Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Move the plant to a brighter location.
- Check the fertilizer label for the NPK ratio.
- Deadhead old blooms to encourage new growth.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant looks tall and stretched out with large gaps between the leaves.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot where it receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you are growing indoors, a south facing window is usually best.
Too much nitrogen
PossibleHow to tell: The plant has lush, dark green foliage but absolutely no flower buds.
What to do: Switch to a fertilizer labeled for blooming plants that is higher in phosphorus and lower in nitrogen. Apply it every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season.
Find out what's wrong with your geranium
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
If you have provided full sun and proper food for several weeks without results, the plant might be too young or stressed. It is normal for geraniums to take a break from blooming during the heat of midsummer.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your geranium in a sunny spot and remove faded flowers regularly to signal the plant to put energy into new buds.
Geranium: not flowering? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your geranium and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Do geraniums need darkness to bloom?
- No, they are sun lovers. They need as much direct light as you can give them to produce flowers.
- How long does it take for a new bud to open?
- Once the plant is happy and healthy, you should see buds develop and open within 2 to 3 weeks.
More problems with Geranium
- Why are my geranium's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my geranium growing so leggy?
- How do I get rid of pests on my geranium?
- Why is my geranium drooping?
- Why are there spots on my geranium leaves?
- Why is my geranium's stem turning black and mushy?
- Why are my geranium's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my geranium losing its leaves?
- Why are my geranium leaves curling?
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.