Bigroot Geranium Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mytikas'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Cranesbill 'Mytikas' is a perennial plant with a robust and spreading habit. Its foliage is deeply lobed, with a slightly rounded shape, and carries a soft, velvety texture. The leaves exhibit a rich green hue which may turn to a reddish tone as the seasons change. This foliage emits a strong, aromatic scent when bruised or crushed. Cranesbill 'Mytikas' bears clusters of striking flowers, typically with five petals each, that bloom in a vibrant pink or magenta shade, providing a stark contrast against the backdrop of its lush leaves. These blooms have a rounded form and are noted for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden. Overall, the Cranesbill 'Mytikas' presents a dense and decorative appearance that can provide colorful groundcover and visual interest in a garden setting.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae.
- Synonyms
  Bigroot Geranium, Bulgarian Geranium, Rock Crane's-bill.
- Common names
  Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mytikas'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Geranium macrorrhizum, commonly known as Bigroot Geranium, is generally considered non-toxic to humans. It does not typically cause serious harm if ingested. However, it is always prudent to avoid eating ornamental plants since individual reactions can vary, and some parts of the plant might cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
- To pets
  Bigroot Geranium is also considered non-toxic to pets. It is not known to cause poisoning in domestic animals such as cats and dogs. If a pet does consume this plant, it is unlikely to experience more than mild stomach upset. However, it is always best to prevent pets from eating plants, as individual sensitivity may vary.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1 feet 4 inches (40-45 cm
- Spread
  1 feet 8 inches (50-60 cm
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Southeastern Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Easy to grow: Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mytikas', commonly known as Bigroot Geranium, is a hardy plant that adapts well to a variety of soil conditions and requires minimal maintenance.
- Drought resistant: It has a high tolerance for dry spells once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens with limited water availability.
- Erosion control: Its dense growth habit and extensive root system help to prevent soil erosion on slopes and banks.
- Weed suppression: The plant can form a thick ground cover that suppresses weeds, reducing the need for chemical herbicides.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers of Bigroot Geranium attract bees and other pollinators, which are beneficial for the garden and the environment.
- Ornamental value: With its attractive foliage and abundant pink to purple flowers, it adds visual interest to the landscape throughout the growing season.
- Edging and borders: Its mounding growth makes it ideal for use as an edging plant or for creating defined borders in garden beds.
- Deer and rabbit resistant: The plant is rarely browsed by deer and rabbits, making it a good choice for gardens troubled by these animals.
- Fragrant foliage: The leaves of the Bigroot Geranium are aromatic, which can add a pleasant scent to the garden and deter certain pests.
- Seasonal interest: In the fall, the foliage often takes on reddish tones, providing seasonal color and interest.
Medical Properties
- Antimicrobial: The plant contains essential oils that may have antimicrobial properties, potentially inhibiting the growth of certain bacteria and fungi.
- Anti-inflammatory: Geranium macrorrhizum may help reduce inflammation, which is beneficial in treating conditions associated with inflammation.
- Astringent: The astringent properties of the plant can be used for toning the skin and mucous membranes.
- Diuretic: It is sometimes used for its diuretic effect, which can help in the elimination of excess water from the body.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mytikas', commonly known as Bigroot Geranium, can be used in the kitchen as a floral flavoring for desserts and jellies, imparting a subtle, aromatic touch to sweet dishes.
- Leaves of the Bigroot Geranium can be infused into oils and vinegars, adding an herbaceous note to culinary creations and salad dressings.
- The dried foliage of the Bigroot Geranium is sometimes integrated into potpourris for a long-lasting, pleasing scent.
- Live plants can be used as a natural dye source, where parts of the plant can impart colors to fabrics and yarns during the dyeing process.
- Because of its dense growth, the Bigroot Geranium can be used as a ground cover to outcompete weeds in a garden landscape.
- The plant’s flowers can provide a natural food source for some pollinators, helping to maintain local biodiversity and aid in pollination of nearby plants.
- Bigroot Geranium leaves can serve as a natural insect repellent when crushed and rubbed on the skin, due to the fragrant essential oils they contain.
