How to grow cranesbill (Geranium)

Geranium · hardy geranium

Cranesbill (Geranium) — the true Geranium, a hardy perennial that forms clumps or mounds about 30–50 cm high of lobed leaves with five-petalled blue, violet, pink or white flowers from late spring. Not the pot "geranium", which is Pelargonium. Cranesbill grows best in full sun. Water it about every 7 days while it grows.

Updated: October 28, 2026

When to plant cranesbill?

It tolerates light frost: plant divisions into the bed about three weeks before your last spring frost.

It flowers about 47 days after growth starts and keeps flowering for about 60 days.

Frost dates · When to plant

Quick facts

Type	Flower
Latin name	Geranium
Family	Geraniaceae
Also called	hardy geranium
Planted as	divisions
Life span	perennial
Planting season	spring
Light	Full sun
Frost	tolerates light frost
Soil for planting	from 5 °C
First flowers	47 days after growth starts
Flowering lasts	60 days
Grown in	Open ground

How long does cranesbill take from planting to flowering?

From planting to the first flowers: about 47 days, or 7 weeks.

Step	Day
Planting	0
Growth starts	0
First flowers	47
End of flowering	107

Days count from the day of sowing or planting, by the figures of the card.

Where does cranesbill grow?

4,459,994 records of the plant in gardens, fields and the wild worldwide; most photos come from United Kingdom, United States, Russia, France, and Germany.

World map: where cranesbill has been recorded — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: Shannon Baskett, Kayla Schmid, Maria Kohanovskaya, grillofranco019, julio Gómez Aranda, Corin, Ian Dickie (CC BY / CC0).

Cranesbill, United Kingdom — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: Shannon Baskett, Kayla Schmid, Maria Kohanovskaya, grillofranco019, julio Gómez Aranda, Corin, Ian Dickie (CC BY / CC0).

Cranesbill care by growth stage

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	—
Flowering	every 7 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Most border kinds flower best in sun or light afternoon shade; some, such as G. phaeum and G. macrorrhizum, grow well in shade. Small silver-leaved alpine kinds need full sun.

Soil

Almost any garden soil that is not waterlogged in winter, including clay; best in moist soil rich in organic matter. On heavy clay plant in early spring, as autumn plantings may rot over winter.

Care

Water new plants until they establish through their first summer; established clumps tolerate some drought, and in a dry spell one thorough soak is better than frequent sips. Feeding is rarely needed; mulch with compost. Deadheading is not needed — after the first flush, often in June or July, cut summer kinds back to the ground (the "Hampton hack") for fresh leaves and often more flowers. Divide clumps in spring every few years. In dry weather watch for powdery mildew; leaf spots and rust can appear, and potted plants may get vine weevil.

Pests and diseases of Cranesbill

2 problems are recorded for cranesbill; each has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Diseases

Rust

Pests

Vine weevil

Other plants of the Geraniaceae family

Cranesbill belongs to Geraniaceae; 1 other plant of this family has a guide here.

GeraniumPelargonium hortorum

Plant lists it is in

Cold-hardy crops for early spring

Part of: Garden flowers · Perennial garden flowers

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.