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Plant care

Old Father Live Forever (St Helena Geranium) care

Pelargonium cotyledonis

Also called Old Father Live Forever, St Helena Geranium.

RHS H2USDA 10-11Toxic to petsIndoor 30–60 cm tall in cultivation

Watering rhythm

10-14days

Water when the top 3–5 cm of compost is dry, roughly every 10–14 days; reduce in winter

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Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Sharply draining, gritty, low-fertility mix

Humidity

35–55%

Temp

8–25°C

Pet safety

Toxic to pets

Mature size

30–60 cm tall in cultivation

Care at a glance

Light

Bright but filtered. Old Father Live Forever burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Bright, indirect to lightly filtered light suits this species better than fierce direct sun; on St Helena it grows in coastal scrub with some shade. A bright east-facing windowsill or a spot shaded from harsh midday sun indoors is ideal. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering old father live forever: water when the top 3–5 cm of compost is dry, roughly every 10–14 days; reduce in winter. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. The swollen stem acts as a water reservoir, so err on the dry side. Water moderately during spring and summer, reduce significantly in autumn, and keep barely moist in winter. Overwatering causes stem rot at the base, which is usually fatal.

Soil and pot

Old Father Live Forever grows best in sharply draining, gritty, low-fertility mix. A mix of 50% loam or cactus compost and 50% coarse grit or perlite prevents waterlogging around the fleshy stem. Always pot in containers with drainage holes and tip out any saucer water promptly. 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

Old Father Live Forever sits happiest at around 35–55% humidity and 8–25°C (46–77°F). Average household humidity is fine; avoid placing near humidifiers or in consistently damp rooms. Good ventilation is more important than any specific humidity target for this succulent-stemmed plant. If you keep the room above 8–25°C 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 old father live forever sparingly. Apply a dilute, half-strength balanced or low-nitrogen fertiliser monthly in spring and summer only; over-feeding produces lush, disease-prone growth at the expense of the plant's compact, succulent character. 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 old father live forever in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Stem base rot — The thickened stem is highly susceptible to rot if the compost stays wet, particularly in cool winter conditions. Always water sparingly and ensure very free drainage.
  • Leaf drop in winter — Normal semi-deciduous behaviour in cool, low-light conditions; do not be alarmed by moderate leaf loss if growth otherwise appears healthy. Reduce watering and wait for spring recovery.

Propagation

Propagate from stem-tip cuttings taken in spring or early summer; allow the cut end to callus for several hours before inserting in dry, gritty compost. Seed is very rarely available outside specialist collections. 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

Old Father Live Forever is toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Pelargonium spp. as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to geraniol and linalool. Symptoms include vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. As a Pelargonium species, P. cotyledonis carries the same risk as the rest of the genus. 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.

Old Father Live Forever care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Pelargonium cotyledonis?

Pelargonium cotyledonis is most commonly called Old Father Live Forever, but it is also known as Old Father Live Forever, St Helena Geranium. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Old Father Live Forever apply identically to anything sold as St Helena Geranium.

How much light does old father live forever need?

Old Father Live Forever grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Bright, indirect to lightly filtered light suits this species better than fierce direct sun; on St Helena it grows in coastal scrub with some shade. A bright east-facing windowsill or a spot shaded from harsh midday sun indoors is ideal.

How often should I water old father live forever?

Water old father live forever water when the top 3–5 cm of compost is dry, roughly every 10–14 days; reduce in winter. The swollen stem acts as a water reservoir, so err on the dry side. Water moderately during spring and summer, reduce significantly in autumn, and keep barely moist in winter. Overwatering causes stem rot at the base, which is usually fatal. 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 old father live forever toxic to cats and dogs?

Old Father Live Forever is toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Pelargonium spp. as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to geraniol and linalool. Symptoms include vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. As a Pelargonium species, P. cotyledonis carries the same risk as the rest of the genus.

What USDA hardiness zone does old father live forever grow in?

Old Father Live Forever is rated for USDA zone 10-11 (indoor in most climates) and RHS hardiness H2. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Old Father Live Forever deep-dive guides

Every aspect of old father live forever care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Old Father Live Forever qualifies for 6 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Old Father Live Forever is also commonly called Old Father Live Forever or St Helena Geranium.