Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' (Burgundy regal geranium) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Bright light with some direct morning sun deepens the burgundy colour and supports full trusses; shield from fierce midday summer sun, which scorches foliage and cuts the flowering short. 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy': when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 5-7 days in growth. 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. Water thoroughly, let the surface dry, then water again; reduce after flowering and keep nearly dry in winter. Water at the base to avoid wetting the dense crown.

Soil and pot

Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' grows best in free-draining loam-based potting mix. John Innes No. 2 with added grit provides drainage and stability. Avoid soggy, water-retentive composts that trigger black-leg. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH is best. 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

Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' sits happiest at around 30-50% humidity and 10-21°C (50-70°F). Average to dry air is fine; ventilation matters most, as humid, stagnant conditions encourage grey mould and rust on the bushy foliage. If you keep the room above 10 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy' sparingly. Feed every 1-2 weeks with a balanced liquid feed in spring, switching to high-potash as buds form; stop feeding when flowering ends and over winter. 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Brief flowering window — Regals bloom mainly in spring; a cool winter rest and bright spring conditions promote a fuller flush.
• Pelargonium rust — Brown pustules under leaves in humid air; remove affected leaves and improve airflow to slow its spread.
• Black-leg / stem rot — Stem base blackens after overwatering or cold, wet compost; water sparingly into a free-draining mix.
• Aphids and whitefly — Frequent under glass, distorting new growth and leaving honeydew; use insecticidal soap or biological controls.

Propagation

Take 8-10 cm semi-ripe cuttings from non-flowering shoots in late summer. Remove lower leaves, let the base callus, and root in gritty, just-moist compost at around 18°C; rooting takes 3-4 weeks. 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

Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' is toxic to pets. The ASPCA lists Pelargonium species (geranium) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The toxic principles are geraniol and linalool, and ingestion causes vomiting, anorexia, depression and dermatitis. Keep away from pets prone to chewing plants. 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.

Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' watering schedule
• Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' light requirements
• Best soil mix for pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy'
• Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' fertilizing guide
• When to repot pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy'
• How to propagate pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy'
• Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' growth rate & size
• Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' cold hardiness
• Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' temperature & humidity
• Is pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy' toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy' toxic to cats?
• Is pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy' toxic to dogs?
• Getting pelargonium x domesticum 'burgundy' to bloom

Featured in these plant shortlists

Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best flowering houseplants — Indoor plants grown for their blooms — selected from the flowering species in Growli’s plant-care library.
• Houseplants toxic to cats & dogs — The common houseplants the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs — the ones to keep out of reach, each with its symptoms and a safe alternative.
• Best houseplants for a cool room — Houseplants that tolerate cool conditions down to about 10°C — for an unheated spare room, hallway, porch or a home kept cool.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Pelargonium x domesticum 'Burgundy' is also commonly called Burgundy regal geranium or Martha Washington Burgundy.

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