When to Plant Geraniums in Orem, UT

Geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) are tender perennials grown as warm-season annuals throughout North America. Prized for their bold flower clusters, long bloom period, and tolerance of summer heat when planted in well-drained soil, they anchor window boxes, containers, and bed borders from late spring until hard frost. Zones 9b–11b can overwinter plants in the ground.

Orem, Utah is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 5,535 feet, Utah County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Geraniums during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant

Orem, UT (Zone 7a) Moderate season

159 days

❄

Last Spring Frost May 5

➔ 159 growing days ➔

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First Fall Frost October 11

Orem Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Zone Compatibility for Geraniums Zones 2a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a You 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Geraniums Planting Timeline — Orem, UT

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Last Frost

First Frost

Start Indoors

Feb 24 – Mar 10

Transplant

May 5 – May 19

Bloom

Jul 14 – Nov 3

Growing season Start indoors Transplant Direct sow Bloom

Geraniums Planting Calendar

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 24	Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors	May 5	May 5 – May 19
Bloom	July 14	Jul 14 – Nov 3

Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 14" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

Month	Activities
January	—
February	Start Indoors
March	Start Indoors
April	—
May	Transplant Outdoors
June	—
July	Bloom
August	Bloom
September	Bloom
October	Bloom
November	Bloom
December	—

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

159 days in Utah County

Growing Tips for Orem

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination is slow and erratic without bottom heat (70–75°F). Transplant after frost danger passes. Geraniums rarely direct-sown; cuttings or transplants are the standard. Deadhead spent umbels weekly to maintain continuous bloom. Let soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. In zones 10–11 plants may be left in ground year-round or overwintered as houseplants.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Geraniums in Other Locations

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Your Utah County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Utah County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.