Geraniums have got that cheerful, slightly old-fashioned charm that makes any outdoor space feel alive again. Whether you tuck them into chipped teacups or bold terracotta pots, geraniums have a way of turning even the plainest corner into something cottage-worthy.
In this post we explore what planters will help a geranium flourish and the best time of year to plant geraniums, along with some tips on which plants to plant or not plant alongside a geranium flower.
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When Is The Best Time To Plant Geraniums
Geraniums are warm-weather bloomers, so timing your planting makes all the difference. The best time to plant geraniums is in late spring, once the risk of frost has passed and daytime temperatures consistently reach around 18–24°C (65–75°F).
If you’re starting them indoors, plant 6–8 weeks before the last frost and move them outside once the soil warms up. Geraniums hate cold, damp roots, so patience pays off here.
Quick planting guide:
- Ideal planting month: April to June (depending on your region)
- Soil temperature: At least 15°C (60°F) before planting outdoors
- Light needs: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best color and growth
- Watering tip: Let the soil dry slightly between waterings; soggy roots cause rot
- Pro tip: Pinch back young plants after transplanting to encourage bushier growth
If you’re keeping them in pots or planters, you can start them a bit earlier indoors using self-watering containers or terracotta-style pots with drainage to avoid root rot.
What Flowers Can You Plant With Geraniums
Geraniums are friendly growers and mix beautifully with other sun-loving plants that like similar soil conditions. Pairing them with plants that have contrasting textures or colors makes them pop even more.
Best companion flowers for geraniums:
- Petunias – They bloom all season and love full sun just like geraniums.
- Lobelia – Adds a soft, trailing edge around planters for a balanced look.
- Dusty Miller – Silvery leaves make bright red or pink geraniums stand out.
- Sweet Alyssum – Low-growing filler that gives planters a cottage garden feel.
- Salvia – Offers height and deep purple tones that complement geranium blooms.
- Marigolds – Perfect for pest control, as their scent helps deter insects naturally.
Design tip: Mix upright geraniums in the center of a pot with trailing plants like lobelia or ivy around the edges. This creates that “spilling over” effect that looks professional but takes five minutes to do.
If you prefer more texture, try adding herbs like thyme or oregano. Both enjoy the same sunny, well-drained conditions and subtly scent the area when brushed against.
What Plants Should You Not Plant With Geraniums (And Why)
While geraniums get along with most garden plants, there are a few that just don’t play nice. Usually, it comes down to competing needs for water, shade, or soil type.
Avoid pairing geraniums with:
- Impatiens – They prefer shady, moist conditions, which make geraniums struggle.
- Ferns – Need constant dampness and low light, opposite of geraniums’ needs.
- Hostas – Thrive in shade and heavy soil, while geraniums love dry, airy spots.
- Begonias – Similar color palette but totally different watering preferences.
- Hydrangeas – Their large leaves create too much shade for geraniums to thrive.
The science behind it:
Geranium roots prefer fast-draining, lightly acidic soil. When planted near shade-loving or moisture-dependent plants, they end up competing for the wrong conditions—too much moisture can cause stem rot or fungal problems.
If you’re planting a mixed bed, keep geraniums in their own sunny zone or use planter dividers or raised garden boxes to separate watering routines. This small tweak keeps everything thriving in its ideal microclimate.
22 Geranium Planter Ideas
Here are 22 geranium planter ideas that I’ve seen, tried or totally fallen for. With DIY planter ideas or twists on regular planters, these geranium planter ideas will hopefully give you some inspo on how to plant your next geranium!
1 | The Vintage Tin Can Planter
Credit:https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/0c/f2/0a/0cf20a2415e4f28e3dcbb10884733371.jpg
Old Cans make great planters, especially if you have limited space! You can drill some holes in the bottom, line with gravel and add some soil! These create cute mini geranium planters!
For an extra cute DIY step you can paint them different colors, like the ones above.
If you don’t have old tin cans lying around then you can find vintage-style tin containers here.
