Repotting guide

When & how to repot Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey' (Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey')

Also called Mabel Grey scented geranium, Lemon verbena pelargonium.

More about pelargonium 'mabel grey'

About Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey'

Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey' · also called Mabel Grey scented geranium, Lemon verbena pelargonium · herb

Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey' is regarded as having the strongest lemon scent of any scented-leaf pelargonium, with rough, deeply cut, sharply lemon-fragrant leaves and small mauve-pink flowers. An upright, vigorous tender perennial from cultivated parentage, it is grown for its intense citrus foliage used in cooking, teas and potpourri, and needs bright light with sharp drainage.

Mature size: Often 60-90 cm tall and 45-60 cm wide in a pot, taller and lankier if not pruned.

Watch for — Root rot from overwatering: Soggy compost rots the fleshy stem base. Use gritty mix, water only when the top of the compost is dry and ensure free drainage.

How to tell pelargonium 'mabel grey' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For pelargonium 'mabel grey', 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 'mabel grey'

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey''s growth habit — upright and vigorous, becoming tall and somewhat open with age; rough, jagged, strongly aromatic leaves on sturdy stems. — sets the pace. Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey' is regarded as having the strongest lemon scent of any scented-leaf pelargonium, with rough, deeply cut, sharply lemon-fragrant leaves and small mauve-pink flowers. An upright, vigorous tender perennial from cultivated parentage, it is grown for its intense citrus foliage used in cooking, teas and potpourri, and needs bright light with sharp drainage.

What size pot to step pelargonium 'mabel grey' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey' 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 'mabel grey'

Spring or summer, while pelargonium 'mabel grey' 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 'mabel grey'

Repot dry. Do not water pelargonium 'mabel grey' 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 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 'mabel grey' 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 'mabel grey' 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 'mabel grey'

Pelargonium 'Mabel Grey' wants gritty, free-draining compost. A loam-based or multipurpose compost with added grit or perlite (about a quarter by volume). Avoid moisture-retentive mixes that hold water around the fleshy stem base. 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 'mabel grey' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot pelargonium 'mabel grey'?

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

When is the best time of year to repot pelargonium 'mabel grey'?

Should you water pelargonium 'mabel grey' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot pelargonium 'mabel grey' 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 'mabel grey' after repotting?

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