About

Pelargonium zonale is a species of Pelargonium native to southern Africa in the western regions of the Cape Provinces, in the geranium family. It is one of the parents of the widely cultivated plant Pelargonium × hortorum, often called "geranium", "horseshoe geranium", "zonal geranium" or "zonal pelargonium".

How to grow it

In the 16th century, pelargonium seeds were transported from Africa to Leiden in the Netherlands, where the plant was grown in the botanical garden there. Within a few years, it reached the British Isles, France, Italy and Spain and became popular. It gradually reached the islands of the Caribbean, and in the 17th century it was already known in North America. Today it is naturalized in many subtropical and tropical countries and in colder areas must be grown indoors.

Plants can be obtained from seeds or vegetatively. The hard-coated seeds germinate within 14 days at about 20 °C. once the seed coat is compromised. Micropropagation has been used commercially since the 20th century.

Other Pelargonium plants

Sorrel Leaf Pelargonium · Pilgrim's Rest Pelargonium · Austral storks bill · Rose scented geranium · Pelargonium 'citrosum' · Heart-leaved pelargonium · Nutmeg Scented Pelargonium · Old father live forever · Crisped Leaf Pelargonium · Hooded crane's bill · Dolomite Storksbill · Pelargonium drummondii