Ivy-leaved geranium.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

2 to 4 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Spring to autumn

Care

Keep your plant in a sunny spot and let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet for too long. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage the plant to keep producing new flowers all 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 encourage a bushier shape and remove faded flowers.

Repotting

Repot in the spring if the roots have filled the current container.

Soil

Well draining potting mix

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

5 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

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 stems can be brittle and the leaves may cause mild irritation if chewed.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to glandular hairs.

Airborne allergens

Pollen is generally not a significant allergen for most people.

Edibility

While not highly toxic, it is not considered a culinary herb and should be avoided.

How to identify it

• Trailing stems with ivy shaped leaves
• Succulent like leaf texture
• Clusters of five petaled flowers
• Leaves often have zoned markings

Height

0.2 to 0.4m

Spread

0.3 to 0.9m

Leaves

green, semi-evergreen

Flowers

pink, red, white, lavender, 2 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

• Botrytis blight · A fungal infection that causes gray mold on leaves and flowers in humid conditions.
• Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

Bring containers indoors before the first frost to a bright, cool room. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months to keep the plant dormant.

In containers

Excellent for containers and hanging baskets, requiring a pot at least 20 centimeters in diameter with drainage holes.

Pair plants with similar water needs to ensure the geranium does not stay too wet.

Grows well with

• Petunia · They share similar light and water requirements for container displays.
• Lobelia · The trailing habit of lobelia complements the ivy geranium in hanging baskets.

Similar species

• Zonal Geranium · A close relative with an upright habit instead of trailing.

Science

Family

Geraniaceae

Genus

Pelargonium

Order

Geraniales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

South Africa

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

It grows on rocky slopes and in scrubland where it uses its trailing habit to scramble over other vegetation.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

hanging baskets, window boxes, container gardening

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need deadheading?

Yes, removing spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.

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 Pelargonium comes from the Greek word for stork, referring to the shape of the fruit, while peltatum refers to the peltate or shield-like leaf attachment.

Good to know

• Commonly called ivy-leaved geranium due to its leaf shape.
• It is native to the Cape Province of South Africa.
• The stems can grow up to 90 centimeters long.
• It thrives in warm, sunny spots with good airflow.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs