Is this plant invasive?

It can be quite prolific in its self-seeding, so monitor it in small garden beds.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.

Plant guide

Shining Crane's-bill.

Geranium lucidum

Pronounced jeh-RAY-nee-um LOO-sih-dum

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

The shining crane's bill is a charming annual that often pops up in woodland areas and rocky spots. It is well known for its glossy, bright green leaves that can turn a lovely shade of red in the sun. It is a great choice if you want a plant that spreads gently and adds a bit of natural texture to your garden.

Another photo of Shining Crane's-bill — Photo by Whitney Mattila (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual herb
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 4 to 12 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to mimic its natural woodland home. Watch for wilting if the soil dries out too much, and keep an eye out for overcrowding if it starts to spread too quickly.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back spent flower stems to encourage a tidy appearance.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Well draining, moist soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -10 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Annual, typically 1 year
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot

Safety

People: It is generally considered non-toxic but is not meant for consumption.
Children: Keep away from small children as the plant is not food and may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the glandular hairs.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Glossy, rounded, palmately lobed leaves
Small pink, five petaled flowers
Stems often tinged with red
Hairy, reddish seed capsules

Height: 0.1 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: bright green, reddish, deciduous
Flowers: pink, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Summer

Problems to watch for

Powdery MildewCommon
AphidsUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon
RustRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder climates, the plant will die back completely. Ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot during wet winter months.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided they have good drainage and are at least 20 cm wide.

Seed

1. Collect seeds in late summer when the capsules turn brown.
2. Sow seeds directly into prepared soil in autumn.
3. Keep the area lightly moist until germination occurs in spring.

Plant in groups with other shade-loving perennials to create a lush, low-maintenance woodland floor.

Grows well with

Bluebell · They share similar woodland habitat requirements.
Ferns · The contrasting textures look lovely in a shade garden.

Similar species

Herb Robert · It is a similar annual geranium with a more sprawling habit.

Science

Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Geranium
Order: Geraniales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.
Conservation: It is not of conservation concern and is often considered a weed in some regions.

It thrives in shaded, rocky habitats and woodland edges where it can easily disperse its seeds.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ground cover, woodland gardens, rock gardens

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?: It can be quite prolific in its self-seeding, so monitor it in small garden beds.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Geranium comes from the Greek word geranos, meaning crane, referring to the beak-like fruit. The specific epithet lucidum means bright or clear, describing the glossy leaves.

Good to know

The species name lucidum refers to the shiny appearance of its leaves.
It is known to self-seed quite freely in favorable conditions.
The plant often turns a beautiful shade of red in the sun.

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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.