Successful Pelargonium Cuttings: Our Illustrated Guide

Easy to grow and just as easy to propagate, Pelargoniums, or balcony geraniums, adorn our balconies and gardens with just a bit of elbow grease. Pelargoniums are non-hardy perennial plants, grown as annuals. Whether scented, zonal or ivy-leaved, there are many varieties to delight gardeners.

With its vibrant-coloured flowers and trailing habit, the ivy-leaved geranium ‘King of Balconies’ is one of the best-known in the pelargonium family. Those who love fragrances may prefer the scented Pelargoniums and their palette of aromas, ranging from lemongrass to rose. As for the zonal pelargoniums, they charm with their rounded leaves marked by a darker zone, and their upright habit, making them resemble small flowering bushes.

Discover our tips for taking beautiful Pelargonium cuttings to adorn windows, balconies or gardens.

how to take cuttings from scented ivy zonal pelargoniums

Taking cuttings is a great way to multiply your Pelargoniums

→ Also discover our complete guide on Pelargonium

When to take Pelargonium cuttings?

Pelargonium cuttings are taken in July and August.

How to take Pelargonium cuttings?

Cut, from a healthy pelargonium, using secateurs, a current year’s stem, without flowers, 10 cm long, just below a node.
Remove all leaves from the stem, except the top two leaves.

taking pelargonium cuttings

Make a clean diagonal cut at the base of the stem and lightly score it with a clean, disinfected knife.
Plant the stem in a perforated tray, or individual buckets filled with a mix of turf and sand or a special cutting compost. Insert the stem halfway into the mix. Firm gently with your fingers and space each cutting 10 cm apart.

Water generously.
Cover the container with a lid or plastic bag and place in a bright, dry spot at 12-15°C.
Ensure the substrate stays moist all winter, but never waterlogged, to avoid rotting the cuttings.
At the end of winter, carefully transplant the young plants that have rooted into individual buckets.
Move outdoors from mid-May, after the last frosts, in pots or directly in well-drained soil in a sunny spot.