Geraniums, primarily Pelargonium species from South Africa, are adored for their vibrant, long-lasting blooms in red, pink, white, and yellow hues. Often mistaken for true Geranium cranesbills, Pelargoniums feature rounded, sometimes fragrant leaves and clustered flowers on slender stems. These versatile plants brighten gardens, containers, and indoor spaces with their cheerful presence.
Growing 6-24 inches tall, geraniums thrive in full sun with well-drained soil, blooming from spring to frost in zones 9-12. Their heat and drought tolerance makes them perfect for low-maintenance landscapes, hanging baskets, or xeriscaping. Trailing varieties cascade elegantly, while upright types excel in beds or pots.
As pollinator magnets, geraniums attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, boosting garden ecosystems. Deer- and rabbit-resistant, they’re ideal for areas with wildlife. Compact varieties thrive indoors with bright light, adding year-round color to homes or patios, especially in cooler climates.
Care involves weekly watering, allowing soil to dry between sessions, and monthly fertilization with a 10-10-10 mix to promote blooms. Deadheading encourages continuous flowering, and pruning keeps plants tidy. In colder zones, they’re grown as annuals or overwintered indoors to protect from frost.
Pests like aphids and issues like root rot can occur, but neem oil and proper drainage help. Their resilience suits beginners, and resources like Costa Farms or the Royal Horticultural Society offer tips to ensure these vibrant plants thrive, creating stunning, pollinator-friendly displays.
Yellow Geranium Varieties
Moonlight Lemon Fancy (Pelargonium x hortorum)
Moonlight Lemon Fancy, a zonal geranium, grows 12-18 inches tall and wide, showcasing clusters of soft yellow, semi-double flowers with a faint lemony hue against dark green, scalloped leaves with subtle zoning. Its compact, upright form is perfect for containers, window boxes, or garden borders, blooming from late spring to frost in zones 10-11 or as an annual elsewhere.
Thriving in full sun (6-8 hours daily) with well-draining soil, it’s heat-tolerant and requires weekly watering, allowing soil to dry between sessions, and biweekly fertilization with a 10-10-10 mix. Deadheading promotes continuous blooms, and its pest resistance suits novice gardeners. Its delicate yellow flowers pair beautifully with purples or blues, creating vibrant contrasts in mixed plantings, though it needs protection from overwatering to prevent root rot.
First Yellow (Pelargonium x hortorum)
First Yellow, a breakthrough zonal geranium, reaches 12-15 inches tall and wide, boasting bright, true yellow single flowers—a rare hue for geraniums—set against lush, medium-green foliage. Introduced for its vibrant color, it’s ideal for pots, borders, or mass plantings, blooming prolifically from spring to fall in zones 10-11.
Requiring full sun and well-drained soil, it tolerates drought and heat, needing weekly watering and monthly fertilization (5-10-5). Pest- and deer-resistant, it’s low-maintenance but benefits from deadheading to sustain flowering. Its sunny blooms attract butterflies, enhancing pollinator gardens, and shine in patio containers, though it may fade slightly in extreme heat, requiring afternoon shade in hot climates.
Calliope Yellow Splash (Pelargonium Interspecific)
Calliope Yellow Splash, an interspecific hybrid blending zonal and ivy geranium traits, grows 14-16 inches tall with a 20-24-inch spread, featuring semi-double, pale yellow flowers with pinkish-red splashes for a bicolor effect. Its mounding, slightly trailing habit excels in hanging baskets, raised beds, or as a bedding plant, blooming from late spring to frost in zones 9-11.
Thriving in full sun to part shade with well-draining soil, it’s heat- and drought-tolerant, requiring weekly watering and biweekly fertilization (10-10-10). Its pest resistance and self-cleaning nature reduce maintenance, making it ideal for busy gardeners. The unique coloration adds flair to tropical or cottage gardens, though it needs good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
Cascade Yellow (Pelargonium peltatum)
Cascade Yellow, an ivy-leaved geranium, grows 12-14 inches tall with a 20-24-inch spread, displaying soft yellow, single flowers atop glossy, ivy-like leaves that cascade gracefully. Perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, or over retaining walls, it blooms from spring to fall in zones 9-11, creating a waterfall of color.
Requiring full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, it’s drought-tolerant and needs watering when soil dries, with monthly fertilization (5-10-5). Pest- and deer-resistant, it’s low-maintenance but benefits from occasional trimming to maintain shape. Its trailing habit attracts hummingbirds, ideal for vertical gardening, though it’s sensitive to overwatering, which can cause root rot.
Maverick Yellow (Pelargonium x hortorum)
Maverick Yellow, a compact zonal geranium, reaches 14-16 inches tall and wide, with large, golden-yellow single-flower clusters contrasting against dark green, zoned foliage. Its uniform growth suits containers, garden beds, or window boxes, blooming from late spring to frost in zones 10-11.
Thriving in full sun with well-draining soil, it’s heat-tolerant and requires weekly watering and biweekly fertilization (10-10-10). Deadheading encourages new blooms, and its resistance to aphids makes it beginner-friendly. Its radiant flowers pair well with reds or whites for bold displays, attracting bees, though it may require staking in windy conditions to support its upright stems.
