A Beginner's Guide to Pruning Geraniums

Geraniums are a staple of summer gardens, known for their vibrant colors and prolific blooms. These low-maintenance plants are a favorite among gardeners for good reason. With a little effort and care, you can extend their blooming season and keep them looking their best for longer.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pruning geraniums, whether you’re growing them as annuals or perennials. From the best tools to use to the right time to prune, we’ve got you covered.

What You’ll Learn

Table of Contents

Here’s a preview of what we’ll be discussing in this guide:

When to Prune Geraniums
Necessary Tools
Deadheading
Overwintered Plants
Annuals
Perennials

Let’s dive in and explore the fascinating world of geranium pruning!

When to Prune Geraniums

The great thing about geraniums is that you can prune them pretty much whenever you feel like it. If your plants are looking a bit unkempt or have stopped blooming, it’s time to break out the pruners.

However, if you overwinter your geraniums or grow them as perennials, it’s essential to prune them twice a year – once in the spring and again in the fall. Deadheading faded flowers is also crucial to ensure continuous blooming.

Necessary Tools

The tools you’ll need for pruning your geraniums depend on the size of your plants and the type of pruning you’re doing. For deadheading, you can use your fingers, scissors, or secateurs for a clean cut.

If you have larger perennials that have been growing for years, hand pruners are the way to go. Serious gardeners recommend Felco pruners for their durability, sharpness, and ergonomic design.

Felco F-2 Pruners: Invest in a pair of Felco F-2 pruners for long-lasting quality and performance.

Deadheading

Deadheading is an essential practice that encourages more blooms. When the flowers start to fade, it’s time to remove them to signal the plant to produce more flowers. Be ruthless in your deadheading schedule for best results.

To deadhead, snap the stem off below the flower head near the base of the stem. You can also use scissors or pruners for a clean cut. Regular deadheading will keep your geraniums blooming profusely.

Overwintered Plants

For geraniums overwintered indoors or as dormant plants, prune off all the flowers and flower stems, along with a third of the length of each stem, before winter. This reduces the burden on the roots and stems, ensuring healthy growth.

In the spring, trim away any dead tips or foliage to promote new growth. Don’t be alarmed by dead tissue, as new growth will emerge from the trimmed stems.

Annuals

Garden geraniums grown as annuals require minimal pruning during the growing season. Simply clip back any leggy growth or excessively long stems to maintain a pleasing shape. Remove any damaged or diseased stems for plant health.

At the end of the season, remove the plants from the garden to make space for new growth in the coming season.

Perennials

If you keep your geraniums year-round, whether indoors or outdoors, pruning in the spring and fall is essential. Perennials tend to become leggy over time, so shaping them is crucial for a tidy appearance and prolific flowering.

In the fall, cut the entire plant back by a third. Trim any crowded or crossing branches to maintain an open structure. In the spring, prune out leggy growth and do some light shaping to keep your plants looking their best.

Keep Your Geraniums in Tip-Top Shape

Geraniums are relatively low-maintenance plants, requiring minimal care to thrive. Knowing the pruning needs of your geraniums based on their growth habits and environment will ensure they continue to bloom beautifully.

Whether you’re growing geraniums in containers or in the ground, annuals or perennials, understanding how to prune them properly is key to their long-term success.

Share your geranium-growing experiences in the comments below! We’d love to hear about your gardening journey and any tips you have for keeping your geraniums happy and healthy.

For more information on growing geraniums, check out our other guides: