Cold hardiness & minimum temperature

Is Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' (Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat')cold hardy? Hardiness zone & min temp

Also called Tomcat ivy geranium.

More about pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat'

About Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat'

Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' · also called Tomcat ivy geranium · flowering

'Tomcat' is a vigorous ivy-leaved pelargonium grown for cascading stems and dense clusters of bright red single flowers. Its glossy, fleshy, five-lobed leaves trail and spill, making it a classic balcony, window-box and hanging-basket plant. It blooms heavily through summer in full sun, is drought-tolerant once established, and is treated as a tender perennial.

Cold limit: USDA 9-11 (grown as an annual or overwintered frost-free elsewhere) · RHS H2 (10-24°C)

What pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat''s hardiness rating actually means

Hardiness works differently for pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat': it is grown as a seasonal crop, not overwintered. The question is not "what zone" but "how long is your frost-free growing window". Its RHS rating of H2 means: Tender — survives a frost-free greenhouse or a very mild, sheltered spot. On the US scale that maps to USDA 9-11 (grown as an annual or overwintered frost-free elsewhere) — the zones where it can be left outdoors year-round.

New to these scales? The USDA hardiness zone map explained covers how the zone numbers work, and you can find your own zone with the zone finder.

Minimum temperature — and what happens below it

As an annual crop, its "minimum temperature" is the first hard frost — that is the end of the plant's life, not a survivable low. Many types are also damaged by light frost (around 0 °C).

Concretely, for pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' as it gets too cold:

Light frost (around 0 to −2 °C) damages or kills tender summer crops outright; cold-hardy types take a few degrees of frost.
The plant does not "survive winter" — its life cycle simply ends, by design, when frost arrives or it finishes cropping.
A surprise late spring frost can also kill young transplants set out too early, before the season even starts.

Can pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' go outside or overwinter — and where?

Time it to your frost dates: sow or plant out after the last spring frost, and aim to harvest before the first autumn frost.
In short-season zones, start it indoors or under cover to stretch the effective growing window.
Hardier crops in this group can be sown for an autumn or overwintered harvest in mild zones — check the specific crop.

Work back from your local frost dates with the frost-date calculator: the last spring frost and first autumn frost are what really decide when pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' can be outside. US growers can check USDA zones; UK growers should use the RHS hardiness ratings, which match the H2 figure above.

Frost protection for borderline pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat'

Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' is right on a hardiness edge in many gardens, so if you are pushing it, these measures buy it the margin it needs:

Use fleece, cloches or a cold frame at each end of the season to dodge a borderline frost and add growing weeks.
Have row cover ready for an unexpected late spring or early autumn frost.
Know your local last- and first-frost dates and count back the crop’s days-to-maturity to schedule the sowing.

Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' hardiness — frequently asked questions

Is pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' cold hardy?

Hardiness works differently for pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat': it is grown as a seasonal crop, not overwintered. The question is not "what zone" but "how long is your frost-free growing window". A seasonal crop, not a perennial. Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' is grown 9-11 (grown as an annual or overwintered frost-free elsewhere); you sow after the last frost and harvest before the first one, then start again next year.

What is the minimum temperature pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' can survive?

As an annual crop, its "minimum temperature" is the first hard frost — that is the end of the plant's life, not a survivable low. Many types are also damaged by light frost (around 0 °C).

What hardiness zone is pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat'?

Pelargonium peltatum 'Tomcat' is rated USDA 9-11 (grown as an annual or overwintered frost-free elsewhere) and RHS H2 — Tender — survives a frost-free greenhouse or a very mild, sheltered spot.

Can pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' survive winter outside?

Time it to your frost dates: sow or plant out after the last spring frost, and aim to harvest before the first autumn frost. In short-season zones, start it indoors or under cover to stretch the effective growing window. Hardier crops in this group can be sown for an autumn or overwintered harvest in mild zones — check the specific crop.

How do I protect pelargonium peltatum 'tomcat' from frost?

Use fleece, cloches or a cold frame at each end of the season to dodge a borderline frost and add growing weeks. Have row cover ready for an unexpected late spring or early autumn frost. Know your local last- and first-frost dates and count back the crop’s days-to-maturity to schedule the sowing.