Geranium (Pelargonium) Pelargonium x hortorum
Geranium (Pelargonium) (Pelargonium x hortorum) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Geraniaceae family. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
Plan Geranium (Pelargonium) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Geranium (Pelargonium) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Geraniaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 17–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇲🇦 Morocco |
Is Geranium (Pelargonium) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, stems
Essential oils can cause vomiting and skin irritation in cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Geranium (Pelargonium)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Geranium (Pelargonium) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kirstenbosch (8 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (15 plants)
Questions about Geranium (Pelargonium)
- How far apart should I plant Geranium (Pelargonium)?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Geranium (Pelargonium) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Geranium (Pelargonium) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Geranium (Pelargonium)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Geranium (Pelargonium) flower?
- From about May for 17–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Geranium (Pelargonium) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Essential oils can cause vomiting and skin irritation in cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Geranium (Pelargonium)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Geranium (Pelargonium). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Frost-tender perennial often grown as an annual.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Cranesbill (hardy geranium) Geranium x magnificum
- Tree pelargonium Pelargonium cucullatum
- Wild geranium (spotted cranesbill) Geranium maculatum
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus