How do I Prune Geraniums in Australia?

Geraniums are beautiful flowers that are robust growers. Although they prefer cool and temperate environments, their ability to handle varied abuses makes them a great garden flower, from the temperate regions of Australia to the harsher areas. Because geraniums grow freely and tend to sprawl, they may need to be trimmed back and put in their proper place frequently. To prevent them from taking over your garden and keep them producing beautiful flowers for years to come, your Australian geraniums should be trimmed yearly.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Pruning shears
• Rubbing alcohol

1. Prune your Australian geraniums in mid-February to allow for maximum growth next year.
2. Sterilize your pruning shears by wiping them with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol. Rinse them clean with cool water. This will kill bacteria that could cause an infection in the wounds of the geraniums after pruning.
3. Cut back the geranium stems with your shears by one-half to two-thirds their original length.
4. Trim out any dead flowers or leaves by cutting them off with your shears.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t throw away your cut stems when you are finished pruning. Because the Australian climate is often harsh, propagate your stems instead so that you have backup geraniums if one of your plants dies. Cut the stems down to 10 centimeters in length and stick their ends into a propagation mix. Keep them lightly watered, and transplant them when they outgrow their pots. Alternatively, keep them in their pots and give them as gifts.