Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Showy Cranesbill bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Showy Cranesbill, Purple Cranesbill, Magnificent Hardy Geranium (Geranium × magnificum).
More about showy cranesbill
About Showy Cranesbill
Geranium × magnificum · also called Showy Cranesbill, Purple Cranesbill · flowering
Geranium × magnificum is a sterile hybrid (G. ibericum × G. platypetalum) of garden origin, producing some of the largest and most intensely coloured flowers in the genus — deep violet-blue with darker veining, up to 5 cm across, in early summer. It forms vigorous, shaggy clumps of deeply divided leaves that colour well in autumn. Because the plant sets no seed, deadheading is unnecessary, but cutting the whole plant back hard after flowering refreshes foliage for the rest of the season. True Geranium species are non-toxic to cats and dogs according to ASPCA guidance.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Post-flowering dieback: The plant looks tatty and yellowed after the single main flowering flush in early summer; cut all stems back hard to 10 cm to trigger a fresh mound of green foliage for the rest of the season.
The reasons showy cranesbill isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming showy cranesbill traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding showy cranesbill a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get showy cranesbill to flower
- Maximise sun. Give showy cranesbill the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for showy cranesbill and get the feeding right with the showy cranesbill fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Showy Cranesbill flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full showy cranesbill care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Showy Cranesbill blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my showy cranesbill flower?
Showy Cranesbill blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make showy cranesbill bloom?
Give showy cranesbill the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does showy cranesbill normally bloom?
Showy Cranesbill flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with showy cranesbill after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping showy cranesbill flowering?
Feeding showy cranesbill a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Showy Cranesbill care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Showy Cranesbill light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Showy Cranesbill fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 4114 bloom guides in the Growli library