Repotting guide

When & how to repot Pelargonium capitatum (Pelargonium capitatum)

Also called Rose pelargonium, Wild rose geranium, Rose-scented geranium.

More about pelargonium capitatum

About Pelargonium capitatum

Pelargonium capitatum · also called Rose pelargonium, Wild rose geranium · herb

Pelargonium capitatum is a sprawling, soft-stemmed South African species with lobed, crinkled, rose-scented leaves and rounded heads of small pink-mauve flowers. A coastal plant naturalised on dunes in its range, it is a parent of the rose-geranium oil trade and grown for fragrant foliage. Vigorous and drought-tolerant, it wants full sun and very sharp drainage.

Mature size: About 30-50 cm tall and 60-100 cm wide; can spread widely as a groundcover in frost-free gardens.

Watch for — Soft-stem and root rot: Its succulent sprawling stems rot fast in wet soil. Use very sharp drainage, water only when well dry and avoid waterlogging, especially in winter.

How to tell pelargonium capitatum needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For pelargonium capitatum, 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 pelargonium capitatum

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Pelargonium capitatum's growth habit — low, spreading and shrubby with soft, branching, sprawling stems and crinkled rose-scented leaves; mounds and trails rather than growing upright. — sets the pace. Pelargonium capitatum is a sprawling, soft-stemmed South African species with lobed, crinkled, rose-scented leaves and rounded heads of small pink-mauve flowers. A coastal plant naturalised on dunes in its range, it is a parent of the rose-geranium oil trade and grown for fragrant foliage. Vigorous and drought-tolerant, it wants full sun and very sharp drainage.

What size pot to step pelargonium capitatum up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Pelargonium capitatum 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 pelargonium capitatum

Spring or summer, while pelargonium capitatum 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 pelargonium capitatum

Repot dry. Do not water pelargonium capitatum 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 very free-draining, sandy or gritty compost 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 pelargonium capitatum 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 pelargonium capitatum 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 pelargonium capitatum

Pelargonium capitatum wants very free-draining, sandy or gritty compost. Reflecting its coastal-dune origins, use a sandy or gritty, sharply draining mix; a loam-based compost with added sand and grit works well. Avoid heavy, moisture-retentive soils. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting pelargonium capitatum — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot pelargonium capitatum?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for pelargonium capitatum. Repot pelargonium capitatum every 2–3 years into a snug pot of very free-draining, sandy or gritty compost, 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 pelargonium capitatum need?

When is the best time of year to repot pelargonium capitatum?

Should you water pelargonium capitatum after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot pelargonium capitatum 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 pelargonium capitatum after repotting?

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