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Pelargonium

Pelargonium (zonal, ivy-leaved, scented; often called geranium) · Geraniaceae

Heat- and drought-tolerant summer bedding for pots and baskets

Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sun: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, well-drained; peat-free compost in pots
Soil pH: Tolerates any garden soil (acid, neutral or alkaline); benefits from neutral to alkaline
Water: Drought tolerant; water when the compost dries
Hardiness: Tender, RHS H1C; overwinter frost-free
Height and spread: 20-60cm (zonal types 10-50cm)

Guv's tipPelargoniums are drought tolerant, so only water when the compost dries. Cut them back in autumn before you overwinter them.

Through the year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow or plant

In flower

Prune

Timings are for the UK as a whole. Northern and exposed gardens often run a couple of weeks later.

When to plant

Plant out late May-Jun after frosts (Apr-May under cover); later (early-mid Jun) in Scotland

Flowering

Flowers May/Jun-Oct

Pruning

Cut back in autumn before overwintering; pinch out tips in late winter

Making more plants

Softwood cuttings spring to autumn; seed (zonal F1/F2)

Watch out for

Pest

Glasshouse whitefly

Look for: Tiny white flying insects under leaves, honeydew and sooty mould

What to do: Yellow sticky traps, biological control Encarsia formosa under glass

Disease

Grey mould

Botrytis cinerea

Look for: Fuzzy grey mould on flowers, fruit or stems, rotting

What to do: Remove affected parts, improve ventilation, avoid overcrowding

Disease

Pelargonium rust

Puccinia pelargonii-zonalis

Look for: Brown pustules under leaves, yellow spots above

What to do: Remove affected leaves, avoid overhead watering

Always read and follow the label on any treatment, and check it is approved for use where you live.

Safety and spread

Pets and people: Mildly toxic: Pelargonium is listed as toxic to dogs, cats and horses by the ASPCA, causing vomiting, loss of appetite and dermatitis. Low severity; cats are the most sensitive

Weed risk: Not listed as an invasive plant in Great Britain; tender, not invasive in the UK

Checked against two or more reputable gardening sources. How we check our facts

Growing somewhere else? See this plant for Australia.

Keep it by the back door

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