Small-flowered Crane's-bill
Geranium pusillum · Geraniaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant small-flowered crane's-bill: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to September
- Mature size
- 15 to 30 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to -15°C
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Western Asia
- Soil type
- Well-draining, light to medium
Care
Light exposure
Slender geranium thrives in sun or partial shade. A sunny location promotes abundant flowering and better compactness. In very warm regions, afternoon shade is beneficial.
Watering
Water regularly during growth and flowering periods to keep the soil moist without excess. Reduce watering in winter. Avoid waterlogging which promotes rot.
Soil
Plant in well-draining, light and fertile soil. Adding compost or organic matter at planting time improves structure. Slender geranium tolerates poor soils but prefers a slightly richer substrate.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch the stem tips in spring to encourage branching. Remove faded flowers regularly to extend flowering. In late winter, prune moderately to rejuvenate the plant.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer every 15 days during the flowering period. Moderate feeding is sufficient; excess nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
Watch for powdery mildew in humid and dry conditions. Spider mites can occasionally cause problems in dry environments. Improve air circulation and avoid excessive foliage moisture.
Did you know?
Slender geranium is a small inconspicuous plant that grows spontaneously in the gaps between paving stones and wastelands across Europe. Its tiny pale pink flowers, produced abundantly, make it an excellent wild groundcover and an ally for late-cutting meadows or semi-natural spaces that support biodiversity.
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
- Meadow geraniumGeranium pratense
- Bloody Crane's-billGeranium sanguineum
- Rock crane's-billGeranium macrorrhizum
- French crane's-billGeranium endressii
- Purple-vein geraniumGeranium wallichianum
- Himalayan crane's-billGeranium himalayense
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.