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Pruning guide

How to prune geranium (pelargonium)

Best time
Early spring before new growth; deadhead throughout the flowering season; cut back in autumn before first frost
How often
Hard prune twice a year (spring and autumn); deadhead weekly in bloom
Technique
In spring, cut each stem back to a healthy leaf node, reducing the plant by half to two-thirds. Deadhead by tracing the spent flower stalk down to where it meets the main stem and snapping it cleanly off — don't leave stubs, which can rot.

More geranium (pelargonium) care

Pruning geranium (pelargonium) — FAQ

When should I prune geranium (pelargonium)?

Early spring before new growth; deadhead throughout the flowering season; cut back in autumn before first frost. In spring, cut each stem back to a healthy leaf node, reducing the plant by half to two-thirds. Deadhead by tracing the spent flower stalk down to where it meets the main stem and snapping it cleanly off — don't leave stubs, which can rot.

How often does geranium (pelargonium) need pruning?

Hard prune twice a year (spring and autumn); deadhead weekly in bloom. Pelargoniums respond very well to pruning and need it to stay compact and floriferous. Cut leggy stems back by half to two-thirds in early spring. Deadhead spent flower clusters throughout the season by snapping them off at the base of the stalk. Autumn: cut back hard before overwintering indoors to reduce size and stress.

How do you prune geranium (pelargonium)?

In spring, cut each stem back to a healthy leaf node, reducing the plant by half to two-thirds. Deadhead by tracing the spent flower stalk down to where it meets the main stem and snapping it cleanly off — don't leave stubs, which can rot.