Many people wonder why their geraniums get leggy, especially if they keep them year after year. Geraniums are one of the most popular bedding plants, and while they are normally quite attractive, routine pruning may be necessary in order to keep them looking their best. This not only helps prevent overgrown geraniums but will also reduce or fix leggy geranium plants.
Causes of Leggy Geranium Plants
Most leggy growth on geraniums is the result of irregular pruning maintenance. Geraniums are naturally leggy, woody plants in the wild, but in our homes, we like them to be compact and bushy. In order to keep a geranium compact and bushy and prevent it from getting leggy, it needs to be pruned hard at least once a year. The more regularly you prune your geranium, the better able a geranium is able to keep a pleasing shape. Spindly geraniums can also be the result of poor light conditions. In addition to pruning, allowing more space between plants and locating them in full sun can oftentimes alleviate the problem. Excessive moisture is another cause of leggy geraniums. Geraniums should be planted in well-draining soil and should only be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. Overwatering geraniums can result in a stunted, sickly, and spindly geranium plant.
Pruning Leggy Geraniums
Not sure what to do with leggy geraniums? Try pruning. Prior to bringing plants indoors (usually late fall), you should cut back about a third of your spindly geraniums. Make sure you remove any unhealthy or dead stems as well. Pruning leggy geraniums also prevents them from becoming overgrown and unsightly. Pinching is another practice for fixing leggy plants. Normally this is done on established plants to produce bushier growth. It can be performed during active growth or just following pruning—once new growth has reached a few inches (8 cm.) high, pinch out about ½ to 1 inch (1-2.5 cm.) from the tips.
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FAQs
Geraniums tend normally to be a bit leggy as yours has become. To prevent it you would periodically pinch off just the growth tips as they form. This subsequently causes the plant to branch. By doing this as the plant develops you can control and direct the branching to keep the plant full and bushy.
How do you prune leggy overgrown geraniums? ›
Shape the Plant by Pruning
Use a pair of reliable shears to trim back perennial geraniums to 2 or 3 inches above the soil, cutting at nodes or new growth points when possible. Remove any leaves or additional flowers that remain. You'll end up with a fairly unattractive grouping of thick stems.
What to do if geraniums get leggy? ›
Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches to improve the overall appearance of the plant. Cut back the stems by at least half to stimulate new growth and more blooms. Use sharp and clean pruning shears to make clean cuts just above a leaf node or bud.
How do you revive woody geraniums? ›
How to Revive Geraniums After Dormancy
- Cut back the dead stem tips, and remove any excessively long roots.
- Bare-root plants can be soaked in water for several hours before potting to rehydrate the roots.
- Plant geraniums in pots 6 weeks before the last threat of frost.
Towards the end of summer, when the flowering is finishing, it's a great idea to give them a hard prune to stop them from becoming too leggy. Jane recommends pruning geraniums and pelargoniums back by between one third to one half during March or April.
How do I make my geraniums bushy? ›
Make sure you remove any unhealthy or dead stems as well. Pruning leggy geraniums also prevents them from becoming overgrown and unsightly. Pinching is another practice for fixing leggy plants. Normally this is done on established plants to produce bushier growth.
How do you rejuvenate geraniums? ›
Geraniums are likely to become tall and lanky by late winter. In March, prune back the plants. Cut the geraniums back by one-half to two-thirds. The geraniums will begin to grow again within a few days and should develop into attractive specimens by May.
How do you get full blooms on geraniums? ›
There are a few things that come to mind when Geraniums are not flowering. The water in the soil is not draining out properly and is keeping the soil too wet. It's not getting enough sun, Geraniums prefer 4 to 6 hours of sunlight. It needs a lot of solar energy to produce its flowers.
How can I improve my geraniums? ›
Geraniums need regular watering to bloom abundantly and without interruption. Use your fingers to find out if you need to water. If the soil feels dry and warm, your plants need watering. Why you can't rely on your eyes: Unlike other balcony flowers, it's hard to tell when geraniums are too dry.
Why are my geraniums not blooming full? ›
Q. WHY AREN'T MY GERANIUMS BLOOMING AS MUCH? A. The two most common reasons for geraniums not blooming prolifically are too little light or too much fertilizer.
Prolonged deficiency may lead to death of leaf tissue (necrosis) between the veins and leaves tend to curl downwards. Magnesium deficiency can be corrected by using magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts). Mix Epsom salt at the rate of one pound per 100 gallons of water and use as a drench.
What makes geraniums happy? ›
You see, one secret of geranium success is exposure to good, prolonged light. Give them generous sun for at least a half-day, and you're on your way to success.
Why are my geraniums struggling? ›
Geraniums do not like a lack of nutrients
If there is a lack of nutrients, their metabolism shuts down and they do not develop to their full potential. Geraniums are suffering from nutrient deficiency when their leaves turn pale yellow or reddish, and they may even fall off.
What is the lifespan of a geranium? ›
In general, geraniums can live for several years if they are grown in the appropriate conditions, such as well-drained soil, proper sunlight, and regular watering and fertilisation. They will also need to be protected from frost, and pests and diseases need to be controlled.
How far down do you cut geraniums? ›
Trim healthy flower stems.
This will activate dormant buds and you should see new growth in no time. If you don't want to make such a drastic cut, follow the flower stem back to 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) above the top of a node, which is a ring around the stem on a geranium. The new growth will sprout from the node.
What is the best fertilizer for geraniums in pots? ›
The recommendation for constant feed fertilizing of geraniums is generally 200 to 250 ppm of nitrogen. Experience suggests nutrient problems are minimized when a constant fertilizer program is used. Fertilizer types: 15-15-15 (Geranium Special), 15-16-17 Peat-lite, and 20-10-20 Peat-lite.
Can leggy geraniums be cut back? ›
Geraniums (these are actually pelargoniums) grow like crazy & need cutting back for good form & abundant bloom. Here's how to prune leggy, overgrown geraniums. This is great to do at the end of the season.
How do you fix lanky geraniums? ›
Trim off exceptionally long, lanky stems by one-third their length, snipping just above a node (the point where leaves grow from the stem). If your plant already has new shoots coming up from the base of the plant, removing gangly stems around it will give the fresh growth room to soak up the sun and flourish.
How do you get big geraniums to bloom? ›
1. Make sure your geranium gets enough sun. For the best-blooming potential, geraniums need sufficient sunlight (4 - 6 hours/day on average) during the summer. Bear in mind, too, that plants growing in extremes of sun or shade will perform better if you don't let the soil get parched.
