Garden Geranium
Pelargonium × hybridum
Formerly Pelargonium × hortorum
Also known as Zonal Geranium, Bedding Geranium, Horseshoe Geranium
Climate Match for your location
See how well Garden Geranium grows in your area.
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Garden geraniums are tender evergreen perennials prized for their showy clusters of red, pink, salmon, or white flowers and distinctive dark-banded zonal foliage. They are versatile for containers, borders, and bedding in warm climates, and are widely grown as annuals in cooler regions.
Why grow it
Garden geraniums offer reliable, long-blooming flowers with minimal deadheading required compared to many other bedding plants, making them practical for low-maintenance gardens. Their zonal foliage provides ornamental interest even when not in bloom, distinguishing them from simpler flowering annuals. They tolerate poor soil and drought better than many tender perennials once established, though they perform best with moderate water and feeding.
Watch out for
Overwatering is a common problem and can lead to root rot, particularly in humid climates or heavy soils; allow soil to dry between waterings. Powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases develop more readily in crowded plantings with poor air circulation, so spacing and pruning for airflow help prevent issues. They may require regular pinching or deadheading to maintain compact, bushy growth rather than leggy plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Geraniaceae
Native Range
South Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Orbit and Multibloom are popular seed strains known for their compact habit and prolific flowering; zonal geraniums are named for the distinctive dark horseshoe-shaped band on their leaves.
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Garden geraniums are tender evergreen perennials prized for their showy clusters of red, pink, salmon, or white flowers and distinctive dark-banded zonal foliage. They are versatile for containers, borders, and bedding in warm climates, and are widely grown as annuals in cooler regions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Garden Geranium grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Garden geraniums offer reliable, long-blooming flowers with minimal deadheading required compared to many other bedding plants, making them practical for low-maintenance gardens. Their zonal foliage provides ornamental interest even when not in bloom, distinguishing them from simpler flowering annuals. They tolerate poor soil and drought better than many tender perennials once established, though they perform best with moderate water and feeding.
Watch out for
Overwatering is a common problem and can lead to root rot, particularly in humid climates or heavy soils; allow soil to dry between waterings. Powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases develop more readily in crowded plantings with poor air circulation, so spacing and pruning for airflow help prevent issues. They may require regular pinching or deadheading to maintain compact, bushy growth rather than leggy plants.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Geraniaceae
Native Range
South Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Orbit and Multibloom are popular seed strains known for their compact habit and prolific flowering; zonal geraniums are named for the distinctive dark horseshoe-shaped band on their leaves.