Pelargonium peltatum
Pelargonium peltatum · Geraniaceae
📷 Екатерина Борисова · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant pelargonium peltatum: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Ivy geranium or trailing geranium
- Foliage
- Evergreen, glossy and palmate
- Flowering
- Spring to autumn (April to October)
- Mature size
- Up to 1 m long in hanging baskets
- Growth
- Fast and vigorous
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender (grow as annual or bring indoors in winter)
- Origin
- South Africa
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light, poor to average
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrose copieusement mais laisse le terreau sécher complètement entre deux arrosages, sinon les racines pourrissent en une semaine. En pot, assure-toi que l'eau s'écoule bien au fond, et vide la soucoupe après 30 minutes : c'est LA condition pour une belle santé. Réduis drastiquement l'arrosage en hiver, juste assez pour que la terre ne se dessèche pas.
The common mistake
Le piège classique est de le surcharger en compost riche ou de le replanter trop souvent : les racines étouffent et la plante jaunit avant de mourir. Garde-le au même endroit, change le terreau seulement tous les 2-3 ans, et utilise un mélange très drainant (ajout de perlite ou pouzzolane).
The pro's trick
Pince régulièrement les jeunes pousses (tous les 2-3 nœuds) pendant la croissance printanière et estivale pour forcer la ramification : tu obtiendras une plante buissonnante et généreuse en fleurs plutôt qu'une tige maigrichonne. C'est simple mais change tout le port.
Seasonal watch
En automne et hiver, guette l'oïdium dès que l'air devient humide et frais : des taches blanches poudreuses apparaissent sur les feuilles. Aère bien en cas de confinement, réduis les arrosages aériens et supprime les feuilles atteintes. Évite aussi les courants d'air froid qui peuvent le faire dépérir rapidement.
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, but let the substrate dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering in winter, maintaining just slight moisture. Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
Light and exposure
Place your ivy geranium in full sun or partial shade for generous flowering. It tolerates heat well and handles very bright positions. Less light slows flowering and favors leaf development over flowers.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch back the tips regularly to encourage branching and a denser shape. Remove spent flowers as they fade (deadheading) to extend the blooming period. In late winter, prune hard if you want to keep it from year to year.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer every two weeks during flowering. Don't over-fertilize: soil that's too rich reduces flowers in favor of foliage. Stop feeding in November.
Soil and repotting
Use light, well-draining substrate (geranium potting mix or potting soil + perlite blend). Pelargonium peltatum hates waterlogging: add gravel at the bottom of the pot or hanging basket. Repot in spring if needed, in a container that's not too large.
Diseases and pests
Watch for powdery mildew and rust, especially in excessive humidity: improve ventilation and avoid wetting leaves. Spider mites and whiteflies can appear in dry indoor conditions: mist regularly or apply natural treatment if needed.
Did you know?
Ivy geranium originates from the coastal cliffs of South Africa, where it naturally hangs from rocks to reach light. Its name 'peltatum' literally means 'shield-shaped,' referring to its characteristic round leaves. In Europe, it became one of the most popular balcony plants, symbolizing Mediterranean window boxes since the 19th century.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Meadow geraniumGeranium pratense
- Bloody Crane's-billGeranium sanguineum
- Rock crane's-billGeranium macrorrhizum
- French crane's-billGeranium endressii
- Purple-vein geraniumGeranium wallichianum
- Himalayan crane's-billGeranium himalayense
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.