Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) in Zone 9a & 9b
Pelargonium hortorum
Yes, annual geranium (pelargonium) grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Dec 14–Dec 21 and plant out Feb 22–Mar 1.
When to plant annual geranium (pelargonium) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Dec 14–Dec 21 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 22–Mar 1 |
| Estimated bloom | May 23–May 30 (~90 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of annual geranium (pelargonium) in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumFeb 22–Mar 1
- MarigoldFeb 22–Mar 1
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Feb 22–Mar 1
- AmaryllisFeb 22–Mar 1
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Feb 22–Mar 1
- Calla LilyFeb 22–Mar 1
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Annual geranium (pelargonium) needs about 90 days from transplant to first bloom.
Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 30–Jul 7 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | 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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Annual Geranium (Pelargonium) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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