Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) in Zone 10a & 10b
Pelargonium hortorum
When to plant annual geranium (pelargonium) in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Nov 28–Dec 5 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 6–Feb 13 |
| Estimated bloom | May 7–May 14 (~90 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.

Annual geranium is the classic bedding and container plant most gardeners know from nursery six-packs, but it's grown here from seed instead, which means starting well ahead of the season rather than buying an already-blooming plant.
How annual geranium (pelargonium) fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) needs about 90 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Annual Geranium (Pelargonium).
Where to buy annual geranium seeds
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing annual geranium (pelargonium)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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