Pelargonium — 78 species

Pelargonium is the genus behind garden and indoor geraniums — encompassing regal types like Lord Bute, Madame Layal, and Vancouver Centennial — offering prolific blooms and often fragrant foliage. They are sun-hungry plants that require a bright, south-facing window with several hours of direct light daily; low-light conditions sharply reduce flowering. Allow the top third of the soil to dry between waterings and reduce frequency in autumn and winter, as overwatering and root rot are the most common causes of decline. The ASPCA lists Pelargonium as toxic to both cats and dogs, with ingestion causing vomiting, anorexia, and dermatitis.