Repotting guide

When & how to repot Alpine Heron's Bill (Erodium reichardii)

Also called Alpine Heron's Bill, Alpine Geranium, Cranesbill.

More about alpine heron's bill

About Alpine Heron's Bill

Erodium reichardii · also called Alpine Heron's Bill, Alpine Geranium · flowering

Erodium reichardii is a miniature, mat-forming alpine perennial native to rocky limestone slopes in the Balearic Islands and Pyrenees. It bears a long succession of dainty white or pale pink veined flowers from late spring through summer and demands gritty, sharply drained, near-neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny, sheltered position. The single most important care rule is excellent drainage year-round, especially in winter. The genus is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA and is considered low-risk to pets.

Mature size: Up to 10 cm tall, 20–30 cm spread over several years.

Watch for — Winter wet rot: Standing moisture in winter causes rapid root and crown rot; prioritise drainage over cold protection — the plant tolerates hard frost far better than wet soil.

How to tell alpine heron's bill needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For alpine heron's bill, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot alpine heron's bill

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Alpine Heron's Bill's growth habit — dense, mat-forming evergreen perennial producing compact cushions of tufted, dark green, scallop-edged leaves. — sets the pace. Erodium reichardii is a miniature, mat-forming alpine perennial native to rocky limestone slopes in the Balearic Islands and Pyrenees. It bears a long succession of dainty white or pale pink veined flowers from late spring through summer and demands gritty, sharply drained, near-neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny, sheltered position. The single most important care rule is excellent drainage year-round, especially in winter. The genus is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA and is considered low-risk to pets.

What size pot to step alpine heron's bill up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Alpine Heron's Bill stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot alpine heron's bill

Spring or summer, while alpine heron's bill is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting alpine heron's bill

Repot dry. Do not water alpine heron's bill for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty sharply drained gritty loam or alpine mix, neutral to alkaline ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set alpine heron's bill at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep alpine heron's bill completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for alpine heron's bill

Alpine Heron's Bill wants sharply drained gritty loam or alpine mix, neutral to alkaline. A 50:50 blend of John Innes No. 2 compost and horticultural grit suits container culture; in the ground, raise the planting site or plant on a slope. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting alpine heron's bill — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot alpine heron's bill?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for alpine heron's bill. Repot alpine heron's bill every 2–3 years into a snug pot of sharply drained gritty loam or alpine mix, neutral to alkaline, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does alpine heron's bill need?

When is the best time of year to repot alpine heron's bill?

Should you water alpine heron's bill after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot alpine heron's bill into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise alpine heron's bill after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting alpine heron's bill. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.