Pocket BotanistGuide botanique
Geranium.
Pelargonium x hortorum
Prononciation pel-ar-GO-nee-um hor-TOR-um
Aussi appelée Pelargonium x hortorum, Zonal geranium, bedding geranium, fish geranium, horseshoe geranium, house geranium, zonal pelargonium
Garden geraniums are classic favorites known for their vibrant, rounded flower clusters and velvety, scalloped leaves. They thrive in sunny spots and bring a cheerful pop of color to containers or garden beds. These plants are quite resilient and handle a bit of neglect well if they get enough light.
En un coup d'œil
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Light
- Full sun
- Indoor light
- direct
- Water
- Every 5 to 10 days
- Mature size
- 45 to 60 cm
- Growth rate
- medium
- Hardiness
- USDA 10 to 11
- Bloom time
- Late spring to autumn
Entretien
Give these plants plenty of sunshine to keep them blooming and compact. Let the soil dry out significantly between waterings to prevent root issues. Pinch off faded flower heads to encourage the plant to keep producing new blooms.
- Watering
- Allow the top few centimeters of soil to dry out completely before watering again.
- Feeding
- Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
- Pruning
- Regularly deadhead spent flowers and trim back leggy stems to maintain a bushy shape.
- Repotting
- Repot in spring if the plant becomes root-bound or needs fresh soil.
- Soil
- Well-draining potting mix
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 7.0
- Temperature
- 10 to 25°C
- Humidity
- 30 to 50%
- Drought tolerance
- moderate
- Lifespan
- Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years
- Fragrance
- light
- Deer and rabbits
- moderate
Signes qu'il faut rempoter
- Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
- Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
- Stunted growth despite regular feeding.
Sécurité
- People
- The plant contains essential oils that may cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large quantities.
- Pets
- This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
- Children
- Keep out of reach of small children as the leaves can be a choking hazard if swallowed.
- Contact allergens
- The glandular hairs on the leaves can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
- Airborne allergens
- The pollen is generally not considered a major allergen for most people.
- Edibility
- While often used in culinary applications, ensure you are using non-treated plants as many nursery specimens contain systemic pesticides.
Comment l'identifier
- Rounded clusters of vibrant flowers
- Velvety, scalloped, circular leaves
- Distinctive zonal markings on foliage
- Sturdy, succulent, semi-woody stems
- Height
- 0.3 to 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.3 to 0.45m
- Leaves
- green, evergreen
- Flowers
- red, pink, white, salmon, 2 to 5cm
Problèmes courants
- Botrytis blight — A fungal infection that causes gray mold on flowers and leaves in humid conditions.
- Aphids — Small insects that suck sap from new growth and can stunt plant development.
La cultiver
- Propagation
- cuttings, seed
- When to plant
- spring
- Overwintering
- Bring pots indoors before the first frost and place them in a bright, cool room. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months to allow the plant to rest.
- In containers
- They are excellent in containers, provided the pot has good drainage and is at least 10 inches wide.
Stem Cuttings
- Take a 4 inch cutting from a healthy stem.
- Remove the lower leaves, leaving only a few at the top.
- Let the cutting callus for a day before planting in moist soil.
Pair plants with similar drought tolerance to ensure they thrive together in the same pot.
Bonnes associations
- Petunia — They share similar light and water requirements for container displays.
- Lobelia — The trailing habit of lobelia complements the upright growth of the geranium.
À éloigner de
- Impatiens — Impatiens prefer shade and consistent moisture, which conflicts with the needs of geraniums.
Espèces similaires
- Ivy-leaf Geranium — It has a trailing habit that makes it perfect for hanging baskets.
Science
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Genus
- Pelargonium
- Order
- Geraniales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Native range
- South Africa
- Conservation
- This species is a garden hybrid and is not of conservation concern in the wild.
In its native habitat, it thrives in well drained, rocky soils and open sunny slopes.
- Value to wildlife
- nectar source
- Pollinators
- bees, butterflies, moths
- Uses
- container gardening, bedding plant, hanging baskets
Au fil des saisons
Repères écologiques
- Salinity
- 2/9
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Light
- 7/9
- Temperature
- 7/9
- Moisture
- 4/9
- Nutrients
- 5/9
Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.
Ce qu'on demande souvent
- Do they need full sun?
- Yes, they bloom best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- How often should I water?
- Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
D'où vient le nom
The genus name comes from the Greek word pelargos, which means stork, referring to the shape of the fruit. The species name hortorum translates to of the gardens.
Bon à savoir
- Pelargoniums are commonly called geraniums, though they are technically a different genus.
- They were first introduced to Europe from South Africa in the 17th century.
- The leaves are often more fragrant than the flowers themselves.
Ton geranium a mauvaise mine ?
Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.
Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.