Geraniums , in the main Pelargonium mintage , are cherished flowering plant from South Africa , celebrated for their vivacious blooms in shades of red , clean , pinkish , and purple . Often confused with true Geranium cranesbills , Pelargoniums feature rounded , sometimes sweet folio and clump of flowers on farseeing stalks . These versatile industrial plant bring charm to garden , containers , and indoor spaces .
Growing 6 - 24 inches improbable , geraniums boom in full sun with well - drained soil , blossom from spring to frost in zones 9 - 12 . Their drought and warmth tolerance makes them ideal for low - care landscape or xeriscaping . Trailing form cascade beautifully in hanging basket , while vertical types strike in beds or pots .
Geraniums attract bee , butterflies , and hummingbirds , boosting garden biodiversity . Deer- and rabbit - resistant , they ’re perfect for wildlife - prone areas . Compact varieties , like zonary geranium , excel indoors with bright light , add year - round color to plate or patio .
concern includes weekly watering , letting soil wry between Roger Huntington Sessions , and monthly fertilization with a 10 - 10 - 10 mix to enhance blooms . Deadheading spent flowers advance continuous inflorescence , and spring pruning keeps plants goodly . In cold zone , they ’re grown as annual or overwinter indoors .
Pests like aphid or whiteflies and issues like root rot can occur , but neem oil and proper drainage help . Overwatering is a coarse mistake , so supervise soil moisture . Their resiliency suits initiate , though consistent care maximizes their stunning display .
Red Geranium Varieties
Calliope Dark Red ( Pelargonium Interspecific )
Calliope Dark Red , an interspecific cross combining zonal and ivy geranium traits , grow 12 - 14 column inch magniloquent with a 20 - 24 - column inch spread , showcasing large , velvety dark red blossom clusters against showy green foliation . Its mounding , slightly trailing riding habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets , window boxes , or as a vivacious bedding plant .
Thriving in full Lord’s Day ( 6 - 8 hours day by day ) with well - draining soil , it blooms from late spring to ice in geographical zone 9 - 11 , put up heat and drouth . water supply weekly , admit soil to dry between Roger Sessions , and fertilize every 2 weeks with a 10 - 10 - 10 mixing . Deadheading ensures continuous salad days , and its pest resistor suits novice gardener . Its rich color appeal butterflies , enhancing pollinator gardens , though it demand consistent upkeep to maintain peak flowering .
Americana Dark Red ( Pelargonium x hortorum )
Americana Dark Red , a robust zonal geranium , reaches 15 - 18 inch tall and spacious , boasting vivid red , semi - two-fold flower heads up to 5 inches across atop dark green , scallop leave with faint zoning . Perfect for border , container , or as a people planting , it blooms prolifically from give to fall in zones 10 - 11 or as an yearly elsewhere .
need full sun and well - run out soil , it ’s heat - tolerant and needs watering when the top inch of grease dries , with monthly fertilization ( 10 - 10 - 10 ) . Deer- and rabbit - repellent , it ’s low - upkeep but prone to take root rot if overwatered . Its bold blooming make it a landscape gardening basic , geminate well with white or dreary annuals for patriotic displays .
Maverick Red ( Pelargonium x hortorum )
Maverick Red , a compact zonary geranium , grows 14 - 16 inches improbable and broad , featuring promising red , single - bloom clusters against lush , medium - greenish foliation . Its uniform , erect outgrowth suits pots , windowpane boxes , or garden beds , bloom from previous spring to frost in geographical zone 10 - 11 . Thriving in full Lord’s Day with well - draining filth , it tolerates heat and requires weekly lachrymation and semiweekly impregnation ( 5 - 10 - 5 ) .
Deadheading promotes new blooms , and its resistance to gadfly like aphids make it beginner - friendly . Ideal for small space , it attracts hummingbird and add vibrant pops of color , though it need tribute from heavy rainfall to prevent flower damage .
Patriot Bright Red ( Pelargonium x hortorum )
Patriot Bright Red , a vigorous zonal geranium , grow 18 - 24 inches tall with a 12 - 18 - column inch spread , display magnanimous , brilliant blood-red flower head over dark green , zoned leafage . Its upright , bushy form excels in containers , borders , or as a thriller in mixed planters , bloom from spring to fall in zona 10 - 11 .
Requiring full sun and well - debilitate soil , it ’s drought - broad and require watering when soil dries , with monthly fecundation ( 10 - 10 - 10 ) . Resistant to deer and pests , it ’s low - criminal maintenance but requires deadheading for uninterrupted blooms . Its acute colouring makes it a focal point in landscape , perfect for bold , gay displays .
Pinto Premium Deep Red ( Pelargonium x hortorum )
Pinto Premium Deep Red , a zonary geranium , reaches 12 - 14 column inch grandiloquent and wide-eyed , with inscrutable red , semi - double flowers contrasting against vivacious green foliage with subtle zoning . Its compact , well - branched growth is ideal for containers , window boxes , or mass plantings , bloom from former spring to frost in zones 10 - 11 .
flourish in full sunshine with well - enfeeble soil , it stand heating plant and needs weekly tearing , with fertilization every 2 - 4 hebdomad ( 8 - 8 - 8) . Pest - resistant and self - cleaning , it want minimal deadheading , suiting busy gardeners . Its rich chromaticity pairs beautifully with white or yellow flowers , make active garden designs .
