How to Grow Geranium in Pots: October Cuttings to Winter Flowers (Video)

Transcript

Can you get geranium flowers from a simple October cutting?

Can you get geranium flowers from a simple October cutting?

Winter Geraniums

Stay tuned, because the trick that guarantees winter blooms from a simple October cutting shows up at the end.

Which geranium?

First, let’s clear up a common mix-up. The balcony geranium you see in nurseries is actually a Pelargonium, not the hardy true Geranium. These have those classic round flower clusters in shades of red, pink, and white, plus ivy-leaf and scented varieties like rose or lemon scented ones.

October cuttings

The most reliable way to get winter flowers is to take cuttings in October. Snap 8-10 cm tips from healthy, non-flowering stems just below a leaf joint, strip away everything except the top two or three leaves, and let the cut end dry for a day. Then push each cutting about three centimeters deep into a small pot filled with a half-sand, half-cocopeat mix and give it a single watering.

Dry-end rule

Here’s where it gets interesting: geranium stems are fleshy, so if you plant them straight into wet soil they often blacken at the base within a week. Letting the cut end dry for a day creates a natural seal that prevents rot. After that, plant the cutting in a mix that’s only lightly damp, no rooting hormone required.

Soil, sun & water

Now, what does the plant need to thrive? Mix two parts garden soil with one part compost and one part sand or brick grit, drainage beats richness here. In the plains give it at least four to six hours of direct winter sun, then switch to morning sun only once spring arrives. Water only when the top three centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch; this dry-between-water routine keeps the roots happy.

Fertiliser & pruning

Feeding is simple: use a balanced fertilizer, equal nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, at half the label strength every two to three weeks from November through March. Switch to a potash-heavier mix once buds appear, and stop feeding altogether in summer. For shape and bud development, prune hard in late September or early October, cutting each stem back a third to a half, then pinch the growing tips again in November for a bushier look.

The one trick for winter blooms

And here’s the single most useful tip you’ll want to remember: always let the cut ends dry for a full day before you plant them. That simple pause stops the stems from rotting, encourages quicker root formation, and sets you up for a spectacular winter display from December through April.

Like, subscribe and comment

If this helped, a like and a subscribe really help. Drop your question in the comments.

Read the full guide

The full guide is on thecareonline.com. General information only, so check with your doctor for your own case.