Repotting guide

When & how to repot Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' (Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat')

Also called Tomcat ivy geranium.

More about pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat'

About Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat'

Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' · also called Tomcat ivy geranium · flowering

'Tomcat' is a vigorous ivy-leaved pelargonium grown for cascading stems and dense clusters of bright red single flowers. Its glossy, fleshy, five-lobed leaves trail and spill, making it a classic balcony, window-box and hanging-basket plant. It blooms heavily through summer in full sun, is drought-tolerant once established, and is treated as a tender perennial.

Mature size: Trails 60-90 cm; spreads 30-45 cm wide in a season.

Watch for — Root and stem rot: Caused by overwatering or poorly drained compost; let the mix dry between waterings and ensure drainage holes.

How to tell pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' needs repotting

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

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat''s growth habit — trailing, cascading evergreen perennial with semi-succulent ivy-shaped leaves on long pendulous stems. — sets the pace. 'Tomcat' is a vigorous ivy-leaved pelargonium grown for cascading stems and dense clusters of bright red single flowers. Its glossy, fleshy, five-lobed leaves trail and spill, making it a classic balcony, window-box and hanging-basket plant. It blooms heavily through summer in full sun, is drought-tolerant once established, and is treated as a tender perennial.

What size pot to step pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' 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 peltatum 'tomcat'

Spring or summer, while pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' 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 peltatum 'tomcat'

Repot dry. Do not water pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' 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, gritty potting mix 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 peltatum 'tomcat' 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 peltatum 'tomcat' 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 peltatum 'tomcat'

Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' wants free-draining, gritty potting mix. Use a peat-free multipurpose compost lightened with perlite or grit. Containers must have drainage holes; waterlogged mix is the fastest way to kill it. Slightly alkaline to neutral pH suits it well. 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 peltatum 'tomcat' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat'?

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

When is the best time of year to repot pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat'?

Should you water pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' 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 peltatum 'tomcat' after repotting?

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