Also known as Stork's Bill · 45 gardener saves
Erodium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Erodium, the genus most gardeners know as stork's bill. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Erodium varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedDouble-flowered Heron's Bill
Erodium reichardii 'Flore Pleno'
#2 most savedCharm Alpine Geranium
Erodium reichardii 'Charm'
#3 most savedWhite Stork's Bill
Erodium reichardii 'Alba'
How to grow Erodium
What the Erodium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
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 45 real gardener saves — 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.
Keep exploring
Erodium shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Erodium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
