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
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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
H1CBotanical 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.