ðŸŒą PropagateDirectory
Plants / Geranium (Pelargonium)

Geranium (Pelargonium)

Pelargonium hortorum

Also known as: Zonal Geranium, Bedding Geranium

⚠ïļ Toxic to petsGeraniaceaeVery easy to propagate

A complete guide to growing and propagating Geranium (Pelargonium): its care needs, how to take cuttings and root them, how long propagation takes, and how to fix the most common problems.

Geranium (Pelargonium) care at a glance

☀ïļ Light
Full sun to part shade; at least 6 hours of light for best bloom.
💧 Water
Water when the top inch dries; let it dry slightly to avoid rot.
ðŸŠī Soil
Light, well-draining potting soil.
ðŸ’Ļ Humidity
Tender perennial hardy in zones 9-11; grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.
ðŸū Toxicity
Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA); geraniol and linalool cause vomiting, anorexia, and dermatitis.

Track your geranium (pelargonium) cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

Get SnipLog →

How to propagate Geranium (Pelargonium)

Softwood cuttings

Difficulty: Very easyTimeline: Roots in 2-4 weeks; pot on once rooted.
  1. Cut a 4-inch non-flowering tip just below a node.
  2. Strip the lower leaves and let the cut end callus for a few hours.
  3. Optionally dip in rooting hormone, then insert into gritty, barely moist mix.
  4. Keep bright and airy; geranium cuttings rot in overly wet, humid conditions.
  5. Pot on once rooted.

Water (stem cuttings)

Difficulty: EasyTimeline: Roots in 2-3 weeks; pot up once roots reach 1-2 inches.
  1. Take a 4-inch tip cutting below a node and remove the lower leaves.
  2. Set the node in a glass of water on a bright sill.
  3. Change the water every few days.
  4. Pot up once roots appear.

Common Geranium (Pelargonium) problems & fixes

Cuttings rot before they root

Too wet or no airflow. Use a free-draining mix, water sparingly, and vent the humidity cover daily.

Cuttings wilt after taking them

Normal at first — keep humidity high under a dome, out of direct sun, until roots form and perk them up.

Powdery mildew on leaves

Poor airflow and damp foliage. Space plants out, water at the base, and improve circulation.

Track your geranium (pelargonium) cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

Get SnipLog →

Toxicity notes are a general guide based on ASPCA-style classifications — if a pet ingests any houseplant, contact your vet. Care needs vary with your home's conditions.