Plant care
Geranium (pelargonium) (zonal geranium) care
Pelargonium × hortorum
Also called zonal geranium, bedding geranium, pelargonium.
Light
Geranium (pelargonium) is a sun-lover and needs the brightest spot in the home to thrive. 6+ hours of direct sun for the heaviest flowering. Indoors that almost always means a south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere. Plants moved abruptly from low light to direct sun will scorch — acclimate them over 7-10 days by giving a little more sun each day.
Watering
Water geranium (pelargonium) when the top of the soil is dry, every 5-10 days. The actual day count varies with pot size, light level, and the season — the finger test (or, better, lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a calendar. Empty any drainage saucer after watering so the pot is never sitting in water. Drought-tolerant; over-watering produces yellow leaves and root rot.
Soil and pot
Geranium (pelargonium) grows best in free-draining potting compost. Standard compost with 20% perlite; container culture suits them. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.
Humidity and temperature
Geranium (pelargonium) sits happiest at around 40-60% (outdoor) humidity and 15-27°C (60-80°F). Tolerates dry air. If you keep the room above 15 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.
Fertilising
Feed geranium (pelargonium) sparingly. A high-potash feed every 2 weeks through summer. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.
Common problems
Below are the issues we see most often on geranium (pelargonium) in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.
- Yellow lower leaves — Overwatering or natural senescence.
- No flowers — Too much shade or too much nitrogen.
- Blackleg (stem rot) — Bacterial rot from cold wet soil; take cuttings from clean tops.
- Rust — Orange pustules under leaves; remove affected leaves and improve airflow.
Companion plants
Geranium (pelargonium) pairs well with Petunia, Lobelia, and Verbena. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.
Propagation
Softwood cuttings in late summer root readily; overwinter young plants indoors. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.
Toxicity to pets
Geranium (pelargonium) is toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Pelargonium as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to geraniol and linalool. Symptoms include vomiting, depression, and dermatitis. True hardy geraniums (Geranium) are not toxic. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).
Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.
Geranium (pelargonium) care — frequently asked questions
What is the common name for Pelargonium × hortorum?
Pelargonium × hortorum is most commonly called Geranium (pelargonium), but it is also known as zonal geranium, bedding geranium, pelargonium. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Geranium (pelargonium) apply identically to anything sold as zonal geranium.
How much light does geranium (pelargonium) need?
Geranium (pelargonium) grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). 6+ hours of direct sun for the heaviest flowering.
How often should I water geranium (pelargonium)?
Water geranium (pelargonium) when the top of the soil is dry, every 5-10 days. Drought-tolerant; over-watering produces yellow leaves and root rot. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.
Is geranium (pelargonium) toxic to cats and dogs?
Geranium (pelargonium) is toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Pelargonium as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to geraniol and linalool. Symptoms include vomiting, depression, and dermatitis. True hardy geraniums (Geranium) are not toxic.
What USDA hardiness zone does geranium (pelargonium) grow in?
Geranium (pelargonium) is rated for USDA zone 10-11 (overwinter indoors elsewhere) and RHS hardiness H1c (tender). Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.
Geranium (pelargonium) deep-dive guides
Every aspect of geranium (pelargonium) care, each with its own calibrated guide:
- Geranium (pelargonium) watering schedule
- Geranium (pelargonium) light requirements
- Best soil mix for geranium (pelargonium)
- Geranium (pelargonium) fertilizing guide
- When to repot geranium (pelargonium)
- How to propagate geranium (pelargonium)
- Geranium (pelargonium) growth rate & size
- Geranium (pelargonium) cold hardiness
- Geranium (pelargonium) temperature & humidity
- Is geranium (pelargonium) toxic to cats & dogs?
- Getting geranium (pelargonium) to bloom
Related guides
Geranium (pelargonium) is also known as zonal geranium, bedding geranium, and pelargonium.