Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) in Zone 8a & 8b
Pelargonium hortorum
Yes, annual geranium (pelargonium) grows in zones 8a and 8b. Start seeds indoors Jan 21–Jan 28 and plant out Apr 1–Apr 8.
When to plant annual geranium (pelargonium) in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Jan 21–Jan 28 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Jun 30–Jul 7 (~90 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of annual geranium (pelargonium) in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumApr 1–Apr 8
- MarigoldApr 1–Apr 8
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Apr 1–Apr 8
- AmaryllisApr 1–Apr 8
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Apr 1–Apr 8
- Calla LilyApr 1–Apr 8
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 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Annual geranium (pelargonium) needs about 90 days from transplant to first bloom.
Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Mar 18–Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | Aug 25–Sep 1 |
| 3a & 3b | Mar 28–Apr 4 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Sep 4–Sep 11 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 13–Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | Aug 20–Aug 27 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 8–Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | Aug 15–Aug 22 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 21–Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | Jul 31–Aug 7 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 16–Jul 23 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Jan 21–Jan 28 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 30–Jul 7 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 14–Dec 21 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 23–May 30 |
| 10a & 10b | Nov 28–Dec 5 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | May 7–May 14 |
| 11a & 11b | Oct 30–Nov 6 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | Apr 8–Apr 15 |
Bloom dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for annual geranium (pelargonium).
Where to buy annual geranium seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries annual geranium seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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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 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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