Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Fancy-leaf Geranium.
Pelargonium zonale
Pronounced peh-lar-GOH-nee-um ZOH-nay-lee
Also known as Horse-shoe Pelargonium, Horseshoe Geranium, Horseshoe Pelargonium, Horseshoe Storksbill
This is a popular, classic bedding plant known for its bold, often colorful, deeply lobed leaves and clusters of bright flowers. Fancy-leaf geraniums are typically grown as annuals in cooler climates but are perennial in warmer regions.
At a glance
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Tender perennial, often grown as annual
- Light
- Full sun
- Indoor light
- direct
- Water
- Every 7 to 14 days
- Mature size
- Up to 2 feet tall and wide
- Growth rate
- medium
- Hardiness
- USDA 9 to 11
- Bloom time
- Late spring through fall
Care
Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms. Protect from frost as it is not cold-hardy.
- Watering
- Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
- Feeding
- Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
- Pruning
- Pinch back young plants to encourage bushier growth and prune lightly after flowering to shape.
- Repotting
- Repot every 1-2 years into a slightly larger container when root-bound.
- Soil
- Well-draining potting mix
- Soil pH
- Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
- Temperature
- 10 to 24°C
- Humidity
- 30 to 50%
Safety
- Pets
- This plant may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets.
How to identify it
- Zonal leaf markings
- Deeply lobed leaves
- Upright growth habit
- Clusters of flowers
- Fleshy stems
- Height
- 0.3 to 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.3 to 0.6m
- Leaves
- Green, Maroon, Silver, Bronze, evergreen
- Flowers
- Red, Pink, White, Salmon, Purple, 2.5 to 3.5cm
Growing it
- Propagation
- Cuttings
- When to plant
- Spring
Science
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Genus
- Pelargonium
- Order
- Geraniales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
Through the year
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Is your fancy-leaf 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.