Expert Advice On How To Prune Geraniums - WikiHow

Home » How To Prune A Geranium » Expert Advice On How To Prune Geraniums - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Prune Geraniums PDF download Download Article Reviewed by Ben Barkan

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved

PDF download Download Article
  • Knowing When to Prune
    • |
  • Using the Right Trimming Technique
    • |
  • Propagating the Cuttings
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
|Show more |Show less X

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, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 15 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 400,661 times.

Geraniums will grow tall and leggy if they're not pruned regularly. Cutting back the plants allows for new growth and longer-lasting blooms, bringing out the best in these bright, cheerful garden staple. And you don't have to let the cuttings go to waste - you can use them to start new geranium plants. See the article below for information on knowing the right time to prune, trimming correctly, and propagating the cuttings.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Knowing When to Prune

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Pinch geraniums as soon as you bring them home. 1 Pinch geraniums as soon as you bring them home. When you buy a new pot or flat of geraniums, pruning them immediately will encourage them to grow in a full, round, bushy shape. Be sure to remove dead flowers as well as any unhealthy leaves.[1]
    • Geraniums come in two varieties: "true" and "common." True geraniums are perennials, so pruning them is a good investment. Common geraniums are annuals, and they also do well with pruning, but since they won't last more than a season, it's not absolutely necessary to prune them.
  2. Step 2 Prune geraniums in preparation for winter. 2 Prune geraniums in preparation for winter. After the growing season is finished, pruning back the geraniums will help them stay healthy and dormant during the colder months. Wait until the flowers have died and the geranium has gotten a little leggy, in late summer or early to mid-fall. This way the geraniums will conserve energy during the winter and spring back to life when the weather gets warm.
    • If you live in a temperate climate where the winters don't get so cold that the ground freezes, you can overwinter your geraniums outside.
    • In colder areas, where the ground freezes hard, you'll want to dig up your geraniums and keep them in pots indoors for the winter.
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Prune overwintered geraniums in the spring. 3 Prune overwintered geraniums in the spring. The geraniums will have continued to grow over the winter, sprouting long, woody legs. It's not a very attractive look, and that's why geraniums should be pruned right at the beginning of the new growing season. This will encourage them to grow in a full, pretty shape as the weather gets warm.
    • If you overwintered your geraniums outside, prune in late March or early April, when the weather begins to warm up.
    • If you overwintered your geraniums inside, wait until the ground has thawed. You can gradually get them used to outdoor weather by putting them outside during sunny, warm days and bringing them back in at night. When the last frost has passed, you can either transplant them to the ground or keep them outside in pots.
    4. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Using the Right Trimming Technique

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Examine the plant. 1 Examine the plant. Take a look at the plant from all angles so you can identify problem areas. Look for areas where there aren't many leaves, dead areas, and lopsided areas. Determine where you'll need to prune in order to give your geranium a healthier and more attractive shape.
    • Pruning actually spurs new growth of stems and flowers, so trimming back a particular place won't necessarily leave a hole.
    • If a large part of the plant is dead, you'll need to do some drastic trimming. The plant should survive as long as the central stalk is still green. However, it might take a few weeks before new leaves and flowers emerge.
  2. Step 2 Deadhead the spent blossoms. 2 Deadhead the spent blossoms. This pruning method is an important way to encourage the plant to create new flowers. Taking off the dead blossoms allows the geranium to direct energy toward producing new ones. It also clears your view of the plant's stalks, so you can better see what you're working with. You can deadhead your geranium any time you see languishing blossoms; it's a quick way to maintain the health of the plant, and doesn't even require tools.
    • Grasp the flower stem just behind the dead blossom with your thumb and forefinger.
    • Pinch the stem and sever it with your thumbnail, then discard the dead flower.
    • Alternatively, you may want to wait until a whole flower cluster is spent, then remove the whole cluster further down the stem down at the next leafy area.
  3. Step 3 Remove dead foliage. 3 Remove dead foliage. The next step is to get rid of dead or dying leaves and stems. Trimming them back will keep the plant from wasting energy trying to keep them alive. Use a pair of hand clippers to trim dead or dying stems to the base of the plant. This is an important step to take in the spring in order to encourage good growth during the growing season, but you can trim back dead foliage any time of year.[2]
    • Don't bother trying to save foliage that seems on the verge of being dead, even if it's not quite there yet. It's better to trim it back and let the plant produce strong, new stems.
  4. Step 4 Trim healthy flower stems. 4 Trim healthy flower stems. In the spring, trimming back healthy flower stems will encourage the plant to produce more flowers. Follow a flower stem to where it's joined to the main stem, then use a pair of hand clippers to trim it against the base of the main stem. This will activate dormant buds and you should see new growth in no time.
    • If you don't want to make such a drastic cut, follow the flower stem back to 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) above the top of a node, which is a ring around the stem on a geranium. The new growth will sprout from the node.
  5. Step 5 Trim back leggy stalks. 5 Trim back leggy stalks. "Leggy" stalks refer to those that have grown long and tall without any leaves, or with just a few leaves. Trimming these back almost to the base of the plant will allow it to produce new growth low down, creating a fuller, bushier look. Use a pair of hand trimmers to cut the stems close to the base, 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) above the lowest node. Keep the cuttings for propagation!
    • At the end of the growing season, trim back at least 1/3 of the plant in this way to prepare it for winter dormancy.
    6. Advertisement
Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Propagating the Cuttings

