Also known as Stork's Bill · 55 saves
Erodium
Erodium, the genus most gardeners know as stork's bill. We track 3 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 3 most-saved Erodium varieties
Track your Erodium in Sow
Save the Erodium you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Erodium
Whats common across all Erodium varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them.
The Erodium year
- Spring CleanupFebruary100% of varieties
Remove any winter-damaged or dead foliage before new growth starts
- PlantMarch and September67% of varieties
Plant in well-drained soil in spring or early fall
- PruneJuly67% of varieties
Lightly shear back spent flowering stems to encourage rebloom and tidiness
- DivideMarch and September67% of varieties
Divide congested clumps every 3-5 years if center growth declines
Do
- Water sparingly once established 💧
- Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Place in full sun for best flowering
- Water moderately to keep soil slightly moist 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Allow soil to become waterlogged
- Overcrowd plants, limiting airflow
- Use heavy, clay soils without amendment
What goes wrong with Erodium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning of foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Use fungicidal spray and improve air circulation |
Making more Erodium
Seed
- Surface sow seeds on moist, well-draining soil
- Mist lightly and keep soil moist for 2 weeks
- Maintain temperatures around 65-75°F
- Germination occurs in 14-21 days
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Maintain humidity and wait 4 weeks for roots to develop.
Erodium questions
How many types of Erodium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Erodium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 55 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Erodium grow in?
Across its varieties, Erodium covers USDA Zones 5–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Erodium bloom?
Most Erodium varieties bloom in late spring to late summer, late spring to early fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Erodium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.