Martha Washington Geraniums, also called Regal Geraniums or Pansy Geraniums, are a collection of geraniums grown from cuttings that is an older, heirloom geranium that originated in South Africa. They are named after the wife of President George Washington and were very popular in the early 1900s. The most alluring feature is their unique, velvety, bi-colored and ruffled flowers. They bloom in the red, pink, violet, and white color spectrum. Many have white accents, either at the petal edges or in the center. Some bi-color varieties have accents in a lighter or darker tone.
Martha Washington geraniums are favorites for spring container plantings, window boxes and hanging baskets (containers should have plenty of drainage holes). They actually bloom a little better when slightly root-bound, so a smallish pot is fine for these plants. They also work well as annual bedding plants or as an indoor plant in a bright room. They prefer cooler temperatures and may stop blooming in hot, humid summer months when growing outdoors.
If growing indoors, place the Martha Washington geranium in moderate light. A spot a few feet away from a well-lit window, or near a window shaded with a sheer curtain, is best. Avoid hot, direct sunlight, which will fade the petals. If growing outdoors, place the plant where it will be exposed to bright morning sun, but protected from hot afternoon sun.
Martha Washington geraniums prefer rich but well-drained soil that is slightly acidic – 5.8 to 6.5. When growing in containers, use a well-draining general-purpose potting soil, not garden soil. They prefer moist but not wet soil. Check the soil regularly and water thoroughly when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Avoid over-watering, as the plant may rot. Also, water at the base of the plant and try not to splash the foliage to reduce chances of fungus issues. Fertilize every two to four weeks during the growing season using a low-nitrogen fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio such as 4-8-10. Alternatively, use a product formulated for blooming plants.
Martha Washington geraniums are warm-region plants that dislike cold temperatures. They thrive at the same temperatures preferred by humans – 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Prolonged temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit will stunt these plants, and temperatures at the freezing point usually kill them. It may be possible to overwinter regal geraniums as far north as zone 7 if you cover them heavily in the winter, but it is generally best to grow them as annuals. If they are in containers, keep them indoors as houseplants to brighten up your windows in the winter. They’ll thrive in bright light with regular watering until they can go back outdoors in the spring.
Pest that may be problematic for a Martha Washington geranium are whiteflies and aphids. Use Insecticidal soap, then a gentle rinse of water applied after the soap has dried, is an effective treatment for these pests. Webs or parched leaves are signs of spider mites. Treat for these as soon as possible. Isolate affected plants from any others, and apply a 1 percent solution of neem oil spray, soaking the plant and the soil. In very warm, humid weather, they can be very susceptible to leaf spots and gray mold. These fungal problems can be combated by pruning the plant to improve air circulation or using copper-soap fungicides. Make sure to water slowly at the soil level and avoid splashing soil onto the leaves.
How To Make Your Potted Martha Washington Geranium Re-Bloom: In summer, after flowering stops, cut plant back to 4-inch stems. Repot your plant just to give it fresh soil. Since they like to be slightly pot-bound, you may be able keep it in the same pot. Make sure the container has drainage holes since they don’t to have like their feet wet. Allow the plant to rest for the summer. Water sparingly and stop fertilizing during this rest. Keep it in indirect light. After the rest, give your Martha Washington geranium 2 months of cool temperatures to set flower buds. For the “cooling off” period, move your plant to a cool basement or garage, where it will get plenty of indirect light. Resume normal watering and fertilizing during this cool treatment. After following the steps above, you should see flower buds midwinter, and enjoy beautiful blooms in February or March.
You may also be able to store the plants in their dormant state by following these steps: Take the plants from the ground or containers in the fall before the first frost. Shake the soil from their bare roots. Gently put the plants in a large paper bag. Store the geraniums in a dark, cool location that stays consistently around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for the winter. In March, remove the dead stem tips by cutting until you reach firm, green stem. Plant them in containers. Place the containers in a sunny window and water as needed. Plant them outside after the threat of frost has passed.
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