Sticky Geranium Care: Everything You Need To Know About This Wild And Wonderful Plant

Introducing native wildflowers in the home landscape has many benefits. One example is the sticky purple geranium, (Geranium viscosissimum), a pretty wildflower that’s praised for its carefree growth habit and strong appeal to pollinators. While this geranium species is most commonly found growing in woodlands and meadows, it is equally at home in containers and cultivated flower beds.

Sticky Geranium Uses

Throughout the growing season, the sticky geranium’s pink flowers rise above the plant’s mounded foliage on tall stems. Blooms continue throughout the warmer months, making this geranium an ideal addition to mixed borders and naturalized wildflower patches. Though sticky geranium plants are an easy-to-grow option for the garden, be sure to consider these several details regarding their care.

Sticky Geranium Care

Sticky geranium plants are most commonly grown from seed. Before planting, each seed needs to be scarified and soaked in clean water for approximately 12-24 hours. Seeds can then be sown into trays that have been filled with a soilless potting or seed starting mix.

Established geranium plants are highly adaptable, and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. Provided that the beds drain well, these flowers can thrive in clay, sand, and soils with poor fertility. Though it is not required, established plants may benefit from routine deadheading of flowers throughout the season to promote the formation of new flower buds.

Size & Growth Rate

Geranium viscosissimum plants grow quickly. As perennials, these plants will return seasonally, but many gardeners outside of their native range choose to grow it as an annual. Planting annually may also help control its spread within flower beds. Sticky geranium is known to reseed generously in the garden. Fortunately, these seedlings are easy to manage and do not pose a threat to other established plants. Generally, sticky geranium plants are not considered to be an invasive species.

Water Needs

Sticky geraniums are good candidates for waterwise landscapes, as they can withstand extended periods of drought. However, occasional watering may still be needed in the home garden. This is especially true of plants grown in full sun, and geraniums grown in containers are likely to dry out much more quickly, requiring water on a weekly or biweekly basis.

Problems, Pests, & Diseases

Like many native plants, a sticky geranium seldom has issues with pests or disease. As their name would imply, these plants do have a pronounced “sticky” characteristic. Though this substance can sometimes trap small insects, it generally does not affect larger pollinators in any way. It’s a natural attribute of the plant and should not cause concern. Overwatering is among the most common causes of decline in plant health. Excess water may lead to yellowing and the development of more serious diseases like root rot and powdery mildew.

More Pollination Inspiration

• Explore flower seeds to start in March to ensure a lovely selection for you and for your local pollinators this summer!
• Shop for more beautiful purple pollinator plants like blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) in the Gardening Know How Shop.
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