Pelargonium echinatum
cactus geranium
A tender sub-shrub, with semi-succulent, spiny stems, and lobed mid-green leaves with hairy undersides. Plants are often summer dormant, producing clusters of small white, pink or purple flowers, usually marked with dark red blotches on the petals, in autumn and sometimes again in spring
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Pink Purple Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | White Pink Purple Red | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Pelargonium can be perennials, sub-shrubs or shrubs, sometimes succulent and mostly evergreen, with palmately lobed or pinnately divided leaves and clusters of slightly irregular, 5-petalled flowers
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, sandy loam in a sunny spot. Plants are drought tolerant once established, keep almost dry during the dormant period. May tolerate temperatures down to -3°C for short periods, but will need protection from heavy frosts
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in spring, or by softwood cuttings in early autumn. Allow cuttings to dry for 2-3 days before inserting into medium
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil, glasshouse leafhopper, root mealybugs, aphids, caterpillars, thrips, fungus gnats and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds, black leg, pelargonium rust and pelargonium viruses
Get involved
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