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Trim the bottom of the cuttings. 1 Trim the bottom of the cuttings. Hold a cutting upright and find the lowest node. Trim to 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) below the node. Be sure to keep track of which end is up, since cuttings won't grow if you plant them upside down.
    • Long cuttings can be trimmed into more than one piece. Just make sure each one is trimmed to 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) below a node.
    • Cuttings from flowering branches usually will not root, because they don't have the correct hormones in them to create roots. The cuttings need to be from growing stems, not from flowering ones.
  2. Step 2 Remove all but the top leaf. 2 Remove all but the top leaf. The cutting won't be able to support all of the leaves of first, but keeping one will help the growth process along. Trim off the dead or dying leaves and try to keep one healthy leaf toward the top.
    • If the cutting doesn't have a leaf, you can still plant it.
    • If the cutting has one large, healthy leaf, use a scissors to make a slit in the leaf, leaving both halves attached. A cutting can't support the surface area of a large leaf.
  3. Step 3 Fill a small pot with soilless mix. 3 Fill a small pot with soilless mix. You shouldn’t plant cuttings in regular potting soil, as it will remain too wet and rot the roots. Choose one part coconut coir, peat moss, or vermiculite and mix it with one part perlite or sterile builders sand. You'll need a separate plastic or clay container for each cutting you want to plant.[3]
  4. Step 4 Dust cuttings with root hormones. 4 Dust cuttings with root hormones. Root hormones will help your geranium cutting flourish. Dip the bottom 1/4 inch (.64 cm) of the stem into rooting hormone and dust off the excess powder. You can find root hormones at the local garden shop, or online.[4]
  5. Step 5 Plant the cutting. 5 Plant the cutting. Use a chopstick or pen to make a hole in the potting soil, then insert the cutting bottom-side down. The tip of the cutting, including the leaf, should extend above the soil. Pat the soil lightly around the cutting.
  6. Step 6 Water the cutting and wait for it to take root. 6 Water the cutting and wait for it to take root. After a week or two, it will begin to form roots. A few weeks later, new growth will appear. At this point, repot the cutting in garden or potting soil, or plant it in the ground.
    7. Advertisement

Video

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question I have a good size bush which is growing lots of flower stems, but the flowers shrivel and die before blooming. What is going wrong? Katie Gohmann Katie Gohmann Professional Gardener Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008. Katie Gohmann Katie Gohmann Professional Gardener Expert Answer It sounds like too much water, either from high humidity or over-watering. Cut back on the amount of water you're giving them. 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 wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 13
  • Question How do I remove the dead blossoms - do you remove the whole head or pull off the small petals like you do for petunias? Katie Gohmann Katie Gohmann Professional Gardener Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008. Katie Gohmann Katie Gohmann Professional Gardener Expert Answer Once all of the blossoms on a given cluster are spent, remove the whole cluster by cutting or pinching the stem down at the next leafy area. 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 wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 10
  • Question Do geraniums grow well in pots? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, they do! 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 wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • Cut back the leading shoots of young plants that you have recently established from cuttings; this will encourage branching. Remove any unwanted stems by thinning them out. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Propagate Geraniums from CuttingsHow toPropagate Geraniums from Cuttings Grow GeraniumsHow to Grow and Care for Geraniums Prune VerbenaHow toPrune Verbena Cut Back PenstemonHow toCut Back Penstemon Prune BegoniasHow toPrune Begonias Root Chrysanthemum CuttingsHow toRoot Chrysanthemum Cuttings Prune RhododendronsHow and When to Prune Rhododendrons Prune a Gardenia BushWhen & How to Prune Gardenias for Healthy, Happy Blooms Care for a Gerbera DaisyHow toCare for a Gerbera Daisy Prune LiliesWhen & How to Prune Lilies for Healthy, Happy Blooms Harvest GingerHow toHarvest Ginger Divide Gerbera DaisiesHow toDivide Gerbera Daisies Prune SucculentsHow toPrune Succulents Prune OreganoHow toPrune Oregano Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/geranium/pruning-geraniums.htm
  2. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/trim-geraniums-18051908.php
  3. ↑ https://www.planetnatural.com/plant-propagation/
  4. ↑ http://edenmakersblog.com/?p=4678#sthash.6AXp7sKG.dpbs

