Flowers

How to Grow Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill): Planting, Spacing, Care & Bloom

Quick answer

Fall sow outdoors for wild geranium without artificial stratification (Wisconsin). Divide roots in early spring or fall (WI; Clemson every 2–4 years). No indoor Start frost-week integer is sourced. Not the same plant as bedding geranium (Pelargonium).

Hardy geranium at a glance

PlantFall sow: last frost
SunPart shade to sun with moisture; rich loamy organic soil (NC).
SpacingWI: mound 12–28 inches tall; spread 12–18 inches.
Days to harvestLate spring–early summer ~1 month (WI)
-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Hardy geranium / cranesbill (Geranium spp., e.g. G. maculatum) — true geranium. Not bedding / zonal geranium (Pelargonium). See bedding geranium for Pelargonium.

Wild geranium
Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum). Photo: Cbaile19, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (resized).

Sourced from university extension guides. For dates where you live, use the ZIP planting planner.

Planting timing

Wisconsin (G. maculatum): “Sowing outdoors in the fall is an easy way to propagate… without… artificial stratification.” “Divide roots in early spring or fall, cutting them where they form right angles.” (Wisconsin wild geranium) Clemson: Cranesbill (Geranium) — every 2 to 4 years; spring or fall. (Clemson dividing perennials) Iowa State: hardy geranium — spring or late summer/fall. No indoor Start frost weeks are sourced — do not invent. Planner: Fall sow around first frost 0 (Wisconsin outdoor fall sow).

Depth and spacing

WI: mound 12–28 inches tall; spread 12–18 inches. NC: height about 14–18 in; width 12–18 in; space often under 12 inches.

Sun, soil and water

Part shade to sun with moisture; rich loamy organic soil (NC). Wisconsin woodland native. Foliage may decline in hottest summer (NC).

Care

Divide every 2–4 years (Clemson). Fall sow for seed (WI). Deadhead optional; allow some seed if naturalizing (explosive capsules — WI).

Bloom

Late spring to early summer about 1 month (WI). NC: spring. Lavender-pink typical for the species.

Pests and diseases

NC: snails and slugs; rust and leaf spot may occur. Cultural: handpick slugs; spacing; remove diseased foliage.

Related: bedding geranium · ZIP planner · organic pest control

Frequently asked questions

When do I plant hardy geranium?

Fall-sow seed outdoors (WI). Divide early spring or fall (WI/Clemson). No indoor Start weeks sourced.

Same as bedding geranium?

No — hardy Geranium (cranesbill) vs Pelargonium (bedding).

How often do I divide?

Every 2 to 4 years (Clemson).

Sources