Birthday
HydrangeasA "geranium" on grandma's windowsill is a picture almost everyone knows. But did you know that this plant is actually a pelargonium, while true geraniums grow in gardens and even in Ukrainian meadows? Here is how they differ, which types of pelargonium exist, the interesting facts and legends around them — and how to care for your "geranium" so it flowers almost all year.
Geranium or pelargonium?
Both genera belong to the same family, Geraniaceae, and in 1753 Carl Linnaeus did lump them together as Geranium. But in 1789 the French botanist Charles L'Héritier separated pelargoniums into their own genus. The names come from Greek: geranos means "crane" and pelargos "stork" — the fruits of both plants are long and beak-like.
In everyday speech pelargoniums are still called geraniums, so this article uses both words.
Interesting facts about pelargoniums
- Native to South Africa. Most of the roughly 280 pelargonium species grow in the Cape region. Dutch and English seafarers brought them to Europe in the 17th century, and by the 19th century they were a fashionable feature of Victorian homes.
- Leaves with different scents. Scented pelargoniums smell of rose, lemon, mint, apple and even chocolate — just rub a leaf.
- "Geranium oil" is pelargonium. The essential oil sold as geranium oil comes from rose-scented pelargonium and is widely used in perfumery and cosmetics.
- The "mosquito plant" is a myth. Citrus-scented varieties are sold as mosquito repellents, but research doesn't support any noticeable effect from a potted plant.
- Edible flowers. Pastry chefs use the flowers and leaves of some scented pelargoniums to flavour sugar, jams and bakes — but only from plants grown without chemical treatments.
Types of pelargonium
- Zonal — the most popular, with a dark "zone" on round leaves and domed flower heads. They bloom almost all year given good light.
- Ivy-leaved (trailing) — with cascading stems and glossy, ivy-like leaves. Perfect for balcony boxes and hanging baskets.
- Regal — with large, almost azalea-like flowers. Fussier than others: without a cool winter they often don't bloom.
- Scented-leaved — grown for their fragrant, finely cut leaves rather than flowers.
- Angel — compact, with pansy-like flowers.
How to care for pelargoniums
- Light. The sunniest window. Without enough light stems stretch and flowering stops. In summer they can go out on the balcony.
- Watering. Moderate, once the top of the soil has dried. Pelargoniums cope with drought better than overwatering; no need to mist the leaves.
- Winter rest. A bright, cool spot (10–15 °C) with sparse watering in winter — the main secret of abundant spring flowers.
- Pruning. In late winter cut back leggy stems and pinch young shoots for a bushy plant. Remove spent flower heads.
- Feeding. Spring to autumn, every 2 weeks with a potassium-rich fertiliser for flowering plants.
- Pot. Keep it small: slightly pot-bound pelargoniums flower better.
Propagation from cuttings
Pelargoniums are very easy to propagate. Take a 7–10 cm tip cutting with 3–4 leaves, remove the lower leaves and any buds, let the cut dry for 1–2 hours and plant in light compost or stand in water. Roots appear in 2–3 weeks. Spring and late summer are best.
Legends and folklore
Many folk tales surround the geranium. One says it sprang up where a tired crane, left behind by its flock, shed its tears — hence the "crane" name. In Europe people told of a cobbler who brought home a geranium flower, and his wife was so charmed she forgot their quarrel. Various cultures saw the geranium as a guardian of the home and a symbol of cosiness. It's folklore, but it explains why the pelargonium has stayed such a "homely" flower.
True geraniums in the garden
Garden geraniums (cranesbills) are easy perennials that survive Ukrainian winters without protection. They form dense clumps with blue, purple, pink or white flowers and grow well in part shade. Meadow and wood cranesbills grow wild here, while gardens favour the aromatic Geranium macrorrhizum and hybrids such as 'Rozanne', which flower all summer.
Pelargoniums are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten. Keep pots out of pets' reach. Essential oils are no substitute for medical treatment — discuss any health questions with a doctor.
Choose a flowering plant for your windowsill among our potted plants. Pelargoniums also thrive on a sunny kitchen window — see our guide to kitchen houseplants.
FAQ
What's the difference between a geranium and a pelargonium?
The pelargonium is a South African houseplant commonly called a geranium. True geraniums are hardy garden perennials that overwinter outdoors.
Why won't my pelargonium flower?
Usually too little light, too large a pot or no cool winter rest.
Do geraniums really repel mosquitoes?
No, research doesn't support any effect from a potted plant.
How do I propagate a pelargonium?
From 7–10 cm tip cuttings in spring or late summer; they root in water or soil within 2–3 weeks.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
