Lemon Geranium Plant Care

While lemon geranium (Pelargonium crispum) is an attractive, upright plant with curly leaves and lavender blooms, lemon geranium is valued primarily for the lemony scent that is present all year round. Lemon geranium is perennial in climates with frost-free winters, but in cooler climates, the plant is moved indoors in autumn.

Growing Conditions

Lemon geranium needs full sunlight and thrives in relatively cool daytime temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees cooler during the night. In climates with warm, non-freezing winters, plant lemon geranium in any well-drained soil. In cooler climates, plant lemon geranium in a container with a drainage hole so the plant can be moved indoors in autumn. Fill the container with good quality, well-drained commercial potting mix.

Water and Fertilizer

Lemon geranium is particular about water, as the plant rots in soggy soil and doesn't thrive in overly dry soil. Watering in-ground or potted lemon geranium is similar, as the plant needs generous watering, but only when the top of the potting mix or garden soil feels dry. Water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent fungal problems. Water in-ground plants thoroughly to wet the root zone. Water potted lemon geranium until water drips through the drainage hole, then allow the potting mixture to drain. Feed lemon geranium a balanced liquid or granular fertilizer regularly. Apply fertilizer according to the directions on the package.

Maintenance

Snipping the growing tips of a young lemon geranium plant forces to plant to branch out and create a full, bushy plant. Continue to snip or pinch the growing tips on new shoots until the plant reaches the desired fullness. Prune lemon geranium as needed to maintain an attractive shape, as the plant becomes spindly without an occasional trim.

Growing Indoors

Bring lemon geranium indoors when nighttime temperatures drop to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Don't wait until nighttime temperatures are near freezing, as the sudden change from cold outdoor temperatures to warm indoor temperatures shocks the plant. Move the plant to a bright spot with at least four to six hours of daily sunlight. Withhold fertilizer during fall and winter. Continue to water, but water sparingly during the winter months. Provide just enough water to keep the soil slightly moist.

Using Lemon Geranium

The lemony aroma of lemon geranium is release any time you crush a leaf between your fingers. Remove a few leaves as often as needed to scent crafts or potpourris. Add the lemon flavored leaves to tea, flavored vinegar, fruit jelly, punch, or cakes, pies and other desserts. A sprig of lemon geranium leaf in an ice cube tray makes a refreshing addition to ice team or lemonade.

References

• Colorado State University Extension; Gorgeous Geraniums; Margaret Wolf; July 2008
• North Carolina State University Extension; Geranium Culture for Home Gardeners; Alice B. Russell; December 1997
• Sara's Superb Herbs: Scented Geraniums
• Fine Gardening: Pelargonium Crispum 'Variegatum'
• University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program; Geranium Culture; Charles T. Behnke