When I started working at Gardener’s Supply in the 1990s, my Vermont backyard was pretty green—with grass. Today, just a tiny bit of the original lawn remains. Most of the available space has given way to trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and stonework.
While working at Gardener’s Supply, I also worked in the gardening division at Church Hill Landscapes. In that role, I maintained dozens of gardens and planted thousands of perennials, shrubs, and trees.
I left Gardener’s Supply in 2017 to get a master’s degree in ecological landscape design from the Conway School. Explore my portfolio from that training. You can reach me via LinkedIn. Horiculture review by
Maria Genovese is our staff Copywriter at Gardeners Supply. Maria holds an MA in Writing & Publishing from DePaul University—and her passion for gardening is just as strong as her writing skills. She recently worked as a Landscape Gardener at Mama’s Gardens in the Champlain Islands and completed the “Thriving Gardens” course through the Vermont Garden Network. She is participating in the University of Vermont Master Gardener program in 2025.
Weve seen them in every greenhouse and garden center for decades – the classic, annual geranium (officially known as pelargonium; not to be confused with the perennial hardy geranium). If youre a gardener looking for hope in the middle of an icy January day, theres no better balm than a geranium seedling. The tiny leaves have the characteristic rounded shape, with contrasting bands of maroon. Aw, shucks theyre cute! But the power — the thing that tells you spring is coming and gives you hope — is in the smell, that one-of-a-kind geranium fragrance. Even in the dead of winter, those tiny leaves smell like summer on the porch.
Many gardeners know about starting geraniums from cuttings. Its a great way to share treasured plants, and it feels thrifty. And gardeners love things that are thrifty. But if you start plants from seed, you get to choose from a range of colors: bright red, scarlet, bicolors, orange-salmon, coral, pink, white and lavender. And instead of feeling thrifty, you feel clever.
“There is no trick to growing geraniums from seed,” says Valerie Ryan, who grows dozens of seedlings each year. “Patience and care is all that is needed.” She usually grows 40 seedlings at home, but this year, shes planted another 200 that grow under lights in our Burlington, VT, call center, where she works.
What Do Geranium Seeds Look Like? A Close Visual Guide
Geraniums are a beloved flower known for their cheerful colors and hardy nature. While geraniums can easily be propagated through cuttings, collecting and sowing seeds is also an excellent way to increase your plants But what exactly do geranium seeds look like? Let’s take a close visual tour of the anatomy, harvesting, and planting of these tiny reproducers
Anatomy of a Geranium Seed
Geranium seeds are enclosed within seed pods located at the base of spent flower heads. Each seed is minuscule, typically 1-2mm in length The seed is oval and flattened, with a rigid outer seed coat Underneath this coat lies the actual geranium embryo and stored food supply to power initial growth.
The seeds are ejected from pods via a spring-loaded mechanism that forcefully shoots them up to 3 meters from the parent plant. This ensures wider dispersal and prevents competition between offspring growing directly underneath the original.
Identifying Ripe Geranium Seed Pods
Timing is critical when gathering geranium seeds. Pick too early and the embryo will be premature. Too late and the seeds may have already shot out.
Luckily there are visual signs to identify ripe seed pods:
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The central flower spike and seed pods will darken from green to black/brown.
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Pods at the spike base will swell and become firm.
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Avoid pods that have split open, signaling seeds have discharged.
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Ideal pods will be rounded, dark in color, and still sealed.
Different geranium varieties have slightly different timing, but seeds generally mature 1-2 months after blooming.
Harvesting Technique to Obtain Seeds
Care must be exercised when harvesting geranium seed pods. If handled roughly, the spring mechanism may prematurely eject the seeds and cause loss.
Here are some tips for careful picking:
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Identify ripe pods and visually select those still closed and swollen with seed.
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Use scissors to snip the entire pod from the plant. Pulling may trigger seed dispersal.
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Gently cup your hand around the pod as you cut to catch any freed seeds.
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Place pods in a labeled paper bag with the plant name and date.
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At home, spread pods in a shallow container to naturally release seeds over the next week.
Storing and Maintaining Viability
Fresh geranium seeds can be planted right away, but also store well for later sowing. Place dry seeds in an airtight container and keep cool. Stored properly, geranium seeds can remain viable for up to 3 years.
To maintain viability:
- Allow fresh seeds to fully dry before storage
- Keep sealed in an airtight, moisture-proof container
- Store seeds in the refrigerator or other cool, dark place
- Use a desiccant pack to absorb any humidity
- Avoid freezing temperatures
How to Sow Saved Geranium Seeds
Geranium seeds have a tough outer coat that benefits from scarification before planting. This mimics natural weathering and softens the coat so moisture can enter and activate germination.
Here are some tips for sowing preserved geranium seeds:
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Gently scratch or nick seed coats using sandpaper or a file. Take care not to harm the embryo.
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Alternatively, soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing.
