Also known as Geranium · 93 gardener saves
Pelargonium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Pelargonium, the genus most gardeners know as geranium. We track 23 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 12 most-saved Pelargonium varieties
Of 23 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most saved'Lord Bute' Regal Pelargonium
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Lord Bute'
#2 most savedZonal Geranium 'Appleblossom'
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Appleblossom'
#3 most savedZonal Geranium
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Azure Rush'
Midnight Ghost Geranium
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Midnight Ghost'
Zonal Geranium
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Dark Red'
Zonal Geranium
Pelargonium x hortorum 'White'
Citronella Plant
Pelargonium citrosum
Rose Scented Geranium
Pelargonium graveolens 'Old Fashioned Rose'
Burgundy Geranium
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Burgundy'
Geranium Cherry Rose
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Cherry Rose'
Zonal Geranium
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Breeders Mix'
Pink Geranium Pelargonium
Pelargonium x hortorum 'Pink'
Browse all 23 Pelargonium varieties →
How to grow Pelargonium
What the Pelargonium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 23 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Pelargonium year
- FertilizeMay–August100% of varieties
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks, especially in containers
- DeadheadMay–September91% of varieties
Remove entire spent flower stalk down to the main stem for continuous bloom
- Pinch TipsApril and May61% of varieties
Pinch growing tips when young to encourage bushier growth
- Winter PrepSeptember and October61% of varieties
Bring plants indoors before the first hard frost if overwintering
- PlantApril and May57% of varieties
Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
Do
- Water when the topsoil feels dry 🌱
- Use balanced fertilizer monthly
- Fertilize monthly during active growth
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry 🌱
- Use a balanced fertilizer monthly during active growth
Avoid
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Allow soil to stay soggy
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Pelargonium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Whiteflies | White flying insects on undersides of leaves | Use insecticidal soap or introduce beneficial insects |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Reduce watering and improve soil drainage |
| Botrytis blight | Gray mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and remove affected parts |
| Botrytis (Gray Mold) | Gray fuzzy mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and remove affected parts |
Making more Pelargonium
Cuttings
- Take softwood cuttings in early summer
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist soil and keep humid for 6 weeks
Seeds
- Sow seeds on the surface of moist soil in early spring.
- Lightly cover with a thin layer of soil.
- Keep soil moist and place in warm, bright location.
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks.
- Transplant seedlings once large enough to handle.
Pelargonium questions
How many types of Pelargonium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 23 distinct Pelargonium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 93 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Pelargonium grow in?
Across its varieties, Pelargonium covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Pelargonium bloom?
Most Pelargonium varieties bloom in late spring, early summer, late spring, summer, early fall, spring to frost. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Pelargonium 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
Design with Pelargonium 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.
