Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Regal Geranium.
Pelargonium x domesticum
Pronounced peh-lar-GO-nee-um doh-MES-ti-kum
Also known as Pelargonium x domesticum, Lady Washington geranium, Martha Washington geranium, Regal pelargonium, pansy-flower geranium, regal geranium, show geranium, summer-azalea
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These lovely plants are famous for their large, ruffled blooms that come in a variety of vibrant colors. They thrive in cooler temperatures and make a wonderful addition to a bright windowsill. You'll find they are quite showy during the spring and early summer months.
At a glance
- Care level
- Moderate
- Plant type
- Flowering perennial
- Light
- Bright light with some morning sun
- Indoor light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Every 5 to 10 days
- Mature size
- 1 to 2 feet
- Growth rate
- Medium
Care
Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage a longer blooming season.
- 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
- Pinch back stems to promote a bushier shape and remove faded blooms.
- Repotting
- Repot in the spring if the plant becomes root bound.
- Soil
- Well draining potting mix
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 7.0
Safety
- Pets
- This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
How to identify it
- Large, showy, ruffled flower clusters
- Crinkled, serrated, dark green leaves
- Compact, bushy growth habit
- Velvety petal texture
Problems to watch for
Check your regal geranium from a photo
Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.
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Science
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Genus
- Pelargonium
- Order
- Geraniales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Also in
Keep your regal geranium 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 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.