Geraniums are a favorite for filling a planter, hanging basket, or garden bed with brightly-colored flowers. These easy-to-grow plants bloom in reds, pinks, oranges, purples, and whites for months at a time. Geraniums are also easy to root in water to make more of them for your garden or to overwinter them.
Although typically grown as annuals, geraniums (Pelargonium) are perennials in their native range in southern Africa. But these plants won't survive winter if you live somewhere colder than USDA hardiness zones 10 or 11. Keep them going until you can grow them outdoors again by learning how to propagate geraniums in water.
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When Should I Take a Cutting of My Geranium?
Early spring and late summer are the best times to take a cutting of your geraniums. This is when the plant tends not to be in full bloom. Even though this is the ideal time, a cutting can be taken whenever you want. In warm regions, you could even root geranium cuttings during the winter months (in colder areas, you could propagate indoor geraniums). It can take cuttings a few months to begin producing blooms.
How to Propagate Geranium Cuttings in Water
- Choose a CuttingFind the perfect stem to snip. The ideal cutting will come from a branch that's healthy and strong. Skip stems with discolored or wilted leaves. Don't go for spindly, weak stems, and avoid the oldest branches, too.The 12 Best Pruning Shears of 2024 to Keep Your Garden in Check
Choose a Cutting
Find the perfect stem to snip. The ideal cutting will come from a branch that's healthy and strong. Skip stems with discolored or wilted leaves. Don't go for spindly, weak stems, and avoid the oldest branches, too.
- Snip the StemUsing clean shears or garden scissors, cut right above the node that connects the geranium stem you want to the rest of the plant. Aim to get a cutting that's 4 to 6 inches in length. Any longer and the cutting won't root well. If the cutting does survive, it will become a leggy plant with less foliage.How to Store Garden Tools During the Winter to Prevent Rusting
Snip the Stem
Using clean shears or garden scissors, cut right above the node that connects the geranium stem you want to the rest of the plant. Aim to get a cutting that's 4 to 6 inches in length. Any longer and the cutting won't root well. If the cutting does survive, it will become a leggy plant with less foliage.
- Trim the LeavesOnce you've created your cutting, remove all of the leaves on the length except for a few at the top of the stem. You don't want to submerge any leaves in water, which could cause them to rot.
Trim the Leaves
Once you've created your cutting, remove all of the leaves on the length except for a few at the top of the stem. You don't want to submerge any leaves in water, which could cause them to rot.
- Add Stem to WaterPlace your cutting in a small jar or vase with the cut side down. Place enough water in the vessel to cover a few inches of the stem but not any of the leaves. Change the water in the container every 3-5 days. Stagnant or murky water can lead to rot.Test Garden TipGive your cutting an extra boost by dipping the end into rooting hormone. This encourages new root growth while increasing your propagation's success rate.
Add Stem to Water
Place your cutting in a small jar or vase with the cut side down. Place enough water in the vessel to cover a few inches of the stem but not any of the leaves. Change the water in the container every 3-5 days. Stagnant or murky water can lead to rot.
Test Garden Tip
Give your cutting an extra boost by dipping the end into rooting hormone. This encourages new root growth while increasing your propagation's success rate.
- Move Rooted Stem to SoilAfter your cutting has formed new roots in about four weeks, move it into a container filled with fresh potting soil. Make sure the container has drainage holes to help prevent root rot from too much moisture. Once planted, your rooted geranium cutting will need the same care you would give any other geranium plant in your garden.
Move Rooted Stem to Soil
After your cutting has formed new roots in about four weeks, move it into a container filled with fresh potting soil. Make sure the container has drainage holes to help prevent root rot from too much moisture. Once planted, your rooted geranium cutting will need the same care you would give any other geranium plant in your garden.
Pelargonium vs. Geranium
There are several different types of these plants, including zonal geraniums, ivy geraniums, scented geraniums, and regal geraniums. All belong to the genus Pelargonium, but they usually go by the common name geranium. However, there is also a genus Geranium, which includes a different group of more distantly related plants known as cranesbills or hardy geraniums. Over 250 years ago, a botanist named Charles L'Heritier distinguished the two species after Linnaeus had lumped them together, but the umbrella term of geranium stuck.
Propagate These Houseplants for More Greenery
Propagating is an economical way to grow more plants and add natural elements indoors. You can also share propagated plants with others to give them additional greenery for their homes. Snake plants can be propagated easily, though some of their coloring will differ on divided specimens. Spider plants produce baby plants that dangle from the mother plant and can be planted in soil. Popular philodendron can be propagated, too—all you need is a cup of water to grow them.