Cranesbill Geranium 'Tiny Monster'
ABOUT
The Geranium 'Tiny Monster' is a vibrant and attractive plant known for its lush foliage and showy flowers. The leaves of this variety are broadly lobed with a soft, sometimes hairy texture, exuding a lush green appearance that provides a nice backdrop for the flowers. The prominent blooms of the 'Tiny Monster' boast a rich, magenta-pink hue with petals that exhibit a rounded shape, often marked with a slight veining or darker coloration that adds depth and contrast. The flowers are clustered together in eye-catching groupings that stand out against the foliage, attracting both the eyes of admirers as well as beneficial pollinators like butterflies and bees. As the name implies, the 'Tiny Monster' has a compact and dense growth habit that makes it an ideal choice for a variety of garden settings where it adds splashes of lively color.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Geraniaceae.
Synonyms
Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium, Garden Geranium.
Common names
Geranium 'Tiny Monster'.
ToxicityTo humans
Geraniums, including the Geranium 'Tiny Monster', are generally not toxic to humans. However, some people may have a sensitivity or allergic reaction to the plant if they come into contact with its oils or sap, leading to skin irritation or rash.
To pets
Geraniums can be toxic to pets, particularly to dogs and cats. If ingested, they may cause symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. In severe cases, ingestion of the plant can lead to more serious symptoms, including hypotension (low blood pressure) and hyperthermia. Pet owners should keep geraniums out of reach and monitor their pets for any signs of distress if they are known to chew on plants.
CharacteristicsLife 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
Hybrid
Benefits
General Benefits- Easy to Grow: Geranium 'Tiny Monster' is known for its ease of cultivation, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it requires minimal watering and can tolerate dry conditions.
- Long Blooming: Offers a prolonged blooming season, often from late spring to early fall, providing continuous color.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract butterflies and bees, promoting pollination in your garden.
- Low Maintenance: Requires little care apart from occasional deadheading to promote further blooming.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for use in borders, containers, and hanging baskets, providing flexibility in garden design.
- Compact Growth: Its compact and mounding habit makes it ideal for small gardens or spaces with limited room.
- Colorful Foliage: Foliage adds aesthetic value to the garden with its vibrant green leaves complementing the bright flowers.
- Disease Resistant: Generally resistant to common garden pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Cold Hardy: Able to withstand cooler temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of climates.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Geranium 'Tiny Monster' can be used as a natural dye source for fabrics and materials, offering shades of green and brown depending on the mordant used.
- The flowers of the Geranium 'Tiny Monster' can be used to add color and decoration to salads and desserts as they are edible.
- The leaves of the Geranium 'Tiny Monster' can be infused in water to create a fragrant rinse for linens and bedding.
- Geranium 'Tiny Monster' can be planted between vegetable crops as companion plants to deter certain pests.
- The plant can be used in potpourri mixtures for its foliage and to add a pleasant scent to your home.
- Pressed Geranium 'Tiny Monster' flowers and leaves can be used in scrapbooking or making herbarium collections.
- The crushed leaves of the Geranium 'Tiny Monster' can be rubbed on wooden furniture as a natural polish and insect repellent.
- The Geranium 'Tiny Monster' can be used in perfumery to capture its unique floral essence in fragrances.
- Used in crafting, the Geranium 'Tiny Monster' can be incorporated into wreaths and floral arrangements for a rustic look.
- Geranium 'Tiny Monster' can be used for educational purposes in schools or community gardens to teach about plant growth and botany.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Unexpected Meeting: The 'Tiny Monster' variety of Geranium hints at a surprising or unexpected encounter, perhaps due to its unique name which contrasts with the typical dainty associations of geraniums.
- Fertility and Reproduction: Geraniums in general are often associated with fertility and the continuation of life owing to their abundant growth and profuse flowering.
- Friendship: Sharing a geranium plant or even its blooms can be symbolic of deep friendship and meaningful bonds between individuals.
- Health and Healing: Historically, geraniums have been used in folk medicine, which leads them to sometimes symbolize health and recovery.
- Positive Emotions: The cheerful flowers of geraniums are commonly associated with happiness, good spirits, and positive energy, which might extend to the 'Tiny Monster' variety.
WaterGeranium 'Tiny Monster', commonly known as Cranesbill, prefers consistent moisture but dislikes waterlogged soil. Water thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, which typically equates to once or twice a week, depending on the climate and weather conditions. During the hot summer months, water the plant with approximately one gallon per week, adjusting during cooler periods or rainfall to prevent overwatering. It's best to water Cranesbill in the morning to allow foliage to dry out during the day and reduce the risk of disease.
LightCranesbill thrives in a location with full sun to partial shade exposure. Ideally, it should receive at least six hours of sunlight daily, which promotes healthy growth and abundant blooming. In regions with particularly hot summers, some afternoon shade will protect the plant from intense sun.
TemperatureCranesbill is hardy and can survive in a range of temperatures but performs best when the temperature is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frosts and extreme cold, which could damage the plant.
PruningPrune Cranesbill in the early spring or after it finishes its first bloom to encourage a second wave of flowers. Remove any dead or damaged stems and spent flower heads. Pruning every year or as needed helps maintain plant shape and promotes healthy, dense growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe 'Tiny Monster' Geranium, a cultivar of Cranesbill, thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mixture of two parts potting soil, one part perlite or sand, and one part compost or well-rotted manure is ideal. To maintain optimal growth, the soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.8 to 7.0.
RepottingThe 'Tiny Monster' Geranium should be repotted every two to three years or when it outgrows its current pot. It's best to repot in the spring when the plant is emerging from dormancy and can recover from the stress of repotting more easily.
Humidity & Misting'Tiny Monster' Geraniums prefer average to slightly above-average humidity levels but are quite adaptable to a range of conditions. They do well in typical household humidity levels, so no special adjustments are usually necessary.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and water when topsoil is dry.
Outdoor
Needs full sun to partial shade, and well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Geranium 'Tiny Monster' begins with germination, where seeds planted in well-drained soil sprout in warmth and sufficient light. After germination, seedlings develop true leaves and a strong root system, requiring regular watering and bright, indirect light. The vegetative growth stage follows, during which the plant develops a larger, bushier structure, producing thick stems and more leaves, and benefits from occasional fertilization. When mature, Geranium 'Tiny Monster' enters the flowering stage, with bright magenta-pink blooms appearing repeatedly throughout the growing season. After flowering, if not deadheaded, it may produce seeds, allowing for the natural propagation of new plants. Finally, in perennial growing zones, the plant enters a dormancy phase during colder months, where above-ground growth dies back, to reemerge the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Geranium 'Tiny Monster', commonly known as a type of Cranesbill or Hardy Geranium, is commonly propagated through the division of the plant. This method is most successfully carried out in the spring or early fall. To propagate by division, you would carefully dig up the plant, ensuring that you get a good amount of the root system. Then, using your hands or a sharp knife, divide the plant into smaller sections, ensuring each section has roots and a few shoots. Replant these divisions at the same depth they were growing before, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. Water the newly planted divisions well to help establish them. This method allows gardeners to create new plants that are exact clones of the mother plant, maintaining all its desirable traits.
