Repotting guide

When & how to repot Pelargonium 'Flower of Spring' (Pelargonium 'Flower of Spring')

Also called Flower of Spring geranium, Silver-leaved bedding pelargonium.

More about pelargonium 'flower of spring'

About Pelargonium 'Flower of Spring'

Pelargonium 'Flower of Spring' · also called Flower of Spring geranium, Silver-leaved bedding pelargonium · flowering

A classic Victorian silver-variegated zonal pelargonium with grey-green leaves broadly margined in white and small single scarlet flowers. Long used as a foliage bedding plant for its bright, cool-toned leaves, it is robust and easy in pots and borders. Tender to frost, it wants full sun, gritty free-draining compost and a frost-free winter.

Mature size: Typically 30-45 cm tall and 25-35 cm across in pots or bedding.

Watch for — Leggy growth: Low light and no pinching cause stretching. Pinch out growing tips and give maximum light to stay compact.

How to tell pelargonium 'flower of spring' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For pelargonium 'flower of spring', 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 'flower of spring'

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Pelargonium 'Flower of Spring''s growth habit — bushy, upright bedding zonal grown mainly for silver-white variegated foliage with secondary scarlet flowers. — sets the pace. A classic Victorian silver-variegated zonal pelargonium with grey-green leaves broadly margined in white and small single scarlet flowers. Long used as a foliage bedding plant for its bright, cool-toned leaves, it is robust and easy in pots and borders. Tender to frost, it wants full sun, gritty free-draining compost and a frost-free winter.

What size pot to step pelargonium 'flower of spring' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Pelargonium 'Flower of Spring' 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 'flower of spring'

Spring or summer, while pelargonium 'flower of spring' 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 'flower of spring'

Repot dry. Do not water pelargonium 'flower of spring' 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 gritty, free-draining loam-based 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 'flower of spring' 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 'flower of spring' 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 'flower of spring'

Pelargonium 'Flower of Spring' wants gritty, free-draining loam-based compost. John Innes No. 2 plus perlite or grit for drainage. Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline pH and dislikes constantly wet, heavy mixes. 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 'flower of spring' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot pelargonium 'flower of spring'?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for pelargonium 'flower of spring'. Repot pelargonium 'flower of spring' every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty, free-draining loam-based 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 'flower of spring' need?

When is the best time of year to repot pelargonium 'flower of spring'?

Should you water pelargonium 'flower of spring' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot pelargonium 'flower of spring' 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 'flower of spring' after repotting?

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