Lemon Fizz (Pelargonium crispum)
Lemon Fizz, a scented-leaf geranium, grows 18-24 inches tall and wide, featuring small, pale yellow flowers and crinkled, lemon-scented leaves that release a citrusy aroma when brushed. Grown primarily for its fragrant foliage, it’s ideal for containers, patios, or herb gardens, blooming sporadically in zones 9-11.
Requiring full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, it’s drought-tolerant and needs weekly watering, with monthly fertilization (8-8-8). Pest-resistant and mosquito-repellent, it’s low-maintenance but produces fewer flowers than zonal types. Its aromatic leaves enhance culinary dishes or potpourri, adding sensory appeal, though it needs protection from frost in cooler climates.
Gold Strike (Pelargonium peltatum)
Gold Strike, an ivy-leaved geranium, grows 12-18 inches tall with a 24-30-inch spread, showcasing bright yellow, semi-double flowers against glossy, ivy-shaped leaves. Its trailing habit is perfect for hanging baskets, raised planters, or as a ground cover, blooming from spring to fall in zones 9-11.
Thriving in full sun with well-draining soil, it tolerates heat and drought, requiring weekly watering and monthly fertilization (5-10-5). Self-cleaning and pest-resistant, it’s low-maintenance, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Its golden blooms create stunning spills in vertical displays, though it may need occasional pruning to prevent legginess in shaded areas.
Fancy Leaf Golden Anniversary (Pelargonium x hortorum)
Fancy Leaf Golden Anniversary, a zonal geranium, grows 12-15 inches tall and wide, with pale yellow flowers complemented by striking, variegated foliage in chartreuse and green. Its compact form suits containers, borders, or mixed plantings, blooming from late spring to frost in zones 10-11. Requiring full sun and well-drained soil, it’s heat-tolerant and needs weekly watering, with biweekly fertilization (10-10-10).
Deadheading boosts blooms, and its pest resistance ensures easy care. The vibrant foliage adds year-round interest, making it a focal point in gardens, though it’s prone to leaf burn in extreme sun without afternoon shade.
Citronella (Pelargonium ‘Citrosa’)
Citronella, a scented-leaf geranium, reaches 18-24 inches tall and wide, with small, light yellow flowers and deeply lobed, lemon-citrus-scented leaves marketed as mosquito repellents. Ideal for containers, patios, or garden edges, it blooms intermittently in zones 9-11. Thriving in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil, it’s drought-tolerant and requires weekly watering and monthly fertilization (8-8-8).
Pest-resistant and low-maintenance, its foliage is the star, used in potpourri or as a culinary garnish. Its mosquito-repelling claim is debated, but it adds aromatic charm, though it needs regular pruning to prevent legginess.
Vancouver Centennial (Pelargonium x hortorum)
Vancouver Centennial, a fancy-leaf zonal geranium, grows 12-14 inches tall and wide, with small, pale yellow flowers and stunning, star-shaped leaves in chartreuse with bronze-red centers. Its compact, bushy form is ideal for containers, borders, or as a foliage accent, blooming from spring to fall in zones 10-11.
Requiring full sun and well-drained soil, it’s heat-tolerant and needs weekly watering, with biweekly fertilization (10-10-10). Pest- and deer-resistant, it’s low-maintenance, with foliage stealing the show. Its golden leaves create bold contrasts in mixed plantings, though it may need shade in hot climates to prevent leaf scorching.
Growing and Caring for Yellow Geraniums
Yellow geraniums thrive in full sun (6-8 hours daily) but tolerate part shade in hot climates, requiring well-draining soil amended with compost, peat moss, or perlite to prevent root rot. Water weekly, allowing soil to dry between sessions, and fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a balanced 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer to boost blooms.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous flowering, except for self-cleaning varieties like Gold Strike. Hardy in zones 9-11, they’re grown as annuals in colder regions or overwintered indoors at 45-50°F, pruned back by one-third before frost. Propagate via stem cuttings or seeds, starting indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost for early blooms.
Common Uses and Benefits
Yellow geraniums shine in diverse settings, from hanging baskets and window boxes to borders and mixed containers. Trailing varieties like Cascade Yellow create stunning spills in elevated planters, while upright zonals like First Yellow anchor beds or serve as thrillers in patio pots. They attract pollinators—bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—enhancing garden ecosystems.
Deer- and rabbit-resistant, they’re ideal for wildlife-prone areas. Their drought and heat tolerance suits xeriscaping, and scented types like Lemon Fizz add mosquito-repelling and culinary value. Indoors, compact varieties brighten homes with bright light, offering year-round cheer with their radiant blooms and foliage.
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Yellow geraniums are resilient but face pests like aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites, treatable with neem oil or insecticidal soap, ensuring good air circulation. Root rot and fungal diseases like botrytis stem from overwatering; use well-draining soil and water only when dry. Yellowing leaves may signal over- or underwatering, nutrient deficiency, or too much shade—adjust care and ensure 6+ hours of sun.
In extreme heat, provide afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch, especially for varieties like Vancouver Centennial. Regular deadheading is crucial for most, though self-cleaning types reduce this task. In zones below 9, overwinter indoors or propagate cuttings to preserve plants.