Petals & Roots: How to Make More Geranium Plants for Free
I don’t think geraniums will ever go out of style. I have so many of them all over my kitchen, patio and workshop. And yet, I’ve only ever bought two, because they are one of the easiest plants to multiply yourself.
If you’re a beginner gardener and you’ve never tried to propagate anything before, this is a great plant to start with. Geraniums or pelargoniums rarely ever fail, and they are so hardy that they will survive outside in cold temperatures and harsher weather, as long as they are protected from frost.
If you want more of these beautiful, timeless plants without having to pay for them, here is how to propagate them. In this episode of Petals & Roots, I’ll show you exactly how to take cuttings and plant them to grow more of these timeless favorites without spending a dime.
What You Need to Take and Plant Geranium Cuttings
How To Take Geranium Cuttings
Taking geranium or pelargonium cuttings is a simple job that takes just a few minutes, and it’s a great way to create new plants to enjoy next year.
Start by selecting a healthy, non-flowering shoot around 3 to 4 inches long. Using a sharp pair of snips or shears, cut just below a leaf node.
This is the point on the stem where two sets of leaves appear.
Next, remove the lower leaves, leaving a few at the top of the cutting. If there are any flowers or buds, pinch those off too. We do this so that the cutting can put all its energy into making new roots rather than flowers.
Fill your pots with fresh potting compost and make a small hole in the center with a pencil or dibber. Then gently insert the cutting and firm the compost around it.
Give your cuttings a light watering and place them somewhere bright but out of direct sunlight. They love the heat, so a greenhouse is an ideal place for them. Otherwise, you can bring them into your home and keep in a warm, bright room.
They will survive well outside, but are frost tender, so it’s useful to know how to overwinter geraniums to take best care of your cuttings.
One of the reasons I love taking geranium cuttings is because you’re creating the next generation of a favourite plant to grow on or gift to someone else. Some of my favorite geraniums were grown from cuttings given to me by close friends or older family members, giving these plants extra special meaning.
In a few weeks, they should start to develop roots, and before long you’ll have healthy young plants ready to grow on. You can easily see when roots have developed, because your cuttings will have put on lots of new growth along the stem, and some may have even produced clusters of flowers.
Even the smallest geranium cuttings can produce blooms, which look particularly charming when displayed on a kitchen table.
It’s one of the most satisfying ways to multiply your favourite plants, and the best part is that it costs nothing.
What to Shop
Set of 2 Aged Terracotta Pots
Fiskars 8 Inch Bypass Pruner
Solera™ Red Geranium Plant
Petals & Roots is a weekly video series fronted by me, Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. Every weekend on social, I share my seasonal gardening and flower arranging expertise and advice.
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