Geraniums are some of the most popular houseplants and bedding plants out there. They’re easy to maintain, tough, and very prolific. They’re also very easy to propagate. Keep reading to learn more about geranium plant propagation, particularly how to start geranium cuttings.
Taking Geranium Plant Cuttings
Starting geraniums from cuttings is very easy. One major bonus is the fact that geraniums have no dormant period. They grow continuously throughout the year, which means they can be propagated at any time with no need to wait for a particular time of year, like with most plants. It is better, however, to wait for a lull in the plant’s blooming cycle.
When taking cuttings from geranium plants, cut with a pair of sharp shears just above a node, or a swollen part of the stem. Cutting here will encourage new growth on the mother plant. On your new cutting, make another cut just below a node, so that the length from the leafy tip to the node at the base is between 4 and 6 inches (10-15 cm.). Strip off all but the leaves on the tip. This is what you’ll be planting.
Rooting Cuttings from Geranium Plants
While 100% success is unlikely, geranium plant cuttings take root very well and don’t need any herbicide or fungicide. Simply stick your cutting in a pot of warm, damp, sterile potting soil. Water thoroughly and place the pot in a bright location out of direct sunlight. Don’t cover the pot, as geranium plant cuttings are prone to rotting. Water the pot whenever the soil feels dry.
After just a week or two, your geranium plant cuttings should have taken root. If you want to plant your cuttings directly in the ground, let them sit in the open air for three days first. This way the cut tip will start to form a callus, which will help defend against fungus and rot in the non-sterile garden soil.
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