- Categories
- Home and Garden
- Gardening
- Planting and Growing
- Growing Flowers
Download Article
Explore this Article
Reviewed byBen Barkan
Last Updated: October 14, 2023Approved
Download Article
Geraniums, otherwise known as "pelargoniums", are easily propagated from cuttings in spring and autumn. The great thing about growing from cuttings is that you can keep the type true to the parent plant and with new young plants, you can be guaranteed of a fresh profusion of flowers.
Steps
Download Article
1
Choose the best time to do this. Early spring and later summer are the best times, but any time in spring, summer and early autumn (fall) will result in healthy cuttings. Early cuttings will flower that summer, while later cuttings will provide larger plants ready to flower the following summer.
2
Choose a healthy plant. Select shoots that look healthy and are not flowering. (It is possible to use flowering shoots if you have no choice but it's best to avoid them.)
Advertisem*nt
3
Take cuttings. Using a clean scalpel or sharp knife (secateurs can crush the shoots), cut off the shoot at a length of about 3-4 inches or 7.5-10cm. If the plant is a miniature, the length should be half that. Cut just above the leaf joint (node).
4
Trim the cutting to just below the node. Remove the lower leaves and scales at the base of the leaf stalks.[1] Leave at least two leaves at the top.
5
Decide whether or not to aid the cutting. Root hormone powders are not needed for pelargoniums, and indeed may be detrimental to their growth.[2] Some advise dipping the cutting in honey––that's up to you.
6
Prepare the growing containers.[3] Fill each container with cutting compost or peat-based seed compost. If you can't find these, make a mixture of equal parts of peat and sharp sand.
- Container sizes: It is recommended that you use a container about 7.5cm/3 inches for individual cuttings, or a 12.5cm (5 inch) for up to five cuttings.
7
Make holes in the potting mix using a dibble, finger or pencil. Near the edges is best for drainage purposes.
8
Insert the cuttings with care.
9
Water the cutting to make sure that the compost is moist.[4] The watering should be very light and avoid covering the cuttings with water, to avoid the growth of botrytis.
10
Place in a warm spot. The cuttings need a warm place for rooting. Preferably use a heating mat or propagator but a warm, sunny windowsill will do the trick, provided they're shaded from direct sunlight (choose the side of the house without direct sun hitting it), or a shaded window. If the cuttings have bottom heat, cold air won't be such an issue for them.
11
Water lightly as the roots develop, mainly when there is sign of wilt in the cuttings. On the whole, keep the compost dry. Do your best to avoid getting water on the actual cuttings. You may see roots appearing within three days for some varieties, longer for others and longer if the air is cool. New top growth will appear once the roots form and if you tug the cutting gently, it will stay in place (thanks to its new roots).
- If you planted several cuttings to a pot, transfer to individual containers once they have developed roots.
- Rooting should start between a week to a month after taking the cuttings.
Advertisem*nt
Community Q&A
Search
Question
How do I make my geranium plant less long?
Community Answer
If you're asking how to keep your geraniums shortened, you can cut them back when necessary.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 4Helpful 34
Question
Do I take the growing tip out of my geranium cuttings once they have rooted?
Community Answer
You can cut the top of the geraniums out once they have rooted as this creates a bushier plant with more foliage.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 12Helpful 68
Question
Should I keep disbudding until the cuttings are a good size?
Community Answer
Yes. At this point, you want the plant to concentrate its energy on root development, not on producing flowers.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 1Helpful 24
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisem*nt
Video
Tips
Use underneath heat to encourage rooting.
Thanks
Helpful85Not Helpful28
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisem*nt
Warnings
Never keep the compost wet as that will increase chances of rot.
Thanks
Helpful29Not Helpful8
Advertisem*nt
Things You'll Need
- Scalpel or sharp knife
- Geranium plants
- Compost
- Warm place
- Water
- Honey (optional)
- Pots (containers)
You Might Also Like
Advertisem*nt
References
- ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-take-cuttings-from-bedding-geraniums/
- ↑ https://edenmakersblog.com/?p=4678#sthash.3dW5j3HZ.dpbs
- ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-take-cuttings-from-bedding-geraniums/
- ↑ https://edenmakersblog.com/?p=4678#sthash.3dW5j3HZ.dpbs
About This Article
![How to Propagate Geraniums from Cuttings: 11 Steps (with Pictures) (33) How to Propagate Geraniums from Cuttings: 11 Steps (with Pictures) (33)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1a/Ben_Barkan.png/-crop-100-100-100px-Ben_Barkan.png)
Reviewed by:
Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape Designer
This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, is licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and is a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This article has been viewed 411,024 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 17
Updated: October 14, 2023
Views:411,024
Categories: Growing Flowers
In other languages
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 411,024 times.
Reader Success Stories
Lesley Marie Wade
Aug 13, 2017
"I'm a newbie to Geraniums. I've moved and have space for ornamental pots, so this year invested in a new..." more
Rated this article:
More reader storiesHide reader stories
Did this article help you?
Advertisem*nt