2 | The Broken Teapot Rescue
Credit: Pinterest
My friend Sara has a thing for rescuing cracked teapots from thrift stores.
She plants pink geraniums in them and sets them all over her porch steps. She once told me, “If it can hold dirt, it’s a planter.”
If you don’t have one handy, these vintage floral teapots sets are perfect for doubling as planters.
Tip: I tried it once and learned that teapots need good drainage, so fill the bottom with some gravel first!
3 | The Terracotta Tower
My mom used to make these “geranium towers” every summer.
She’d stack pots of descending sizes, fill each with potting mix, and angle them slightly so the flowers cascaded in all directions. The idea above from ohndeeremom.blogspot.com is a perfect example of how to do this.
The key is sturdy rebar through the center to keep it balanced. It’s tall, dramatic, and looks like something out of a cottage garden photo shoot.
I found terracotta pot sets like this that work perfectly for stacking projects.
4 | Rustic Wooden Crate Planter
I saw an drinks crate turned into a geranium planter by a roadside farm stand. It had ‘Gold Road Beverages’ stamped on the side, faded from the sun.
Inside were bright red geraniums mixed with white florals.
You can easily recreate it – just line the crate with landscape fabric and fill it with potting soil.
Perfect for patios or window ledges. You can find vintage fruit crates that give that same rustic charm instantly.
5 | The Hanging Basket Makeover
I had one of those sad hanging baskets that looked like straw by July. One year, I replanted it with trailing geraniums and creeping jenny, and it changed everything.
The color, the movement, the bees – it became my favorite spot on the balcony.
The secret? Use a slow-release fertilizer and water every two days during heatwaves.
If your old basket’s worn out, there are woven hanging baskets that look natural but last much longer outdoors.
6 | Painted Tin Buckets
My friend Tara found three old tin buckets at a car boot sale and painted them pastel pink, mint, and cream.
She filled them with red and salmon geraniums, and the colors clashed just enough to look intentional.
The pastel tones made the flowers look even brighter.
If you try it, seal the paint with a clear outdoor spray to stop rusting. These metal bucket planters are a fun blank canvas for DIY color projects.
7 | The Herb + Geranium Combo
I once planted lemon thyme and red geraniums together in a deep clay bowl just to see what would happen. The geraniums grew upright while the thyme trailed beautifully.
If you cook often, this is a perfect duo.
Both love sun and dry soil, so they’re easy to care for. A wide shallow planter bowl works best to give each plant room to spread.
8 | Upcycled Drawer Planter
Credit: https://pin.it/4u4BqMwjF
I saw this at a roadside antique shop – someone had taken an old dresser drawer, painted it turquoise, and planted bright pink geraniums inside.
The paint was chipped but it added to the whole rustic charm. If you try it, drill holes in the bottom and prop it up slightly so it drains.
Add trailing lobelia or bacopa for a softer edge.
9 | Geraniums On Balconies
Window boxes are great if you don’t have much outdoor space!
If you’ve got a bright balcony, try geraniums and dusty miller. The silver leaves made the red petals look almost neon. This combo loves heat and full sun!
Try a self-watering window box if you forget to water like I do.
10 | My Friend’s Cement Pot Fail (That Worked)
My friend Mark poured his own cement pots from leftover mix after a garden project.
They were rough and uneven, and he hated them.
I told him to plant pink geraniums in them anyway. They looked incredible – the smooth petals softened all that gray texture.
Sometimes ugly containers make the best backdrops.
You can skip the DIY mess with modern cement planters that give the same look or even use an old cinder block!
11 | The Window Frame Planter
I saw this outside a cottage in Kerry – a wooden window frame nailed to a fence with small galvanized tubs hanging from the bottom crossbar.
Each tub had a single geranium bloom. It looked like living wall art. You can replicate this by hanging metal planters or repurposed paint tins with rope.
Choose mixed colors for a casual, happy look. Galvanized wall planters work beautifully for this project.
12 | My Mom’s Laundry Basket Trick
My mom used to repurpose old wicker laundry baskets as planters after they’d lost their handles.
