Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Dilys Cranesbill (Geranium 'Dilys')— schedule & NPK
Also called Dilys Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium 'Dilys'.
More about dilys cranesbill
About Dilys Cranesbill
Geranium 'Dilys' · also called Dilys Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium 'Dilys' · flowering
Geranium 'Dilys' is a low-growing, spreading cranesbill hybrid (G. sanguineum × G. procurrens), introduced by Axle Tree Nursery, bearing single deep reddish-purple flowers with darker veins from midsummer through to autumn — one of the longest-blooming hardy geraniums available. It spreads as a weed-suppressing ground cover to about 50 cm and tolerates partial shade, poor drainage, and dry spells better than most cranesbills. The single most important care point is removing spent stems to keep the plant tidy and encourage continuous flowering. True cranesbill Geranium species are not listed as toxic by the ASPCA, which reserves that classification for Pelargonium, and are widely considered pet-safe.
Growth habit: Low-growing, spreading, herbaceous perennial forming a dense weed-suppressing mat.
What fertiliser dilys cranesbill actually wants — and why
Dilys 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 dilys 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 dilys 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 dilys cranesbill:
Top-dress with a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring; high-fertility soils are not needed and can produce overly lush, floppy growth. 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 dilys 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 dilys cranesbill
Half strength is the safe default for dilys 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 dilys cranesbill first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the dilys cranesbill watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding dilys cranesbill
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for dilys 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 dilys 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 dilys cranesbill care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of dilys 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 dilys 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 dilys cranesbill — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does dilys 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. Dilys 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 dilys cranesbill?
Top-dress with a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring; high-fertility soils are not needed and can produce overly lush, floppy growth. Top-dress with a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring; high-fertility soils are not needed and can produce overly lush, floppy growth. 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 dilys cranesbill?
Half strength is the safe default for dilys cranesbill — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding dilys 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 dilys 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 dilys cranesbill?
Flush the pot of dilys 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
- Dilys Cranesbill care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water dilys cranesbill — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise crossandra (firecracker flower)
- How to fertilise hosta
- How to fertilise celosia (cockscomb)
- All 10153 fertilising guides in the Growli library