How to Prune Geraniums for More Flowers

Pruning geraniums at the right time keeps them compact, bushy, and flowering well rather than leggy and flower-sparse. The timing and technique differ between tender pelargoniums and hardy geraniums (cranesbills), but both groups benefit significantly from the right pruning approach.

Pruning pelargoniums in spring

Overwintered pelargoniums often look leggy and bare by late winter. Once you see new growth beginning — typically February to March — cut the plant back hard, reducing each stem to 10–15cm with at least one leaf joint remaining. This can seem drastic, but pelargoniums respond vigorously to hard pruning, throwing out multiple new side shoots from each cut stem. The result is a much bushier plant that will flower far more prolifically than a leggy, unpruned one.

Pinching out new growth

As new shoots emerge after hard pruning — or on young plants raised from cuttings — pinching out the growing tip encourages branching. Removing the soft tip of each stem causes the plant to put out two or more side shoots, increasing the number of flowering stems dramatically. Pinch out when shoots reach about 10cm and repeat once more after the side shoots have grown on to encourage further branching. Stop pinching once the plant is in active bud to avoid delaying flowering.

• Hard prune overwintered plants in early spring.
• Cut to 10–15cm, leaving leaf joints on each stem.
• Pinch out tips of new shoots for bushy growth.
• Deadhead regularly during the growing season.

Pruning hardy geraniums

Hardy geraniums are pruned differently. After the main flush of flowers in early or midsummer, cut the whole plant back by about half — sometimes even more. Use shears or secateurs to reduce the mound of stems and foliage. This removes all the spent flower material and tired foliage in one cut and typically triggers a fresh flush of growth and a second wave of flowers within four to six weeks. In autumn, leave the plant untouched to die back naturally.

Autumn pruning of pelargoniums

Before bringing pelargoniums indoors for winter, reduce them by about a third to make them easier to manage and to remove any diseased or damaged material. This light autumn cut is not the same as the hard spring prune — take just enough to tidy the plant and reduce its bulk for storage, leaving enough stem to carry healthy growth through winter. Once indoors, water very sparingly and keep in a cool, frost-free position until spring.