She’d line them with burlap, fill them with soil, and tuck red geraniums around the edges.
It looked rustic and sweet sitting by the back door.
The key is to line it well so it holds its shape when wet.
She’d always say, “The more lived-in, the better it looks.” I found a wicker planter basket that gives the same old-fashioned look without falling apart.
13 | The Tiered Cake Stand Planter
I saw a roadside stand using a tiered metal cake stand to display mini geraniums in teacups.
It was so charming it almost didn’t look real.
The mix of bright blooms and chipped china made it feel like a fairy garden centerpiece.
You could easily recreate it for an outdoor tea party vibe.
Just remember to drill small drainage holes in the cups. Tiered stands like this make it easy to recreate that layered look.
14 | Cast Iron Bathtub Planter
Yes, really – a full cast iron bathtub in her backyard.
She filled it with red, pink, and salmon geraniums, and it’s honestly stunning.
It’s dramatic in the best way. She drilled holes in the base for drainage and lined it with gravel before adding soil.
It’s proof that big planters don’t need to be serious to look amazing.
For a smaller version, try vintage-style trough planters that give the same cottage feel.
15 | The Old Ladder Display
I saw a weathered wooden ladder propped against a barn, each rung holding a terracotta pot of geraniums.
This setup works perfectly in tight spaces.
You can copy it easily – just secure each pot with wire or brackets so it doesn’t slip.
The vertical height makes even small patios look lush. Look for a folding display ladder if you don’t have an old one lying around.
16 | The Galvanized Tub Garden
My mom used to keep a big galvanized tub by the kitchen door filled with geraniums and white bacopa.
It lasted all summer long.
She swore by adding a scoop of perlite for drainage and topping with light mulch.
That tub looked better every year as it aged and rusted slightly.
It’s still my favorite nostalgic planter look. You can find galvanized tubs with handles that are perfect for recreating it.
17 | My Mini Basket Centerpiece
One summer I made a tiny tabletop planter with a wicker basket, pink geraniums, and creeping thyme.
I left it on the patio table, and it instantly made breakfast outside feel fancier.
The basket started to sag halfway through the season, but honestly, that made it cuter.
If you try it, tuck in a small waterproof liner to make it last longer. Mini woven baskets are perfect for centerpieces like this.
18 | The Painted Clay Pot Duo
I saw this one at a craft market – two clay pots painted half white, half terracotta with a crisp line between.
Each had a single red geranium and looked incredibly chic.
You can easily recreate it with tape, outdoor paint, and a steady hand. Sometimes simple pots highlight flowers best.
You can find two-tone terracotta pots ready-made if painting isn’t your thing.
19 | My Friend’s Windowsill Trio
My friend Lucy grows geraniums indoors on her kitchen windowsill, and it smells incredible when the sun hits them.
She keeps them in mismatched ceramic mugs she found secondhand.
The drainage isn’t perfect, but she adds a layer of gravel at the bottom. It’s cozy, colorful, and makes washing dishes more tolerable.
If you want a tidier version, ceramic mug planters with drainage holes already built in are perfect.
20 | The Wheelbarrow Planter
I saw an old wooden wheelbarrow filled with geraniums, marigolds, and lavender by the roadside in County Clare.
It was bursting with color and scent. This works best with a mix of heights and colors – add trailing plants for flow.
You can normally find old wheelbarrows at country fairs or country thrift stores.
21 | The Basket-on-a-Bike Idea
Credit: https://pin.it/4Dt1TxDz5
I saw this in online where someone had filled the front basket of an old bicycle with different florals.
You could do the same with an old bike frame in the garden for that vintage charm.
If you don’t have one, look for decorative bike planters made for gardens.
22 | My Clay Chimney Planter
I had an old clay chimney pot left behind when I moved into my place.
I almost threw it out, but instead, I filled it with deep red geraniums and a little creeping jenny at the edges.
It’s now my favorite planter in the garden.
The height gives it drama, and the earthy clay tones make the blooms look brighter.
Sometimes, it’s the forgotten objects that end up looking the most intentional.
