When to plant and prune Pelargonium (bedding geranium)
Pelargonium (bedding geranium) flowers from late May to late September and the dates below cover planting, flowering and the pruning window.
Planting, flowering and pruning by region
Pelargonium (bedding geranium) is frost-tender, so its timings shift across the UK. Plot works them out from the Midlands and Lowland Wales baseline using Met Office average frost dates.
| Where you are | Plant | In flower | Prune |
|---|---|---|---|
| South West Coast and Cornwall | late April to mid May | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| South Coast and Channel | early May to late May | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| Greater London (Urban Heat Island) | late April to mid May | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| South East and Home Counties | mid May to early June | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| East Anglia | late May to mid June | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| Midlands and Lowland Wales | late May to mid June | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| Wales and West Coast | mid May to early June | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| Northern England | early June to late June | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| Scotland Lowlands and Central Belt | mid June to early July | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| Scotland Highlands and Islands | early July to late July | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| Northern Ireland | late May to mid June | late May to late September | late May to late September |
| Channel Islands and Isle of Man | mid April to early May | late May to late September | late May to late September |
Growing notes
Evergreen half-hardy perennials grown as summer bedding. Harden off for about two weeks and plant out only after the frosts - not usually before the end of May, or early to mid-June in Scotland. Most flower best in full sun, though Regal types prefer partial shade. Heat- and drought-tolerant, so ideal for hot balconies and south-facing pots.
At a glance
- Spacing
- 30 cm between plants
- Eventual height
- 45 cm
- Eventual spread
- 35 cm
- Hardiness
- H3
- Sun
- Full
- Frost tender
- Yes
- Grows in a container
- Yes, 5 litres or more
- Balcony rating
- 5 out of 5
Feeding
Balanced liquid feed every 10-14 days in spring, switching to a high-potassium feed fortnightly once flowering begins.
Pruning: what to avoid
Do not overwater. Pelargoniums are heat- and drought-tolerant and are far more often killed by soggy compost than by dryness - water moderately and let the surface dry between waterings.
Pruning group
Deadhead regularly to promote further flowering, and pinch out shoot tips in spring and early summer for bushier plants
Winter protection
Half-hardy. Bring plants under cover before the frosts and keep them frost-free over winter - as whole plants, bare-rooted, or as late-summer cuttings - or simply treat them as annuals and buy fresh each spring.
What usually goes wrong
- grey mould in damp conditions
- pelargonium rust
- viruses in old stock
- vine weevil in containers
- whitefly and leafhopper
- leafy gall
Related guides
Timings cross-checked against RHS guidance for pelargonium (bedding geranium).