How to Take Cuttings from Geraniums (Pelargoniums)

Supplies

• Small flower pots with drainage holes
• Potting mix
• Drip tray
• Scalpel  or very fine, sharp knife
• Rubbing alcohol
• Large, clear food bags

Steps

The process for over propagating geranium cuttings is the same for many other plants as well.

How to Take Softwood Cuttings includes an illustrated guide in case you need more details.

Get Your Supplies Ready

• Have small pots filled with moist container mix ready on drip trays.
• Clean your scalpel or cutting knife blades with rubbing alcohol.

Take Cuttings

• From a healthy geranium (Pelargonium) plant, choose a stem that appears green (not woody).
• Just above some leaf nodes, cut off approximately 4 to 6-inches from a stem.

Prepare for Planting

• Remove any flower stems, flowers, or buds. You don’t want the plant putting energy into those just now.
• Remove any leaves from the bottom 2″.
• Keep the remaining leaves attached.
• Dip the base in rooting hormone powder.
• Tap off any excess powder.

Planting

• Use your finger or a dibber to make a hole in the container mix and insert the geranium stem.
• Careful not to push the rooting hormone powder away.
• Loosely fill hole with container mix around the stem.

You can put several cuttings in one pot. Place one along each inner side.

• Water the drip tray. Remove any excess water after 30 minutes.

Cover

• Loosely place plastic bag over top to retain humidity but allow air flow.

Location

• Keep in warm location. Avoid full sun until roots have formed (it usually takes a few weeks).
• Keep container mix moist but not soaking wet.

Growth

• In 6-8 weeks, you should notice roots forming. Geraniums grow long roots so you may see some at the holes in the bottom of the pot.
• You can also lightly pull on the stem to feel if roots are holding it in place.

Repot

• You can now repot each cutting into its own pot.

Where to Grow

• During winter, you can grow them as houseplants.
• In spring, after last frost, they can be gradually introduced to life outdoors.
  This shows How to Harden Off Plants for Life Outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1   When should you take geranium cuttings?

• You can take cuttings any time the plant is actively growing.
• You may want to take them in summer so you can get new plants started in pots outdoors.
• You can also take cuttings in fall and grow them indoors during the winter.

2   Can you root geranium cuttings in water?

This is not a good way to grow the cuttings. Geranium cuttings do best when planted in moist potting mix in pots.

3   How long does it take for geranium cuttings to root?

Depending on growing conditions time will vary, but you should notice new root growth in 6 to 8 weeks.

4   Can you keep a geranium in the winter?

Yes, there are several options for keeping geraniums over the winter:

1. Keep them as houseplants.
2. Grow cuttings.
3. Store potted geraniums in an above-freezing shed, garage, or basement.
4. Remove soil and store bare roots in cool, dark place.

5   My geranium cuttings are turning yellow. What is the problem?

Yellowing stems and leaves can have many different causes.

Here’s a few possibilities:

• Under or over-watering: lower leaves start yellowing first.
  This guide shows how to properly water houseplants and other potted plants.
  You can learn more here about overwatering plants.
• Exposure to cold temperatures (below 45°F or 7°C).
• Unhealthy plant.
• Nutrient deficiency in the potting mix.
  You could try repotting it in new potting mix or adding a slow-release organic fertilizer (follow instructions on label).

Bulbs, Flowers, Roses

The article linked below on Fertility Management lists the nutritional needs of geraniums.

Resources

• Growing Geraniums from Seed | Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County
• Fertility Management for Geraniums | North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
• Growing Geraniums | Iowa State University

I hope you will try growing geraniums from cuttings. It’s an easy way to get lots more free plants.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

Next

• How to Grow Clematis from Cuttings 
• How to Grow African Violets from Leaf Cuttings
• Seed Starting for Beginners