Does it need deadheading?

Deadheading encourages a second flush of flowers later in the season.

It is not considered invasive, though it can self-seed in ideal conditions.

Plant guide

Meadow cranesbill.

Geranium pratense

Pronounced jeh-RAY-nee-um pra-TEN-see

Also known as Meadow Crane's-bill, Meadow geranium

The meadow cranesbill is a lovely perennial that brings a touch of the wild to your garden. It produces beautiful blue to violet cup shaped flowers that look great in borders. You will find it is quite hardy and enjoys a spot with plenty of space to spread.

Another photo of meadow cranesbill — Photo by Lucie Karna (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to help this plant thrive. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate that the soil is staying too wet for too long. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage a second flush of blooms later in the season.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Cut back foliage after flowering to tidy the plant and promote new growth.
Repotting: Divide the clumps every few years to maintain plant vigor.
Soil: Moist, well drained soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -30 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep children away from ingesting the foliage, as it can cause minor digestive discomfort.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.
Airborne allergens: Pollen can trigger hay fever symptoms in sensitive individuals during the bloom period.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Deeply divided palmate leaves
Five petaled blue violet flowers
Distinctive long beak shaped seed pods
Clumping habit with hairy stems

Height: 0.45 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: blue, violet, white, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery MildewCommon
SawflyCommon
AphidsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
RustUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut the foliage back to the ground in late autumn after it yellows. The crown is hardy and does not require special protection.
In containers: It grows well in large pots, provided they have excellent drainage and at least 30 centimeters of depth.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring or autumn.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root mass into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately in well-draining soil.

Seed

1. Collect seeds when the pods turn brown.
2. Sow in pots in a cold frame during autumn.
3. Transplant seedlings to their permanent spot in spring.

Plant in groups to create a dense ground cover that suppresses weeds naturally.

Grows well with

Lady's Mantle · They share similar moisture needs and look lovely together in a border.
Catmint · Both plants attract pollinators and have complementary bloom times.

Similar species

Bloody Cranesbill · A smaller, more compact relative that is also excellent for rock gardens.

Science

Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Geranium
Order: Geraniales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Asia
Conservation: It is common in its native range and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, grassy habitats where it competes for light with other meadow perennials.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, pollinator borders

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need deadheading?: Deadheading encourages a second flush of flowers later in the season.
Is it invasive?: It is not considered invasive, though it can self-seed in ideal conditions.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Geranium comes from the Greek word geranos, meaning crane, while the species name pratense means of the meadow.

Good to know

The name cranesbill comes from the shape of the seed pod which resembles a crane's beak.
It is a hardy perennial that returns reliably every year.
The flowers often have distinct, darker veins that act as nectar guides for bees.

Keep your meadow cranesbill growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.