Here's What to Plant with Geraniums for Pretty Summer Containers

The All-White Look

White offers a fresh, clean look that blends with everything. And because it reflects light, white flowers are a fantastic choice when deciding what to plant with geraniums in containers you primarily view in the evening.

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Allure White') — 1

B: Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) — 1

C: Vinca major — 1

D: Bacopa (Sutera 'Abunda Giant White') — 3

Use Fresh Spring Colors

Soft pink offers a cool, refreshing feel and is perfect for a lush geranium head. It's an ideal planting partner for purple and chartreuse.

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Moonlight Pink') — 2

B: Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri') — 1

C: Calibrachoa 'Cabaret Purple' — 2

D: Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans 'Golden Delicious') — 3

Create Drama with Foliage

Plants with pretty leaves can give you as much color as flowers, especially if you use bold, contrasting shades. When choosing what to plant with geraniums in containers, these plants are a good option for allowing the geraniums' flowers to be the star of the show.

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Indian Dunes') — 1

B: Coleus (Keystone Kopper Solenostemon) — 1

C: Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea 'Illusion Midnight Lace') — 1

Add Height

Geraniums are relatively low-growing, so when choosing what to plant with geraniums in containers, mix them with taller species to add a vertical touch, especially in upright containers.

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Pink Happy Thought') — 2

B: Cosmos 'Sensation White' — 1

C: Sage (Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue') — 1

D: New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens 'Salmon Frost') — 1

E: Easy Wave Pink Petunia — 1

F: Golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea') — 1

Contrast Textures

The big, rounded heads of geranium flowers are ideal for contrasting spiky plants, such as celosia, and are accented beautifully by fine-texture foliage, such as asparagus fern.

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Pinto Pink') — 1

B: Pentas 'Graffiti Pink' — 1

C: Celosia 'Smart Look Red' — 1

D: Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri') — 1

E: Ivy (Hedera colchica) — 1

F: Verbena 'Lanai Royal Purple with Eye' — 1

Keep it Fresh

A mix of all-white flowers is the perfect way to add a cooling effect to your outdoor space. Light-color flowers are especially dramatic when planted in dark containers.

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Americana White') — 1

B: Angelonia 'Carita Cascade White' — 1

C: Ivy (Hedera canariensis 'Variegata') — 1

D: English ivy (Hedera helix) — 1

E: Euphoric White Euphorbia — 1

Dress Up the Everyday

Geraniums, spikes, and vinca is a tried-and-true combination that has worked for thousands of gardeners. Add on to the theme with extra textures for a bigger impact!

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Tango Hot Pink') — 1

B: Verbena 'Lanai Blue' — 1

C: Bacopa (Sutera 'Calypso Jumbo White') — 2

D: Ivy (Hedera canariensis) — 1

E: Vinca major — 1

F: Spike (Dracaena indivisa) — 1

Plant in Contemporary Colors

Pink and orange is a hot color combo that creates lots of interest in the garden. Put it to work in yours with easy-growing geranium and heat-tolerant cuphea, a stunning pairing partner for geranium.

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Savannah Hot Pink Sizzle') — 2

B: Euphorbia 'Stardust White Sparkle' — 1

C: Impatiens 'Accent Rose' — 1

D: Cuphea 'Caribbean Sunset' — 3

Have Fun with Foliage

Go bold and create an all-season companion planting look when considering what to plant with geraniums in containers by mixing variegated types with other easy-growing plants with colorful leaves.

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Crystal Palace Gem') — 1

B: Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) — 1

C: Dichondra 'Silver Falls' — 2

D: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Mrs. Pollock') — 1

E: Honey Bush (Melianthus major) — 1

F: Duranta 'Gold Edge' — 1

G: Variegated basil (Ocimum 'Pesto Perpetuo') — 1

Use Geraniums as Accent Plants

Because their big heads of colorful flowers are so dramatic, we usually think of geraniums as the star of a container garden. But they also make great supporting cast members when you have bigger, bolder varieties such as canna and sweet potato vine.

A: Geranium (Pelargonium 'Savannah Hot Pink Sizzle') — 2

B: Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea 'Sidekick Black') — 1

C: Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea 'Sidekick Lime') — 1

D: New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens 'Sonic Sweet Cherry') — 1

E: Cordyline 'Red Star' — 1

F: Bacopa (Sutera 'Calypso Jumbo White') — 2

G: Canna 'Pretoria' — 1

Play Off Your Container

Match the bloom color of your geranium to your container to tie the combination together. It's a great way to get a professionally designed look!

A. Canna 'Assaut' — 2

B. Geranium (Pelargonium 'Designer Cherry') — 1

C. Geranium (Pelargonium 'Graffiti White') — 2

D. Geranium (Pelargonium 'Graffiti Pink') — 2

E. Easy Wave Shell Pink Petunia — 1

Keep it Simple

Sometimes simple, straightforward companion plantings have the biggest impact. Here blue and red offer a stunning presentation.

A. Geranium (Pelargonium 'Red Elite') — 1

B. Evolvulus 'Blue Daze' — 5