Caliente Fire ( Pelargonium Interspecific )
Caliente Fire , an interspecific hybrid , grows 12 - 18 inch tall with a 12 - 24 - inch spread , showcasing fiery blood-red - orange tree flower clusters that tip toward true red , set against coloured green , more or less lobate leaves . Its drop behind habit makes it stark for hanging baskets , raised beds , or as a ground cover in zones 9 - 11 .
require full sunlight to part tone and well - drained soil , it ’s heat- and drouth - tolerant , needing hebdomadal lachrymation and biweekly fertilization ( 5 - 10 - 5 ) . Its vibrant flower draw in pollinator , and its pest impedance ensure wanton care . Regular deadheading maximizes flower , making it a bluff choice for tropic or Mediterranean - style garden .
shower Sofie Red ( Pelargonium peltatum )
Cascade Sofie Red , an ivy - leave geranium , grows 12 - 14 inches marvelous with a 20 - 24 - inch spreading , have bright red , single flowers atop sheeny , Hedera helix - alike leaves . Its cascading stems make a sensational spill in hanging basket , windowpane box , or over retaining walls , blooming from give to fall in zone 9 - 11 .
Thriving in full sun to part shade with well - draining territory , it ’s drouth - tolerant and requires watering when soil dry , with monthly fertilization ( 10 - 10 - 10 ) . Pest- and cervid - resistant , it ’s low - upkeep but benefits from deadheading . Its graceful trailing habit and vibrant blooms make it a favorite for perpendicular gardening or terrace displays .
Great Balls of Fire Red ( Pelargonium peltatum )
Great Balls of Fire Red , an common ivy - leave geranium , reaches 12 - 18 inch tall and across-the-board , with clusters of two-fold , scarlet - blood-red prime against glossy , dark green , ivy - shaped folio . Its trail growth excels in hanging baskets , containers , or as a basis covering , flower from late spring to ice in zone 9 - 11 .
Requiring full sun and well - drained dirt , it stick out heat and humidity , involve hebdomadary watering and fortnightly fecundation ( 5 - 10 - 5 ) . Resistant to gadfly and cervid , it ’s low-pitched - maintenance but involve careful lachrymation to deflect root rot . Its bold blooms attract butterflies , adding vibrancy to summertime garden or indoor distance with plentiful visible radiation .
Fantasia Red ( Pelargonium x hortorum )
Fantasia Red , a zonary geranium , grows 12 - 14 inches grandiloquent and wide , bearing semi - double , pictorial red flower over disconsolate green foliage with elusive zoning . Its compendious , upright conformation suit pots , borders , or mixed planters , blooming from spring to fall in zones 10 - 11 or as an annual in cool climates .
Thriving in full Lord’s Day with well - draining soil , it ’s heat - tolerant and needs hebdomadal tearing , with monthly fertilization ( 10 - 10 - 10 ) . Pest - repellent and lowly - maintenance , it benefits from deadheading to sustain blooms . Its classical red chromaticity complements white or blue flowers , making it idealistic for vivacious , cohesive garden designs .
Candy Red ( Pelargonium x hortorum )
Candy Red , a zonary geranium , hit 12 - 18 inches tall and broad , with hopeful red flowers feature subtle pinkish undertones , set up against lucullan , medium - green foliage . Its bushy , good growth is perfect for containers , garden beds , or as a thriller in mixed arrangements , blooming from belated spring to frost in zones 10 - 11 .
require full Dominicus and well - drained soil , it ’s drought - tolerant and demand watering when soil dries , with fertilization every 4 - 6 weeks ( 8 - 8 - 8) . Resistant to plague and cervid , it ’s beginner - friendly but requires deadheading for optimal blossoming . Its warm red quality create inviting , cheerful displays in any garden scene .
Growing and Caring for Red Geraniums
Red geranium thrive in full sun ( 6 - 8 hours daily ) but tolerate part shade in red-hot clime , requiring well - draining grime enriched with compost or peat moss to forbid tooth root rot . Water weekly , ensuring grime dries between sessions , and fertilize every 2 - 4 weeks with a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 or 5 - 10 - 5 plant food to promote robust blooms .
Deadhead spend flower to encourage uninterrupted flowering , except for ego - clean house varieties like Pinto Premium Deep Red . Hardy in zones 9 - 11 , they ’re get as annuals in cold-blooded regions or overwintered indoors at 45 - 50 ° F , pruned back by one - third before frost . Propagate via stem turn press clipping or come , set out indoors 8 - 12 weeks before the last frost for former bloom .
Common Uses and Benefits
Red geranium are landscaping power plant , shining in flow baskets , window box , borders , and interracial containers . drag kind like Cascade Sofie Red make striking spills in elevated planter , while upright zonals like Patriot Bright Red mainstay bed or serve as thrillers in patio pots . They pull pollinator — bee , butterflies , and hummingbirds — boosting garden ecosystems .
Deer- and coney - resistant , they ’re idealistic for area with wildlife . Their heat and drought permissiveness suits xeriscaping , and compact type thrive indoors with bright spark . Red geraniums ’ bluff color evokes energy , make them consummate for vivacious , middle - catching displays or festive arrangements .
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Red geranium are resilient but face pestilence like aphids , wanderer hint , or whitefly , treatable with neem oil or insecticidal soap , assure near air circulation . tooth root rot and fungous diseases like botrytis arise from overwatering ; use well - draining stain and water only when dry . Yellowing leaf may indicate nutrient deficiency or improper lacrimation — adjust fertilization or check up on drainage .
In extreme heat , provide afternoon shade to prevent folio scorch , specially for varieties like Caliente Fire . Regular deadheading is indispensable for most , though ego - clean type scale down this chore . In zones below 9 , overwinter indoors or take cuttings to continue plants .