About This Article

Ben Barkan Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Professional Gardener 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, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 400,661 times. 10 votes - 100% Co-authors: 8 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 400,661 Categories: Growing Flowers Article SummaryX

To prune geraniums, start by pinching off any dead blossoms, which encourages the plant to produce new flowers. Then, use hand clippers to trim dead or dying stems at the base of the plant. Next, trim back some of the healthy flower stems to where they’re connected to the main stem, so dormant buds will be activated and produce even more flowers. Finally, find any “leggy” stalks that have grown long and tall with few or no leaves, and cut them to the base of the plant to stimulate new growth and create a fuller, bushier geranium. For tips from our Horticultural reviewer on how to prune new geraniums, and when to prune more mature plants, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish Russian Italian German Portuguese French Dutch Indonesian Japanese Vietnamese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 400,661 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Ann Cartwright

    Ann Cartwright

    Jul 16, 2016

    "Exceptional advice. The detail and clarity is brilliant. So often, people presume that everyone has inherent..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ben Barkan Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Professional Gardener Co-authors: 8 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 400,661 100% of readers found this article helpful. 10 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Ann Cartwright

Ann Cartwright

Jul 16, 2016

"Exceptional advice. The detail and clarity is brilliant. So often, people presume that everyone has inherent..." more Pat Campbell

Pat Campbell

Mar 16, 2017

"I live in an aged care facility. I have a small area for a garden having full sun with little shade, so I chose..." more Rated this article: Anonymous

Anonymous

Jun 5, 2025

"My geraniums reach the ceiling and look feral and wild, which I love until it gets too crazy. I'm grateful for..." more M. J. Ray

M. J. Ray

Jul 3, 2016

"I live in a warm climate and have geraniums that are out year-round, but have gotten woody. I was looking to see..." more Karen Halstead

Karen Halstead

Jul 13, 2016

"It's explaining even more than I had searched for. I wanted to know how to deadhead Geraniums, and I've..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

How Tall Will I Be QuizHow Tall Will I Be QuizTake QuizWhat’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?What’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?Take QuizAm I Balding QuizAm I Balding QuizTake QuizImpossible English TestImpossible English TestTake QuizWhat Men's Haircut Should I Get QuizWhat Men's Haircut Should I Get QuizTake QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Propagate Geraniums from CuttingsHow toPropagate Geraniums from CuttingsGrow GeraniumsHow to Grow and Care for GeraniumsPrune VerbenaHow toPrune VerbenaCut Back PenstemonHow toCut Back Penstemon

Trending Articles

Will I Ever Find Love QuizWill I Ever Find Love QuizAm I Autistic QuizAm I Autistic QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizDiscover the Secret Meaning of Your First NameDiscover the Secret Meaning of Your First NamePractice KissingHow toPractice Kissing5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape

Watch Articles

Amazing Super Bowl Party Ideas Guests Will Cheer ForAmazing Super Bowl Party Ideas Guests Will Cheer ForDevelop Listening SkillsHow toDevelop Listening SkillsNot Lose Your GirlfriendHow toNot Lose Your Girlfriend Draw an OwlHow to Draw an OwlTreat AllergiesHow toTreat AllergiesIntroduce Friends to Other FriendsHow toIntroduce Friends to Other Friends

Trending Articles

What Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizCan We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Can We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Depression Test for TeensDepression Test for TeensBe PrettyHow toBe Pretty Sleep Next to a Snoring Husband: Our 8 Best Tips & TricksHow to Sleep Next to a Snoring Husband: Our 8 Best Tips & Tricks

Quizzes & Games

What Plant Am I QuizWhat Plant Am I QuizTake QuizAm I Smart QuizAm I Smart QuizTake QuizWhat Age Is My Brain QuizWhat Age Is My Brain QuizTake QuizWhat Tarot Card Am I QuizWhat Tarot Card Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Flower Am I QuizWhat Flower Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Kind of Reality Check Do I Need QuizWhat Kind of Reality Check Do I Need QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Home and Garden
  • Gardening
  • Planting and Growing
  • Growing Flowers
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --538

Tag » How To Prune A Geranium