Geranium (Pelargonium)
A genuinely easy-care perennial that thrives in hot, dry conditions and needs little attention once established. Cut back hard by about a third in autumn once flowering finishes to keep growth compact rather than leggy.
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- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Spacing
- 40cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Mature height
- 50cm
- Flowering season
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Common diseases
- Rust, Grey mould (botrytis)
- Common pests
- Caterpillars, Aphids
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: September-November. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: October-November.
Growing stages
Germination & planting
- Choose a full-sun spot; pelargonium roots dislike heavy, waterlogged soil
- Thrives in hot, dry conditions once established, so avoid overwatering from the start
Establishment
- Water lightly while roots establish; low water needs once settled in
- Watch for caterpillars and aphids on young growth
Vegetative growth
- Needs little attention once established, coping well with hot, dry conditions
- Rust and grey mould (botrytis) can appear on foliage in damp or humid conditions
- Caterpillars and aphids can still target new growth
FloweringOctober to March
- Deadhead spent blooms to keep flowers coming through the season
- Watch for rust and grey mould on foliage in damp weather
Dieback & dormancy
- Cut back hard by about a third in autumn once flowering finishes to keep growth compact rather than leggy
- Growth slows over winter before resuming vigorously the following spring