Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Dragon Heart Cranesbill (Geranium 'Dragon Heart')— schedule & NPK
Also called Dragon Heart Cranesbill, Dragon Heart Geranium.
More about dragon heart cranesbill
About Dragon Heart Cranesbill
Geranium 'Dragon Heart' · also called Dragon Heart Cranesbill, Dragon Heart Geranium · flowering
Geranium 'Dragon Heart' (PBR, sold as 'Bremdra') is a G. psilostemon × G. procurrens hybrid bred by Alan Bremner of Orkney, producing a generous abundance of large, 4 cm-wide magenta flowers with a striking black centre and dark veining from June through to September. The spreading, trailing mounds of deeply lobed mid-green foliage are vigorous and easy to grow, and the plant holds the RHS AGM. The most important care fact is to give it adequate space and cut back lightly after the first flush to encourage continued blooming. 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: Vigorous spreading and trailing deciduous perennial forming a loose scrambling mound; may need support to prevent flopping.
What fertiliser dragon heart cranesbill actually wants — and why
Dragon Heart 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 dragon heart 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 dragon heart 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 dragon heart cranesbill:
Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring; avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes leafy growth at the expense of the prolific flower 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 dragon heart 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 dragon heart cranesbill
Half strength is the safe default for dragon heart 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 dragon heart cranesbill first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the dragon heart cranesbill watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding dragon heart cranesbill
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for dragon heart 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 dragon heart 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 dragon heart cranesbill care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of dragon heart 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 dragon heart 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 dragon heart cranesbill — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does dragon heart 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. Dragon Heart 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 dragon heart cranesbill?
Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring; avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes leafy growth at the expense of the prolific flower display. Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring; avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes leafy growth at the expense of the prolific flower 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 dragon heart cranesbill?
Half strength is the safe default for dragon heart cranesbill — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding dragon heart 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 dragon heart 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 dragon heart cranesbill?
Flush the pot of dragon heart 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
- Dragon Heart Cranesbill care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water dragon heart 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 young's weeping birch
- How to fertilise paper birch
- How to fertilise heritage river birch
- All 10153 fertilising guides in the Growli library