Meadow geranium
Geranium pratense · Geraniaceae
📷 W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant meadow geranium: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Type
- Perennial herbaceous plant
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to August
- Flower color
- Blue-violet or pink depending on varieties
- Mature size
- 60 to 80 cm tall
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Asia
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Meadow geranium is robust and spreads naturally. Water regularly in summer, especially during heat waves.
The common mistake
Forgetting summer pruning: the plant exhausts itself, flowers become rare and tiny, and it ages poorly.
The pro's trick
End of July, after the first bloom, prune hard (15 cm): within three weeks it covers itself with new stems and flowers non-stop from August to October.
Care
Light exposure
Meadow geranium thrives in full sun and tolerates partial shade. In very hot regions, partial shade protects the flowers from fading. Place it in a bright location to encourage generous and prolonged flowering.
Watering
Water regularly during growth and flowering to keep the soil moist, without waterlogging. Once established, meadow geranium tolerates dry periods well. Gradually reduce watering in autumn.
Soil
Prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter. This plant adapts to most soils, even chalky ones. Improve poor soils by adding compost or potting soil at planting time.
Pruning and cutting
Pinch young stems to encourage bushy, branching growth. After flowering, you can cut the plant back by half to rejuvenate the foliage. Remove spent flowers to extend summer blooming.
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer applied in spring is generally sufficient. If the soil is poor, apply flowering plant fertilizer in June. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would stimulate foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
Meadow geranium is quite robust. Watch for slugs and snails that can damage young leaves. In case of excessive humidity, fungal diseases may appear; improve air circulation and reduce watering.
Did you know?
Meadow geranium is a wildflower highly appreciated by pollinators, particularly wild bees and butterflies. Historically, this plant was traditionally used in European folk medicine for its astringent properties. The name Geranium means 'crane's beak' in Greek, referring to the characteristic shape of its fruit which resembles the elongated beak of this bird.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Bloody Crane's-billGeranium sanguineum
- Rock crane's-billGeranium macrorrhizum
- French crane's-billGeranium endressii
- Purple-vein geraniumGeranium wallichianum
- Himalayan crane's-billGeranium himalayense
- Iberian geraniumGeranium ibericum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.