Here’s how to prune Geranium in March to delight you with abundant flowering and new inflorescences!

March is indeed a favorable time to prune geraniums, particularly as they’re coming out of their winter dormancy and preparing for a burst of new growth and flowering. Here’s a guide to help you prune your geraniums effectively:  

Why Prune in March?

• Promotes Bushier Growth:
  • Pruning encourages the geranium to branch out, resulting in a fuller, more compact plant.  
• Encourages Abundant Flowering:
  • By removing old growth, you stimulate the development of new flowering shoots.
• Removes Winter Damage:
  • March is a good time to trim away any dead or damaged stems that occurred during winter.
• Shape and Control:
  • Pruning helps to maintain the desired shape and size of your geranium.  

How to Prune:

1. Tools:
   • Use sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors to prevent damaging the plant and to minimize the risk of disease.
2. Removal of Dead and Damaged Growth:
   • Begin by removing any dead, withered, or diseased stems. Cut them back to healthy tissue.
3. Shaping and Thinning:
   • Cut back leggy or overgrown stems to create a more compact and balanced shape.
   • Thin out the plant by removing some of the inner stems to improve air circulation. This helps to prevent fungal diseases.
4. Pinching Back:
   • Pinch back the tips of healthy stems to encourage branching. This involves removing the top portion of the stem with your fingers or shears.  
5. Focus Areas:
   • Any stems that look weak, or that have grown excessively long.
   • Any areas where growth is very dense, to provide more airflow.

General Geranium Care Tips:

• Sunlight:
  • Geraniums need plenty of sunlight to thrive and bloom.  
• Watering:
  • Water your geraniums when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.  
• Fertilizing:
  • Feed your geraniums regularly with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth and flowering.  
• Deadheading:
  • Remove spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage continuous blooming.  

By following these pruning tips, you can help your geraniums flourish and reward you with a profusion of beautiful flowers throughout the growing season.