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Pelargonium geraniums are forgiving, sun-loving container plants that flower from late spring to first frost in USDA zones 10-11 (RHS H2, tender), and are grown as summer annuals everywhere colder. Give them at least 6 hours of direct sun, let the pot dry between waterings, and deadhead spent flower stalks at the base to keep new buds coming. Pinch back leggy stems in early spring. Toxic to cats and dogs. Plants cost $4-$12.
Key facts
- The garden "geranium" is a Pelargonium from South Africa, not a true Geranium. True hardy geraniums (cranesbills) survive cold winters, Pelargoniums do not.
- Frost-tender: hardy only in USDA zones 10-11 (RHS H2). In zones 3-9 it is planted out after the last frost and either treated as an annual or lifted and overwintered indoors.
- Blooms continuously from late spring until first frost if deadheaded; snap the whole flower stalk off at its base, not just the faded head.
- Toxic to cats and dogs. The geraniol and linalool in the foliage cause vomiting, drooling and skin irritation.
Care requirements#
| Plant type | Tender perennial, grown as a summer annual in most climates; container or bedding plant |
| Growing medium | Free-draining multipurpose or container compost |
| Light needs | Full sun. At least 6 hours of direct sun for good flowering |
| Water frequency | Let the top 2-3cm dry out, then water thoroughly; far more tolerant of dry than wet |
| Hardiness zone (USDA) | 10-11 hardy; grown as an annual in zones 3-9 |
| Hardiness zone (RHS) | H2. Tender, survives outdoors only in frost-free winters |
| Bloom season | Late spring through to the first autumn frost |
| Temperature range | 15-27°C (60-80°F); damaged below 4°C (40°F), killed by frost |
| Fertilizer | High-potash liquid feed (tomato feed works) every 2 weeks in summer |
| Soil pH | 6.0-6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Drainage needs | High: soggy compost causes stem rot (blackleg) |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats and dogs; also mildly irritating to horses. Causes vomiting, drooling and dermatitis. |
Growth & propagation#
| Mature size | 30-60cm tall and wide; ivy-leaved trailing types spill 60-90cm |
| Growth rate | Fast in warm weather |
| Propagation methods | Softwood stem cuttings in late summer. The standard way gardeners carry plants through winter |
| Propagation difficulty | Beginner-friendly; cuttings root in 2-3 weeks without hormone |
| Repotting schedule | Annually in spring if overwintered, into fresh compost one pot size up |
| Pruning timing | Cut back by a third in early spring as growth restarts; deadhead flower stalks at their base all summer. Do not hard-prune in autumn before overwintering, wait until spring. |
| Overwintering | Lift before first frost, cut back by half, keep barely moist in a frost-free, bright spot at 7-13°C (45-55°F) |
Common problems & troubleshooting#
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Blackened, rotting stem at soil level | Blackleg, a fungal rot from overwatering or cold wet compost | Discard the affected plant, use fresh free-draining compost and water less; take cuttings from clean top growth |
| Lots of leaves, few flowers | Too little sun or too much nitrogen feed | Move to a spot with 6+ hours of direct sun and switch to a high-potash feed |
| Leggy, bare-stemmed plant | Low light plus no spring pruning | Cut back by a third in early spring and pinch growing tips to force branching |
| Rust-coloured rings on leaf undersides | Pelargonium rust, worse in humid, crowded conditions | Remove affected leaves, improve airflow, avoid overhead watering |
Deadheading reminders that follow the bloom cycle
Sodate tracks your local frost dates and sun hours, then schedules planting out, feeding and deadheading around them.
Seasonal care#
Varieties & cultivars#
| Variety | Distinguishing trait | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zonal geranium (P. x hortorum) | Upright, dark horseshoe band on each leaf | The classic bedding and pot geranium |
| Ivy-leaved geranium (P. peltatum) | Trailing stems, glossy ivy-shaped leaves | Best for hanging baskets and window boxes |
| Regal/Martha Washington (P. x domesticum) | Large ruffled blooms, shorter flowering season | Prefers cooler summers; often grown as a conservatory plant |
| Scented-leaf pelargoniums | Rose, lemon or mint-scented foliage, small flowers | Grown for leaf fragrance rather than bloom |
Buying checklist#
- Stems are firm and green right down to the compost, with no blackening at the base
- Plenty of unopened buds rather than fully open flowers
- Compact, branched shape rather than a single tall leggy stem
- Leaf undersides free of rust pustules and whitefly
Pricing by region#
| Region | Price range | Typical unit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | $4 – $12 | 4in pot | Garden centre + big-box retail |
| UK | $4 – $10 | 9-13cm pot | Garden centre retail |
| India | $1 – $3 | 5in pot | Urban nursery retail |
| Australia | $5 – $12 | 125mm pot | Nursery retail |
| Canada | $5 – $13 | 4in pot | Garden centre retail |
USD figures are approximate conversions for comparison; switch the dropdown to see each region's actual local-currency listing price.
Often confused with#
Name confusion warning#
"Geranium" is used for two different genera. Nursery bedding geraniums are Pelargonium and are frost-tender; hardy geraniums are Geranium (cranesbill) and survive freezing winters. Buying the wrong one is the most common reason a "geranium" dies over its first winter.
Where it's actually grown#
Almost all bedding pelargoniums sold in Europe and North America are raised from cuttings on large propagation nurseries in Kenya, Ethiopia and Portugal, then shipped as unrooted cuttings to regional growers who finish them in pots for spring sale. Very little seed-raised material reaches retail.
Import & biosecurity restrictions#
| Region | Note |
|---|---|
| Australia | Live plant imports restricted under biosecurity law; abundant domestically and naturalised in parts of the south. |
| US | Unrestricted domestic sale; a standard spring bedding crop nationwide. |
| UK | No restriction on sale; post-Brexit plant health certificates apply to commercial imports from the EU. |
| India | No restriction; grows well in hill stations and cooler-season plains gardens, struggles in monsoon humidity. |
| Canada | CFIA phytosanitary rules apply to commercial imports; sold everywhere as a spring annual. |
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Frequently asked questions
Are geraniums toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Pelargonium geraniums contain geraniol and linalool, which cause vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite and skin irritation in cats and dogs. Keep pots out of reach of grazing pets.
When should I prune a geranium?
Cut back by about a third in early spring, just as new growth starts. Deadhead spent flower stalks at their base throughout summer. Avoid hard-pruning in autumn if you plan to overwinter the plant.
Will my geranium survive winter outdoors?
Only in USDA zones 10-11 (RHS H2). Anywhere with frost, lift the plant before the first freeze and keep it dormant somewhere frost-free and bright, or treat it as an annual.
Why won't my geranium flower?
Almost always too little direct sun, or a high-nitrogen feed pushing leaf growth. Move it to a spot with six or more hours of sun and switch to a high-potash tomato feed.
How much does a geranium cost?
A 4-inch potted plant typically runs $4-$12 in the US and £3-£8 in the UK.
