Pelargonium zonale

RHS Plant Profile
zonal geranium

Other common names

horseshoe geranium, zonal pelargonium

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Geraniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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