Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Geranium.
Pelargonium x hortorum
Pronounced pel-ar-GO-nee-um hor-TOR-um
Also known as 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.
At a glance
- 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
Care
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
Signs it needs repotting
- Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
- Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
- Stunted growth despite regular feeding.
Safety
- 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.
How to identify it
- 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
Common problems
- 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.
Growing it
- 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.
Grows well with
- Petunia — They share similar light and water requirements for container displays.
- Lobelia — The trailing habit of lobelia complements the upright growth of the geranium.
Keep away from
- Impatiens — Impatiens prefer shade and consistent moisture, which conflicts with the needs of geraniums.
Similar species
- 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
Through the year
Ecological indicators
- Salinity
- 2/9
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Light
- 7/9
- Temperature
- 7/9
- Moisture
- 4/9
- Nutrients
- 5/9
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Questions people ask
- 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.
Where the name comes from
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.
Good to know
- 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.
Is your geranium looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.