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Sow pre-treated seeds shallowly in sterile seed starting mix.
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Cover trays or pots with plastic to retain moisture during germination.
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If possible, provide bottom heat of 65-70°F.
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Once sprouted, remove covers and grow on at 60-65°F.
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Transplant seedlings after 2-3 true leaves emerge.
Troubleshooting Germination Issues
Geranium seeds that fail to germinate may be too old, planted too deeply, or experiencing incorrect temperatures. To improve results:
- Sow fresh seeds soon after harvesting
- Ensure proper soil moisture but avoid overwatering
- Provide warm soil temperatures around 70°F
- Surface sow seeds and lightly cover
- Scarify or soak seeds prior to planting
With proper harvesting, storage, and sowing techniques, geranium seeds are a fantastic way to multiply your stock of these cheerful garden flowers. A close look at the tiny seeds reveals the incredible botany powering geranium propagation.
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When I started working at Gardener’s Supply in the 1990s, my Vermont backyard was pretty green—with grass. Today, just a tiny bit of the original lawn remains. Most of the available space has given way to trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and stonework.
While working at Gardener’s Supply, I also worked in the gardening division at Church Hill Landscapes. In that role, I maintained dozens of gardens and planted thousands of perennials, shrubs, and trees.
I left Gardener’s Supply in 2017 to get a master’s degree in ecological landscape design from the Conway School. Explore my portfolio from that training. You can reach me via LinkedIn. Horiculture review by
Maria Genovese is our staff Copywriter at Gardeners Supply. Maria holds an MA in Writing & Publishing from DePaul University—and her passion for gardening is just as strong as her writing skills. She recently worked as a Landscape Gardener at Mama’s Gardens in the Champlain Islands and completed the “Thriving Gardens” course through the Vermont Garden Network. She is participating in the University of Vermont Master Gardener program in 2025.
Last updated: March 27, 2025 | 4 min read
Weve seen them in every greenhouse and garden center for decades – the classic, annual geranium (officially known as pelargonium; not to be confused with the perennial hardy geranium). If youre a gardener looking for hope in the middle of an icy January day, theres no better balm than a geranium seedling. The tiny leaves have the characteristic rounded shape, with contrasting bands of maroon. Aw, shucks theyre cute! But the power — the thing that tells you spring is coming and gives you hope — is in the smell, that one-of-a-kind geranium fragrance. Even in the dead of winter, those tiny leaves smell like summer on the porch.
Geranium seedlings, before being “potted up” to larger containers.
Many gardeners know about starting geraniums from cuttings. Its a great way to share treasured plants, and it feels thrifty. And gardeners love things that are thrifty. But if you start plants from seed, you get to choose from a range of colors: bright red, scarlet, bicolors, orange-salmon, coral, pink, white and lavender. And instead of feeling thrifty, you feel clever.
“There is no trick to growing geraniums from seed,” says Valerie Ryan, who grows dozens of seedlings each year. “Patience and care is all that is needed.” She usually grows 40 seedlings at home, but this year, shes planted another 200 that grow under lights in our Burlington, VT, call center, where she works.
- Seeds:There is a wide selection available at garden centers and online. The key is to start early: Youll need 12 to 16 weeks to get flowering plants. Some varieties come in to bloom faster than others, so check the seed packets.
- Pots and soil: Although you can start seeds in any container with good drainage and sterile “potting soil,” its a good idea to start with a multi-cell tray thats designed for seed starting. “We use the GrowEase system and have had almost 100 percent germination,” Valerie says. “Of 200 seeds, only two failed to germinate. For potting soil, use a sterile mix, such as Seed Starting Mix.
- Light:Your seedlings will need light — lots of it. You can get pretty good results in a south-facing window, but its easier to ensure ideal growing conditions by growing the seedlings under lights.
- Fertilizer:Choose a water-soluble plant food, such as Plant Health Care for Seedlings/Houseplants.
Starting Zonal Geraniums From Seed ( a GREAT Flower for Beginners!) // Garden Answer
FAQ
Can you grow geraniums from seeds?
Growing geraniums from seed has the advantage of not carrying disease forward as propagating from leaf and stem cuttings can do. With seed geraniums, you’re not limited to just propagating varieties you have, but have the incredible variety of seed geraniums that are available from various seed catalogs.
Do geraniums spread from seed?
Geraniums grow readily from seed. However, to grow geranium from seed, you need to be patient. From seed to flower can take up to 16 weeks. Germinating seeds requires a photoperiod and heat, but the most important thing if you want summer bedding plants is knowing when to sow.
What’s the difference between seed geraniums and regular geraniums?
What is the difference between a Seed Geranium and a Zonal Geranium? Zonal Geraniums are propagated from cuttings from a mother plant, while seed geraniums are started from seed. Zonal geraniums produce larger plants and flowers and are more consistent in color, size, and performance.