
Geraniums are known for their vibrant blossoms and easygoing nature. But just like any other plant, they need a little TLC from time to time. Pruning your geraniums is a simple yet essential part of their care, helping them flourish and keeping your garden looking fantastic. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to prune geraniums, from the right time to do it to the tools you’ll need, step-by-step guidance, and tips for post-winter care.
When to Prune Geraniums
Pruning geraniums is all about timing. Depending on your geranium type and local climate, the when varies. In mild climates, year-round pruning is possible, just avoid excessive cuts.
For Perennial Geraniums, trim them in late fall or early spring, about 2-3 inches from the ground. This encourages new spring growth.
Annual Geraniums also benefit from late winter or early spring pruning, about 6 inches from the base, and remove any dead or damaged parts. Remember, don’t trim during full bloom to keep those blooms vibrant.
The Tools You’ll Need
Pruning geraniums doesn’t require a ton of equipment. In fact, you’ll likely have most of the tools needed lying around the house. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pruning Shears or Scissors: Make sure they’re clean and sharp. This will help you get clean cuts without damaging the plant.
- Gloves: Gardening gloves or even simple work gloves will protect your hands from thorns and sticky sap.
- Bucket or Bag: To collect the trimmings as you go. This keeps your garden tidy and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Rubbing Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide: Use it to sterilize your pruning tools before and after use. This prevents the spread of diseases between plants.

How to Prune Geraniums – Step-by-Step Guide
Pruning geraniums might sound like an intricate task, but it’s quite straightforward. Follow these steps, and you’ll be a geranium pruning pro in no time:
Step 1: Preparation
Start by sterilizing your pruning shears or scissors with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. This minimizes the risk of spreading diseases between plants. Then, put on your gloves to protect your hands from thorns and sap.
Step 2: Assess Your Geraniums
Before you start snipping away, take a close look at your geraniums. Identify any dead or yellowing leaves, spent blossoms, or leggy stems. These are the parts that definitely need pruning.
Step 3: Remove Dead or Yellowing Leaves
Begin by cutting off any dead or yellowing leaves. Make a clean cut as close to the base of the stem as possible without damaging the healthy growth. These leaves not only look unsightly but also leech energy from the plant.
Step 4: Deadheading Geraniums
Pinching off spent blossoms is a fantastic way to encourage new growth. Simply pinch the old blooms between your fingers and give them a gentle tug. They should come off easily. If they’re stubborn, use your pruning shears.
Step 5: Trim Leggy Stems
For leggy stems or long, unruly growth, trim them back to encourage a bushier, more compact plant. Cut just above a set of leaves or leaf nodes, and the plant will respond by growing in that area.

Pruning Geraniums After Winter Dormancy
If your geraniums have been through a long, cold winter, they might not look their best. But don’t worry, with a little care and some well-timed pruning, they’ll bounce back beautifully.
- Wait for Spring to Sprout: After a winter’s dormancy, geraniums may look a bit ragged, and some stems might not have survived. Wait until you see new green growth before pruning. This is a sign that your geranium is ready to wake up and start the growing season.
- Remove Dead or Damaged Stems: Once the new growth appears, assess the plant for any dead or damaged stems. Carefully trim these away to give the healthy growth a chance to shine.
- Trim Back Overly Long Stems: If you notice any stems that have grown excessively long or leggy over the winter, trim them back to encourage a more compact, bushy shape. Aim to cut just above a set of healthy leaves.
Pruning Geraniums That Are Wintered Alive
For those geraniums that stay green year-round, either in the ground or containers, pruning them requires a late fall touch-up or just before bringing them indoors. If you’re planning to bring them inside, this is the perfect time to prune. Trim your geranium back by one-third to one-half, giving extra attention to woody or leggy stems. This keeps them healthy and ready for the next season.
- Assess the Growth: If they’ve grown tall and spindly, it’s time for a trim. Identify any dead or yellowing leaves and leggy stems that need attention.
- Prune Dead or Yellowing Leaves: As usual, start by snipping off any dead or yellowing leaves. This will help improve the overall appearance of your geranium.
Aftercare and Maintenance
Your job isn’t over once you’ve pruned your geraniums. To keep them healthy and thriving, you’ll need to follow up with some aftercare and regular maintenance.
Watering: Geraniums prefer to be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Make sure they’re well-drained, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Fertilizing: Feed your geraniums with a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer during the growing season, typically every 2 weeks.
Pest Control: Keep an eye out for common geranium pests like aphids and whiteflies. Use natural or chemical solutions as needed to keep these critters at bay.
Sunlight: Geraniums love sunlight, so place them in a spot where they can enjoy at least 6 hours of bright, direct sunlight daily.

Conclusion
Pruning your geraniums is a bit like giving your favorite houseplant a spa day. It keeps them looking their best, encourages new growth, and ultimately ensures you’ll enjoy a season full of vibrant, beautiful blooms. So grab your tools, don your gloves, and get to work!
Frequently Asked Questions
To make perennial potted geraniums happy, grab some good shears and give them a short trim, like 2-3 inches above the ground, focusing on those new growth spots. Don’t sweat it if they look a bit messy afterward – it’s all part of the process.
How to prune geraniums in spring?
Once the new growth appears, assess the plant for any dead or damaged stems. Carefully trim these away to give the healthy growth a chance to shine. If you notice any stems that have grown excessively long or leggy over the winter, trim them back to encourage a more compact, bushy shape. Aim to cut just above a set of healthy leaves.
Should geraniums be cut back?
Early-flowering perennials, like geraniums and delphiniums, get a double haircut for their best performance. Trim them close to the ground after the first bloom to stimulate new growth and a second show in late summer. Then, give them another round of pruning in autumn or spring for a tidy start to the new season.
How do you make geraniums bushy?
To keep your geranium looking lush and full, don’t be shy with the pruning shears – give it a good, hard prune at least once a year. Regular pruning works wonders to maintain its shape. And remember, if your geranium looks spindly, it might be craving more light.