging, the potting soil will start to stink. In addition, you will sometimes find blisters on the underside of the leaves.
Tips on how to avoid wet feet Make sure that excess water can drain away by adding a layer of clay pebbles or expanded clay to the bottom of the pot. Use high-quality geranium soil. It is structurally stable, gives the plants support, and allows enough air to reach the roots. Do not use saucers in which excess water remains. Water your geraniums after checking with your finger whether they need water. The right time to water is when the soil feels warm and dry but does not separate from the rim of the pot.
Why Are My Geranium Leaves Turning Red?
FAQ
How do you fix red geranium leaves?
A lack of magnesium or phosphorus can also cause red leaves on a geranium. It is recommended that geraniums be fertilized every 7 to 14 days with a foliar fertilizer for flowering plants or vegetables. The fertilizer’s ideal NPK ratio should be 5-15-15 or 4-10-10.
How do you keep geranium leaves green?
The light requirements are so reduced by the indoor light, most leaves are going to turn yellow anyway. Put them in the brightest room you have, as close to the window as possible, keep reasonably well watered, (but geraniums can handle a bit of drought too.) So, water well, then let dry out a bit, then water well.
What are the signs of overwatering geraniums?
Overwatering will cause the leaves of annual geraniums to turn yellow and the blossoms to wilt. Reduce waterings if you are overwintering annual geraniums, but do not let the soil dry out completely.
What causes geranium leaves to turn yellow and red?
Cold snaps in the spring or extended cool weather, especially cool, wet weather, can cause geraniums with yellow leaves.Jul 26, 2021
Why do Geraniums have red leaves?
Similar to how sailors can predict the weather by the color of the sky, (“Red sky at night, Sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, Sailors take warning”) gardeners get clues on what’s up with their plants by the color of their leaves. Red leaves on geraniums are a warning to gardeners that the plant is stressed.
Why do Geraniums have yellow leaves?
‘Although underwatered geraniums may also have yellow leaves, they will likely have curled edges instead of being limp due to their dry roots.’ Red geranium leaves are more common than you think, but with a few changes to the way you care for the plants, you could avoid the issue altogether.
Why are my geranium leaves turning brown?
A fungal disease known as geranium leaf rust can cause red or brown lesions to form on the undersides of geranium leaves. This disease is caused by the fungus Puccinia pelargonium-zonalis. Many geranium hybrids are resistant to this condition.
How to prevent red geranium leaves?
Checking your plant’s roots and ensuring that it is not situated in a too-small container are two additional steps that can aid in preventing red geranium leaves. Geraniums are some of the most popular plants in the gardening world, and they are relatively easy to grow.
Why do geranium leaves change colour?
1. Your geraniums have a nutrient deficiency ‘Geranium leaves change colour when they lack nutrients,’ says Monique Gudgeon, garden director at Sculpture by the Lakes. The missing nutrients are likely magnesium and phosphate, but luckily, a wide range of feeds exist to counteract the deficiency.
Why are my Pelargonium leaves red?
Red leaves are primarily a result of stress and can be caused by several different factors. The following issues all cause red leaves and are listed starting with the easiest to diagnose. One of the easiest ways to stress a pelargonium is to expose it to sudden drops in temperature.