Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Anne Thomson Cranesbill (Geranium 'Anne Thomson')— schedule & NPK
Also called Anne Thomson Cranesbill, Anne Thomson Geranium.
More about anne thomson cranesbill
About Anne Thomson Cranesbill
Geranium 'Anne Thomson' · also called Anne Thomson Cranesbill, Anne Thomson Geranium · flowering
Geranium 'Anne Thomson' is a hybrid of G. procurrens and G. psilostemon bred by Alan Bremner of Orkney, closely related to 'Ann Folkard' but selected for improved heat tolerance and a more compact, less-sprawling habit. The bright chartreuse young leaves mature to mid-green, and large magenta-pink flowers with a black eye and dark veins are produced abundantly all summer. The RHS awarded it AGM status in 2005. The most important care fact is to site it in sun with well-drained soil and allow space for the trailing stems. ASPCA's 'Geranium' toxic listing refers to Pelargonium; true cranesbills are not confirmed non-toxic by ASPCA, so treat with caution around pets.
Growth habit: Trailing, scrambling deciduous perennial with a more compact and less invasive spread than 'Ann Folkard'.
What fertiliser anne thomson cranesbill actually wants — and why
Anne Thomson Cranesbill is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.
A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for anne thomson cranesbill: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed anne thomson cranesbill, and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For anne thomson cranesbill:
Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring; avoid high-nitrogen feeds which produce leafy growth at the expense of the long flowering display. Treat that as sparingly through the growing season between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when anne thomson cranesbill is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for anne thomson cranesbill
Half strength is the safe default for anne thomson cranesbill — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water anne thomson cranesbill first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the anne thomson cranesbill watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding anne thomson cranesbill
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for anne thomson cranesbill:
- Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering.
- A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim.
- Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops.
- Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered.
Signs you are under-feeding anne thomson cranesbill
- Uniformly pale or yellow-green leaves, oldest first.
- Noticeably small new leaves and stalled growth in good light and season.
- A generally tired, lacklustre look despite correct watering and light.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full anne thomson cranesbill care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of anne thomson cranesbill with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for anne thomson cranesbill
Organic options
A diluted seaweed or worm-casting feed, or fish emulsion if you can tolerate the smell indoors. UK: Westland or Baby Bio Organic, dilute seaweed; US: Espoma Indoor! or Neptune's Harvest fish & seaweed. Slow, gentle and hard to overdo.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A general-purpose houseplant liquid at half strength — UK: Baby Bio, Westland Houseplant Feed or Phostrogen; US: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food or Schultz. Convenient and fast-acting; the only risk is overdoing it.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising anne thomson cranesbill — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does anne thomson cranesbill need?
A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula. Anne Thomson Cranesbill is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.
How often should I feed anne thomson cranesbill?
Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring; avoid high-nitrogen feeds which produce leafy growth at the expense of the long flowering display. Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring; avoid high-nitrogen feeds which produce leafy growth at the expense of the long flowering display. Treat that as sparingly through the growing season between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.
What strength of feed for anne thomson cranesbill?
Half strength is the safe default for anne thomson cranesbill — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding anne thomson cranesbill look like?
Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering. A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim. Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops. Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered. Feeding anne thomson cranesbill year-round on a fixed schedule, including dark winter months, is the most common mistake — it cannot use the nutrients in low light and the surplus simply burns the roots and crusts the soil.
Should I flush the soil of anne thomson cranesbill?
Flush the pot of anne thomson cranesbill with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.
Keep reading
- Anne Thomson Cranesbill care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water anne thomson cranesbill — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
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- All 10153 fertilising guides in the Growli library