Repotting guide

When & how to repot Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' (Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety')

Also called Bevan's bigroot geranium.

More about geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'

About Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety'

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' · also called Bevan's bigroot geranium · flowering

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' is a tough, aromatic bigroot cranesbill grown as dependable ground cover, with deep magenta-pink flowers and red calyces in early summer above semi-evergreen, sticky scented leaves that flush red in autumn. It thrives in dry shade where little else does, smothers weeds, and needs almost no attention once established.

Mature size: 30-45 cm tall and spreading 60 cm or more, knitting into broad colonies within 2-3 seasons.

Watch for — Spreading beyond bounds: Surface rhizomes can creep into neighbours over time. Lift and pull back the easily detached rhizomes in spring or autumn to keep colonies in check; it is shallow-rooted and simple to control.

How to tell geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety', watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety') flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

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 geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Vigorous, mat-forming semi-evergreen perennial spreading by stout surface rhizomes to make dense, weed-suppressing ground cover, with aromatic sticky foliage and short flower stems..

What size pot to step geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

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 geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh adaptable, well-drained loam; tolerates poor and dry soils, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' wants adaptable, well-drained loam; tolerates poor and dry soils. Grows in almost any reasonably drained soil from acid to alkaline, including poor, stony and dry ground beneath shrubs and trees. Best avoided only in permanently waterlogged sites. No enrichment needed. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'. Only repot geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using adaptable, well-drained loam; tolerates poor and dry soils. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' need?

When is the best time of year to repot geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'?

Does geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' like to be root-bound?

Yes — geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting geranium macrorrhizum 'bevan's variety'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.