- The sturdy stems and foliage can be used in flower arrangements for greenery or as a base upon which to build more intricate floral designs.
- When planted along slopes or hillsides, Bigroot Geranium acts as erosion control due to its ability to form dense mats of roots that hold soil in place.
- Garden enthusiasts sometimes use the unique textured leaves and flowers in bookmarks or pressed flower crafts for decoration or as personal keepsakes.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Health: Geraniums, in general, are often associated with good health due to their medicinal properties. Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mytikas', in particular, is known for its essential oils and usage in herbal remedies.
- Friendship: Geraniums symbolize friendship, and gifting these plants is thought to express the wish for a friend's happiness and well-being.
- Peace: The gentle and soothing appearance of the plant, with its soft petals, often represents peace and tranquility, making it suitable for creating a calm environment.
- Fertility: Historically, geraniums have been linked to symbolizing fertility and the creation of new life, possibly due to their abundant and easy propagation.
- Harmony: The balanced growth and pleasant aroma of Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mytikas' can symbolize the desire for balance and harmony in one's life.
- Protection: Some cultures believe geraniums have the power to ward off evil spirits, and planting them around the home is meant to provide protection.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Bigroot geraniums, like the Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mytikas', prefer moderate watering. During the growing season, water them once a week with about 1 gallon of water per plant, ensuring the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in the fall and winter when the plant's growth slows. Always check the top inch of the soil for dryness before watering; if it's still moist, delay watering for a few days.
Light
The best light conditions for bigroot geraniums include partial shade to filtered sunlight. They thrive under the dappled light of large trees or on the east or north side of buildings, where they receive morning light and protection from the intense afternoon sun.
Temperature
Bigroot geraniums are hardy and tolerate a temperature range from 20°F to 80°F. They flourish in moderate temperatures between 60°F to 70°F and can survive brief periods of colder or hotter weather. However, prolonged exposure to temperatures outside the 20°F to 80°F range can damage or kill the plant.
Pruning
Prune bigroot geraniums to remove spent flowers and encourage a second bloom. Pruning is best done after the first flush of flowers in late spring or early summer. Cut back the foliage by one-third to rejuvenate the plant and maintain a compact form. This light pruning can be repeated after subsequent blooms to keep the plant tidy.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Bigroot Geranium thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, with a pH ranging from neutral to slightly acidic. You can mix two parts garden soil, one part well-rotted compost or peat moss, and one part perlite or grit to ensure good drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Bigroot Geraniums don't need frequent repotting and can thrive in the same pot for several years, repot only when the plant outgrows its container which is typically every 3-4 years.
Humidity & Misting
Bigroot Geranium prefers average humidity levels indoors. This adaptable plant can tolerate a range of humidity conditions as long as there is good air circulation around the foliage to prevent disease.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and water when dry.
- Outdoor
  Plant in partial shade, water moderately, and ensure soil drainage.
- Hardiness zone
  3-8 USDA
Life cycle
Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mytikas', commonly known as Bigroot Geranium or Balkan Cranesbill, begins its life as a seed, usually germinating in spring when soil temperatures rise. Upon germination, the seedling emerges and develops a rosette of leaves, with the plant gradually establishing a deep and extensive root system. During the growing season, the plant matures and produces distinctive fragrant foliage and clusters of pink or purplish flowers which are attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the plant sets seed, and the fruit capsule, when ripe, can eject seeds some distance from the parent plant, aiding in dispersal. Bigroot Geranium is a perennial, so it enters a period of dormancy in the fall with foliage often turning reddish in color, and it overwinters with its rootstock. The plant re-sprouts from the rootstock the following spring, repeating its life cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- For the Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mytikas', commonly known as the bigroot geranium 'Mytikas', the most popular method of propagation is by division. This is ideally done in the spring or early fall when temperatures are mild. To propagate by division, dig up an established clump of the plant and gently separate the rhizomes into smaller sections, ensuring that each new section has at least one shoot and a portion of the root system attached. These divisions can then be replanted into well-draining soil at the same depth they were growing before. Water the new divisions thoroughly to help establish them. It's important to space the divisions about 12 to 24 inches (approximately 30 to 60 centimeters) apart to provide adequate room for growth.