What Not to Plant with Geraniums: A Guide to Avoiding Conflicting Plants

What Not to Plant With Geraniums

Geraniums are a popular choice for gardeners, thanks to their colorful flowers, low maintenance, and ability to tolerate a variety of conditions. However, there are a few plants that should not be planted near geraniums, as they can compete for nutrients, water, and sunlight, or they can attract pests that can damage geraniums.

In this article, we will discuss what not to plant with geraniums, and why it is important to avoid these plants. We will also provide some tips on how to create a successful geranium garden.

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Plant	Reason	Alternative
Hollyhocks	Compete for nutrients and water	Petunias, marigolds, or impatiens
Basil	Geraniol in geraniums can stunt basil growth	Rosemary, thyme, or oregano
Marigolds	Attract aphids, which can also damage geraniums	Petunias, impatiens, or begonias

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Plants That Compete for Water and Nutrients

When planting geraniums, it is important to avoid planting them with other plants that compete for water and nutrients. This can lead to both plants being stunted in growth and not thriving. Some of the most common plants that compete with geraniums for water and nutrients include:

• Marigolds
• Petunias
• Snapdragons
• Begonias
• Impatiens

These plants all require a lot of water and nutrients to grow, and if they are planted too close together, they will compete with the geraniums for these resources. This can lead to the geraniums not getting enough water and nutrients, which can stunt their growth and make them more susceptible to pests and diseases.

If you want to plant geraniums with other plants, it is important to choose plants that have similar water and nutrient requirements. This will help to ensure that both plants get the resources they need to thrive. Some good companion plants for geraniums include:

• Lavender
• Salvia
• Catmint
• Yarrow
• Aster

These plants all require a moderate amount of water and nutrients, and they will not compete with the geraniums for these resources. This will help to ensure that both plants grow well and thrive.

Plants That Attract Pests or Diseases

In addition to competing for water and nutrients, some plants can also attract pests or diseases that can harm geraniums. Some of the most common plants that attract pests or diseases include:

• Marigolds
• Petunias
• Snapdragons
• Begonias
• Impatiens

These plants all attract a variety of pests, including aphids, mites, and whiteflies. These pests can feed on the leaves and stems of geraniums, causing them to wilt and die. They can also transmit diseases to geraniums, which can further weaken the plants.

If you want to plant geraniums with other plants, it is important to avoid planting them with plants that attract pests or diseases. This will help to protect the geraniums from being harmed. Some good companion plants for geraniums include:

• Lavender
• Salvia
• Catmint
• Yarrow
• Aster

These plants do not attract pests or diseases, and they will not harm the geraniums. This will help to ensure that both plants grow well and thrive.

it is important to avoid planting geraniums with other plants that compete for water and nutrients or attract pests or diseases. This will help to ensure that the geraniums get the resources they need to thrive, and it will also protect them from being harmed by pests or diseases.

Plants That Require Different Soil Conditions

When choosing plants to grow with geraniums, it is important to consider their soil requirements. Geraniums prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They can tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels, but they do best in slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5).

Some plants that require different soil conditions than geraniums include:

• Azaleas and rhododendrons prefer acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.0).
• Camellias prefer acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5).
• Hollyhocks prefer alkaline soil (pH 7.0-7.5).
• Peonies prefer neutral soil (pH 6.5-7.0).
• Roses prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They can tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels, but they do best in slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5).

If you are unsure of the soil conditions in your garden, it is a good idea to have a soil test done before planting. This will help you to choose plants that will thrive in your soil.

Plants That Have Different Growth Habits

In addition to considering their soil requirements, it is also important to consider the growth habits of plants when choosing plants to grow with geraniums. Geraniums are relatively low-growing plants, and they typically reach a height of 1-2 feet. They can be mounding, spreading, or upright in growth habit.

Some plants that have different growth habits than geraniums include:

• Azaleas and rhododendrons are both upright, bushy plants that can reach a height of 4-6 feet.
• Camellias are also upright, bushy plants that can reach a height of 4-6 feet.
• Hollyhocks are tall, upright plants that can reach a height of 6-8 feet.
• Peonies are mounding plants that can reach a height of 2-3 feet.
• Roses can be bushy, climbing, or rambling in growth habit. They can reach a height of 4-6 feet, or they can climb up to 10 feet or more.

When choosing plants to grow with geraniums, it is important to make sure that they have similar growth habits. This will help to create a balanced and harmonious garden.

When choosing plants to grow with geraniums, it is important to consider their soil requirements and growth habits. By matching plants with similar needs, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden.

What Not To Plant With Geraniums?

• Q: Can I plant geraniums with other plants?

A: Yes, geraniums can be planted with a variety of other plants, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

• First, make sure that the other plants have similar water and sunlight requirements. Geraniums are drought-tolerant plants that prefer full sun, so you’ll want to choose other plants that can tolerate similar conditions.
• Second, consider the size of the other plants. Geraniums can grow to be quite large, so you’ll want to make sure that there is enough space for them to grow without crowding out the other plants.
• Finally, take into account the color and shape of the other plants. Geraniums come in a variety of colors and shapes, so you can choose other plants that will complement their appearance.

Here are a few specific plants that can be planted with geraniums:

• Alyssum
• Begonias
• Calendula
• Cosmos
• Lavender
• Petunias
• Snapdragons
• Verbena

• Q: What plants should I avoid planting with geraniums?

A: There are a few plants that you should avoid planting with geraniums, as they can compete for resources or be susceptible to the same pests and diseases.

• First, avoid planting geraniums with other plants that have similar water and sunlight requirements. This can lead to competition for resources, which can stress the plants and make them more susceptible to pests and diseases.
• Second, avoid planting geraniums with plants that are susceptible to the same pests and diseases. This can increase the risk of the plants becoming infected.

Here are a few specific plants that you should avoid planting with geraniums:

• Marigolds
• Petunias
• Snapdragons
• Verbena
• Zinnias

• Q: What are some other tips for planting geraniums with other plants?

A: Here are a few other tips for planting geraniums with other plants:

• Plant geraniums in a location that receives full sun. This will help them to thrive and produce more flowers.
• Water geraniums regularly, but do not overwater them. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
• Fertilize geraniums monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer. This will help them to grow strong and healthy.
• Prune geraniums regularly to remove dead or damaged leaves and flowers. This will help to keep the plants looking their best.

By following these tips, you can successfully plant geraniums with other plants and create a beautiful and colorful garden.

there are a few plants that should not be planted with geraniums. These include:

• Marigolds: Marigolds produce a chemical called thiophene, which can stunt the growth of geraniums.
• Petunias: Petunias are susceptible to the same diseases as geraniums, so planting them together can increase the risk of infection.
• Rosemary: Rosemary is a Mediterranean plant that prefers dry, sunny conditions, while geraniums prefer moist, shady conditions.
• Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemums are susceptible to the same diseases as geraniums, so planting them together can increase the risk of infection.

By avoiding these plants, you can help your geraniums thrive.