Geranium Geranium 'Salome'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Geranium 'Salome' is a perennial plant known for its ornamental qualities. It features lush, green foliage with lobed leaves that offer a textured backdrop for its flowers. The most striking feature of this geranium is the blooms which are typically a rich purplish-blue with a captivating pattern. Each of the flower's petals bears a dark maroon or purple veining that converges to form an eye-catching star-like pattern at the center. The flowers cluster together above the foliage, creating a lovely contrast between the dark veins and the lighter petal base. These blooms are known for their longevity and can provide color and interest throughout the flowering season. The overall appearance of Geranium 'Salome' is one of vibrant blooms set against a lush green canvas, making it a favorite among gardeners looking to add lively color to their garden palette.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae.
- Synonyms
  Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium.
- Common names
  Pelargonium 'Salome'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Geraniums, including the Geranium 'Salome', are generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, consuming parts of the plant, particularly in large quantities, may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- To pets
  Geraniums are known to be toxic to pets, especially to dogs and cats. If ingested, they can cause clinical signs of drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and nosebleeds. In some cases, particularly with large ingestions, geraniums can also cause dermatitis, and in severe instances, hypotension (low blood pressure) may occur. Pet owners should seek veterinary care immediately if their pet has consumed any part of a geranium plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts pollinators: Geranium 'Salome' attracts bees and butterflies, which are vital for pollination of plants and the overall health of the garden.
- Easy to grow: This plant is known for being hardy and easy to care for, making it a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought-tolerant: Once established, it can withstand periods of low water, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Long blooming season: Geranium 'Salome' produces flowers for a prolonged period, from spring to fall, providing long-lasting color in the garden.
- Aesthetic appeal: With its striking blooms and foliage, it adds visual interest to garden beds, borders, and containers.
- Low maintenance: It requires minimal maintenance, including occasional deadheading to promote further blooming.
- Versatile: Ideal for use in various garden designs, including cottage gardens, rock gardens, and as ground cover.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Natural Fabric Dye: The Geranium 'Salome' can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, imparting a range of pink to purple shades depending on the mordant used.
- Garden Design: With its attractive flowers and foliage, the geranium can serve as an excellent ground cover or as a colorful edge for a garden path.
- Culinary Garnish: The petals of Geranium 'Salome' are edible and can be used to add a touch of elegance to salads and desserts.
- Scented Oils: The leaves of the geranium can be infused in oils to create naturally scented products for aromatherapy or perfumes.
- Photography Subject: Due to its vibrant colors and interesting foliage, the plant can be a captivating subject for botanical photography.
- Aromatic Potpourri: Dried leaves and petals can be included in potpourri mixes for a pleasant and natural fragrance in the home.
- Artistic Inspiration: The unique form and color of Geranium 'Salome' can be used as inspiration for artists, particularly in botanical illustration.
- Ice Cubes: Frozen petals in ice cubes can add an unexpected and decorative element to summer drinks and punch bowls.
- Craft Projects: Pressed geranium flowers can be used in craft projects like homemade greeting cards, bookmarks, or in decoupage work.
- Companion Planting: Geraniums can help repel certain insects, making them useful as companion plants in vegetable gardens or around other insect-sensitive plants.

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 are often associated with good health and are used to promote healing.
- Friendship: They can symbolize close relationships and can be given as a gift to a dear friend.
- Fertility: In some cultures, geraniums signify fertility and abundance.
- Positive Emotions: These plants are thought to invoke happiness, joy, and positive emotions.
- Protection: Some believe that geraniums can ward off evil spirits and provide protection against negative energies.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The geranium, commonly known as Geranium 'Salome', should be watered deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This might mean watering once a week, but frequency can change depending on climate conditions such as heat and humidity. Use lukewarm water and try to avoid wetting the foliage, as this can lead to fungal diseases. Depending on the size of your plant, a good starting point is to provide half a gallon of water every week, adjusting as needed for the plant's response and environmental factors.
Light
Geranium 'Salome' thrives best in bright, indirect light. An east- or west-facing windowsill that provides some sunlight but shields the plant from the harshest midday rays is ideal. Avoid placing it in full shade or direct, strong sunlight for extended periods, as this can stunt growth or cause leaf scorch.
Temperature
Geranium 'Salome' prefers moderate temperature conditions, ideally between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants can manage in temperatures as low as 55 degrees at night and can tolerate up to around 80 degrees during the day without issue.
Pruning
Pruning Geranium 'Salome' is essential to encourage bushier growth and prevent legginess. Prune back in late summer or fall, after the blooming cycle has ended, cutting back up to one-third of the plant. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves and spent flowers throughout the growing season to promote new blooms and maintain plant vitality.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Cranesbill 'Salome' thrives best in well-draining soil with a mix of two parts peat, one part perlite or sand, and one part compost. The ideal pH for this plant ranges between 6.0 and 7.0.
Repotting
Cranesbill 'Salome' should be repotted every 1 to 2 years to refresh the soil and to accommodate root growth. It's best to repot in the early spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & Misting
Cranesbill 'Salome' prefers moderate humidity levels, typically ranging from 40% to 60%, which are common in many home environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in partial shade, shelter from harsh sun.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of the Geranium 'Salome', commonly known as the cranesbill or hardy geranium, begins with seed germination, often in early spring, as soil temperatures rise and moisture becomes more consistent. Shortly after, seedlings emerge, displaying small, lobed leaves, and the young plants gradually establish a root system. Juvenile growth continues with the development of a sturdy stem and more intricate foliage, preparing the plant for the flowering stage. During late spring or early summer, the mature plant produces distinctive flowers, which can be violet or blue with darker veins, attracting pollinators to aid in reproduction. After pollination, the flowers develop into fruit capsules resembling a crane’s bill, containing seeds that are dispersed by wind or animals. In autumn, the plant begins to enter dormancy, reducing above-ground growth, although many hardy geraniums, like 'Salome', can maintain some foliage year-round in milder climates.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method of propagating Geranium 'Salome', also commonly known as cranesbill geranium, is through cuttings. This is best done in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. A healthy, non-flowering shoot should be selected and a cutting about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long is taken with a sharp, clean knife or scissors just below a leaf joint. The lower leaves of the cutting should be removed, leaving only two or three at the top. The cut end can then be dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth and planted in a pot with well-draining soil, making sure to water it in well. The pot should be placed in a warm, bright space but out of direct sunlight until roots have developed, which can be checked by gently tugging on the cutting to feel for resistance after a few weeks.