Repotting guide

When & how to repot Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses' (Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses')

Also called Attar of Roses geranium, Rose-scented pelargonium Attar of Roses.

More about pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'

About Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses'

Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses' · also called Attar of Roses geranium, Rose-scented pelargonium Attar of Roses · herb

'Attar of Roses' is a rose-scented geranium prized for the intense, sweet rose fragrance released when its soft, lobed leaves are brushed. A vigorous South African Pelargonium, it grows as a bushy tender perennial used for potpourri, flavouring and essential oil. It loves bright sun, well-drained gritty soil and dislikes wet roots and frost.

Mature size: 60-100 cm tall and 60-90 cm wide in a season; larger if overwintered and grown on for several years.

Watch for — Weak or faded scent: Insufficient sun and overfeeding with nitrogen dilute the aromatic oils; give more direct light and a leaner, higher-potash feed.

How to tell pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses', watch for these signs:

A dense root mass with little soil visible when you ease pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' out of its pot — check once a year rather than assuming.
Roots emerging from the drainage holes (slow on this plant, so this is a strong signal).
The plant has become top-heavy and tips its pot over.
Genuinely stalled growth across a full season despite adequate light — not just the naturally slow pace this plant always has.

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 graveolens 'attar of roses'

Every 2–4 years — it is in no hurry. Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses''s growth habit — vigorous, bushy, upright-then-spreading evergreen subshrub with soft, deeply lobed aromatic leaves and small pink flowers; benefits from regular pinching to stay dense. — sets the pace. 'Attar of Roses' is a rose-scented geranium prized for the intense, sweet rose fragrance released when its soft, lobed leaves are brushed. A vigorous South African Pelargonium, it grows as a bushy tender perennial used for potpourri, flavouring and essential oil. It loves bright sun, well-drained gritty soil and dislikes wet roots and frost.

What size pot to step pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' up to

Step up just one pot size, and only when the roots are genuinely packed. Because pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' grows so slowly, a big pot of damp soil will simply sit wet for months around a small root system and invite rot. A snug pot suits this plant; resist the urge to "give it room to grow" — it will not use it.

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 graveolens 'attar of roses'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'. 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 pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'

Time it for spring. Repot pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' in early spring as growth restarts so it re-roots quickly into the fresh soil.
Choose one size up. Pick a pot about 2–3 cm wider with drainage holes. One step only — a much bigger pot stays soggy and rots roots.
Ease the plant out. Water lightly the day before, then tip pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' out and gently loosen any roots circling the bottom of the rootball.
Repot at the same depth. Put a layer of fresh free-draining loam or potting mix with added grit or perlite in the new pot, set the plant so its soil line is unchanged, and backfill, firming lightly.
Water and pause feeding. Water once to settle the soil. Hold off fertiliser for about a month — fresh mix already has nutrients and feeding now burns new roots.

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 pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' 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 pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'

Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses' wants free-draining loam or potting mix with added grit or perlite. Use a peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly one-quarter with grit, perlite or coarse sand. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH suits it; never let it sit in a saucer of water. 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 graveolens 'attar of roses' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'?

Every 2–4 years — it is in no hurry for pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'. Repot pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' only every 2–4 years — it builds roots slowly and a yearly repot is wasted effort. Move up just one pot size in spring with fresh free-draining loam or potting mix with added grit or perlite. The main error is repotting too often and into too large a pot, which leaves cold wet soil around the roots.

What size pot does pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' need?

When is the best time of year to repot pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'?

Can you put pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' straight into a much bigger pot?

No. Even a fast-growing pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' should only go up one pot size at a time. A vastly oversized pot holds a reservoir of wet soil the roots cannot reach, which stays cold and soggy and rots the roots — the opposite of what you wanted.

Should you fertilise pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.