Repotting guide

When & how to repot Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel' (Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel')

Also called Paul Crampel geranium, Victorian bedding geranium.

More about pelargonium 'paul crampel'

About Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel'

Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel' · also called Paul Crampel geranium, Victorian bedding geranium · flowering

Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel' is a celebrated heritage zonal geranium dating to the early 1900s, famed for its dazzling single bright scarlet flowers held in large round heads above a clear dark leaf zone. Vigorous and reliable, it was a mainstay of Victorian and Edwardian bedding schemes and still excels in beds, pots and windowboxes in full sun.

Mature size: Around 40-60 cm tall and 30-40 cm wide in good conditions.

Watch for — Reduced flowering: Shade or nitrogen-rich feeding cuts blooms. Give full sun and use a high-potash feed to keep the scarlet flower heads coming.

How to tell pelargonium 'paul crampel' needs repotting

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

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel''s growth habit — vigorous, upright and well-branched zonal habit; taller and more robust than miniature types. — sets the pace. Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel' is a celebrated heritage zonal geranium dating to the early 1900s, famed for its dazzling single bright scarlet flowers held in large round heads above a clear dark leaf zone. Vigorous and reliable, it was a mainstay of Victorian and Edwardian bedding schemes and still excels in beds, pots and windowboxes in full sun.

What size pot to step pelargonium 'paul crampel' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel' 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 'paul crampel'

Spring or summer, while pelargonium 'paul crampel' 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 'paul crampel'

Repot dry. Do not water pelargonium 'paul crampel' 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 free-draining loam-based or peat-free multipurpose 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 'paul crampel' 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 'paul crampel' 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 'paul crampel'

Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel' wants free-draining loam-based or peat-free multipurpose compost. An open, gritty mix with perlite or sharp sand keeps roots healthy. John Innes No. 2 plus grit suits container culture; ensure good drainage in pots and beds alike. 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 'paul crampel' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot pelargonium 'paul crampel'?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for pelargonium 'paul crampel'. Repot pelargonium 'paul crampel' every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining loam-based or peat-free multipurpose 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 'paul crampel' need?

When is the best time of year to repot pelargonium 'paul crampel'?

Should you water pelargonium 'paul crampel' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot pelargonium 'paul crampel' 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 'paul crampel' after repotting?

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