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Pelargonium zonale

zonal geranium

One parent of most zonal pelargoniums, P. zonale is an erect, bushy plant with fleshy stems turning woody with age and smooth, rounded, mid-green leaves with a narrow, dark green zone. Generally grows up to 1m but up to 3m against a wall under glass. Clusters of narrow-petalled, pink, white or purple flowers can be produced virtually all year in warm, bright conditions, otherwise in summer and early autumn

Other common names
horseshoe geranium
zonal pelargonium

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Purple White Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Geraniaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
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

Plant range
Temp S Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Remove spent flowers. To overwinter, grow small plants in late summer from cuttings or cut back old plants by one third and lift for storage in frost-free place to repot in spring when growth resumes. May also be grown permanently in a cool greenhouse or conservatory, or as a houseplant

Propagation

Take softwood cuttings in summer and overwinter plants in frost free conditions or take softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

Deadhead regularly. Old plants can be regenerated by cutting back hard in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil, leafhoppers, caterpillars, thrips, fungus gnats and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to foot and root rots in wet soils, grey moulds, pelargonium rust and and a virus

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