Geraniums are flowering plants that can add a pop of color to any garden to make it look more vibrant and lively. But did you know that geraniums are also great companion plants?
The fragrant flowers of geraniums attract lots of pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden, in addition to deterring pests like spider mites, worms, and beetles. This can promote better growth and development of all plants nearby.
Let’s take a look at some plants that grow well with geraniums.
1. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are flowering plants that combine perfectly with geraniums. Not only do they produce beautiful flowers that smell amazing, but they also have similar growing requirements, which makes them ideal companions.
In addition, nasturtiums can deter critters that like to munch on geraniums.
Make sure to plant them in a place where they can receive at least 6 hours of daily sunlight. Blooming is reduced if the plant grows in shade. Nasturtiums need well-draining soil and watering when the topsoil dries.
2. Catnip
While cats adore the unique fragrance of catnip, many critters that usually come for geraniums absolutely despise it. Catnip is typically planted in gardens to repel pests such as aphids, beetles, and many more!
It should be handled with care as it can get invasive. To prevent catnip from getting invasive, you can remove the flowers before they produce seeds. You can also grow them in containers or plant some companions nearby.
Catnip is relatively easy to grow. It can grow in good soil or bad soil and also in full sun or partial shade. To prevent the plants from growing too tall and keep them compact and bushy, you might want to pinch them back.
3. Chives
Chives have a unique odor that can keep critters such as carrot flies away from geraniums. They can also attract beneficial pollinators like butterflies and honey bees that can cross-pollinate and lead to more blooming.
These plants attract ladybugs, which feed on aphids so you don’t have to worry about these pesky pests as well. In addition, their strong fragrance keeps critters like beetles away.
As well as their great companion properties, these plants are also known for their easy plant care. Chives can thrive in almost any soil type, and they just need a little bit of sunshine and water to grow well.
You can start the seeds indoors and then transplant them, or you can buy pre-potted chives from a garden center.
4. Marigolds
Just like nasturtiums, marigolds are also flowering plants that combine perfectly with one another to create lovely scenery. Still, there’s more to it besides pretty scenery.
Marigolds can also deter slugs that love munching on geranium leaves. They can also repel mosquitoes to help you have a more enjoyable time in the garden.
Marigolds can grow fine in both full sun and partial shade. They don’t have any soil preferences, though they require good drainage. You can grow them from seeds or buy potted plants from a nursery.
5. Alliums
Alliums have a pungent smell, so you might be wondering if they mix well with the citrusy aroma of geraniums – well, it seems as though they mix perfectly!
Pests like aphids don’t mind the strong fragrance of alliums, which is why they often infest these plants. However, if you grow them close to geraniums, their fragrant flowers will keep them at bay. In addition, alliums will deter rabbits that would otherwise munch on those pretty flowers.
When it comes to plant care, you should know that alliums require direct sunlight. If they grow in shady areas, they will get crooked. They grow best in well-draining soil. Infrequent watering is required as these plants are drought tolerant.
Other Plants That Grow Well With Geraniums
The plants mentioned above thrive next to geraniums, but there are many others that can be grown alongside these exotic flowers, including:
• Creeping Jenny
• Angelonia
• Asparagus fern
• Spider plants
• Wave petunias
• Celery
• Ivy
• Canna
• Sage
• Corn
• Tomato
• Verbena
• Blue daze
• Basil
• Chrysanthemums
• Cabbage
• Coleus
• Celosia
• Sweet potato vine
I hope you enjoyed reading this article about geranium companion plants as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Until next time!