- How often do you have to water the cranesbill?
- Do you have to fertilize the cranesbill? If so, when and with what?
- Can the cranesbill also be cultivated in a bucket?
- When and how is the cranesbill cut?
- How can the cranesbill be stimulated to flower a second time?
- Which diseases/pests are common in cranesbills?
- Is the cranesbill hardy?
- Care instructions for individual cranesbill species
The popular cranesbill (geranium, not to be confused with the no less popular balcony plant geranium!) is sometimes quite demanding in terms of location, but all the easier to care for. You only have to be careful when it comes to moisture, because some cranesbill species need a lot of water, while others like it rather dry.

How often do you have to water the cranesbill?
The water requirements of the individual cranesbill species sometimes differ greatly from each other. Please refer to the table below for more details.
Do you have to fertilize the cranesbill? If so, when and with what?
Basically, the cranesbill only needs to be fertilized at the beginning of the vegetation period with a liquid complete fertilizer or perennial fertilizer.
Can the cranesbill also be cultivated in a bucket?
Many cranesbill species can be cultivated wonderfully in a bucket, provided you ensure good drainage in the pot. Be sure to water and fertilize the plant regularly.
When and how is the cranesbill cut?
Actually, pruning is not necessary, but it can stimulate the growth of the plant. You can see how each species is cut from the table below.
How can the cranesbill be stimulated to flower a second time?
Some cranesbill species can be stimulated to a second flowering period by pruning after flowering.
Which diseases/pests are common in cranesbills?
The cranesbill is a very robust plant and is rarely attacked by pests or fungi.
Is the cranesbill hardy?
As a native perennial, the cranesbill is absolutely hardy.
Care instructions for individual cranesbill species
Cranesbill Art | Latin designation | water demand | particularities |
---|---|---|---|
Cambridge cranesbill | Geranium cantabrigiense | water when dry | cut back in spring |
Gray cranesbill | Geranium cinereum | rather dry | cut back in spring |
Clarke's cranesbill | Geranium clarkei | moderately moist | cut back after flowering |
Rozanne | Geranium x cultorum | moderately moist | support older plants |
Himalayan Cranesbill | Geranium himalayense | moderately moist | cut back after flowering |
Heartleaf cranesbill | Geranium ibericum | rather dry | cut back in spring |
Rock Cranesbill | Geranium macrorrhizum | moderately moist | water when dry |
Magnificent cranesbill | Geranium magnificum | moderately dry | Cut back foliage to the ground in winter |
Knotty Mountain Forest Cranesbill | Geranium nodosum | dry to moist | Cut back dead leaves in fall |
Oxford cranesbill | Geranium oxonianum | wet | cut back after flowering |
Brown cranesbill | Geranium phaeum | wet | support older plants |
Armenian cranesbill | Geranium psilostemon | moderately moist | support older plants |
Caucasus cranesbill | Geranium renardii | dry | tolerates a lot of drought |
Bloody Cranesbill | Geranium sanguineum | moderately dry | Cut back dead leaves in fall |
Siberian cranesbill | Geranium wlassovianum | dry to moderately dry | Cut back wilted leaves to the ground in autumn |
tips
Be sure to water newly planted cranesbills vigorously. Water the plants until they are strong and able to take care of themselves.