Pelargonium
An ornamental plant, sown in February.
In September: protect the pelargonium over winter.
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Pelargonium, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none |
| Feed the pelargonium. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual |
| Pinch out the tips of the pelargonium. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none |
| Deadhead the pelargonium. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual |
| Protect the pelargonium over winter. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Prune the pelargonium. | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover in February, 5mm deep. Moderate sources: RHS and Mr Fothergill’s.
Plant out in May, 45cm apart. Moderate sources: RHS and Sarah Raven.
Feed the pelargonium
Balanced liquid feed every 10-14 days; once flowers form, switch to a high-potassium feed like tomato feed.
Usually March to August. Moderate source: RHS.
Pinch out the tips of the pelargonium
Pinch back the shoot tips, including young trailing ivy-leaved kinds, so they branch further.
Usually March to June. Moderate source: RHS.
Deadhead the pelargonium
Usually June to August. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Protect the pelargonium over winter
Bring pots under cover, and lift and pot plants growing in the ground, before the first frosts.
Usually September to November. Moderate source: RHS.
Prune the pelargonium
If space under cover is short, cut the plants back to 10cm. From RHS.
Usually October. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
What the source words mean
Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Pelargonium” comes from.