Herb Robert Geranium robertianum 'Album'
ABOUT
Geranium robertianum 'Album', widely known as Herb Robert, is a delicate, flowering plant with a distinctive appearance. It possesses a fine, branching stem that often has a reddish tinge. The leaves are notably dissected and fern-like in appearance, with a soft green color that can sometimes show hints of red or purple, especially in the joints or as the seasons change. When the leaves are crushed, they give off a strong, musky scent that is quite characteristic of the plant. The flowers of Herb Robert are a defining feature, with this particular 'Album' variety boasting pure white petals. The blooms, typically in pairs, are small and have a simple yet pleasing five-petaled formation. At the center of each flower, one will find a cluster of conspicuous stamens that give a delicate contrast to the petals. The Herb Robert 'Album' presents a fine, airy quality in gardens due to its light foliage and the graceful way its stems seem to sprawl or hang. The balanced combination of its dissected leaves and subtle white flowers contributes to its charm, making it a favorite choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance to shady spots or woodland settings where it can naturally thrive.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Geraniaceae
Synonyms
Herb-Robert, Red Robin, Death Come Quickly, Storksbill, Dove's Foot, Crow's Foot, Robert Geranium
Common names
Robertiella robertiana, Geranium purpureum, Geranium robertianum var. purpureum.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Biennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1 foot 4 inches (40 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: The Geranium robertianum 'Album', commonly known as Herb Robert, produces flowers that attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Low Maintenance: Herb Robert is known for its ability to grow in a variety of soil conditions and requires minimal care once established.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its delicate white flowers and attractive foliage, Herb Robert provides visual interest in garden beds, borders, and rock gardens.
- Ground Cover: Its dense growing habit makes it effective as a ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and stabilize soil.
- Shade Tolerance: Herb Robert can thrive in shaded areas where other plants might struggle, making it a versatile choice for different garden spaces.
Medical Properties- Antioxidant: Geranium robertianum 'Album', commonly known as Herb Robert, is known to have antioxidant properties due to its high content of natural antioxidant compounds.
- Antibacterial: The plant has been traditionally used for its antibacterial effects, possibly linked to compounds such as tannins and essential oils.
- Anti-inflammatory: Herb Robert may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Astringent: The astringent properties of Herb Robert may help to tighten tissues and reduce bleeding.
- Diuretic: The plant is sometimes used for its diuretic effect, potentially helping to increase urine production and alleviate fluid retention.
- Immune System Support: There is some traditional use of Herb Robert for enhancing immune system function.
- Gastrointestinal Aid: Herb Robert has been used to aid various gastrointestinal issues due to its potential soothing effects on the digestive tract.
- Hemostatic: It might be used to stop bleeding, both internally and externally, due to its astringent and potential hemostatic properties.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Geranium robertianum 'Album', commonly known as Herb Robert, can be used as a natural dye, giving fabrics a subtle reddish-brown hue.
- The leaves of Herb Robert emit a strong scent that can deter some pests and insects when planted in a garden.
- It has been used as a companion plant, since it is thought to enhance the growth of surrounding plants through its beneficial properties.
- The plant has folklore relevance, often associated with good luck, and has been used in rituals and to ward off negative energies.
- Dried foliage of Herb Robert is sometimes included in potpourris for its aromatic qualities.
- When crushed, the leaves can be rubbed on the skin as a natural mosquito repellent.
- In the past, it was used as a substitute for tea when resources were scarce.
- The plant has been used to impart a distinct flavor when cooking, especially in culinary traditions that emphasize foraged ingredients.
- Herb Robert can be part of a natural art supplies kit; its leaves and stems can be used to create botanical prints on paper.
- Some gardeners use the distinctive look of Herb Robert, with its delicate flowers and foliage, in ornamental fairy and miniature gardens for visual appeal.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Herb Robert is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Herb Robert is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Good Health: Geranium robertianum 'Album', commonly known as Herb Robert, is often associated with the idea of good health and vitality, possibly due to its history of use in herbal medicine for various ailments.
- Healing: Known for its purported medicinal properties, Herb Robert is symbolically linked to healing and recovery, reflecting the belief in its ability to help treat illnesses.
- Fertility: In some traditions, the prolific nature of Herb Robert's growth is seen as a symbol of fertility and plentifulness.
- Prosperity: Its lush and vigorous growth habit can be interpreted as a symbol of prosperity and abundance in one's life.
- Protection: Sometimes, plants like Herb Robert are thought to offer protection, possibly because of their strong aroma or traditional use in folk remedies to ward off evil.
WaterThe Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum 'Album') prefers consistently moist soil, so it should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This typically means you will need to water approximately every 5 to 7 days, depending on climate conditions. Each watering session should provide enough water to saturate the soil; for potted plants, this is usually around 1 to 2 gallons, depending on the size of the pot. During the growing season, in spring and summer, the watering frequency may increase, while in the fall and winter, water less frequently as the plant's growth slows down. Always avoid waterlogging the soil to prevent root rot.
LightHerb Robert 'Album' thrives best in partially shaded locations that receive plenty of indirect, bright light. Avoid placing it in full sun, as this can scorch its leaves. The ideal spot would be an eastern-facing garden or window that provides morning light and dappled sunlight or light shade during the harsher afternoon hours.
TemperatureThe ideal temperature range for Herb Robert is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can tolerate temperatures down to 50 degrees and up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. For optimal growth, avoid exposure to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as it may cause damage to the plant. It is cold-tolerant but should not be subjected to extended periods of freezing temperatures.
PruningPrune Herb Robert regularly to promote bushy growth and remove any dead or yellowing leaves to maintain the plant's health and appearance. Pruning is best done in the early spring to encourage new growth or after the plant has finished its main flowering cycle. Cut back to just above a leaf node or a set of leaves every few weeks to keep the plant compact and to stimulate bushier growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilHerb Robert 'Album' thrives in well-draining soil with high organic matter, and prefers a soil pH of 5.6 to 7.5. A mix of loam, peat, and coarse sand or perlite can create the ideal conditions for its growth.
RepottingHerb Robert 'Album' should be repotted every 1-2 years to replenish the soil and accommodate its growing root system, typically during the spring or early summer.
Humidity & MistingHerb Robert 'Album' prefers moderate to high humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can tolerate a range of conditions, as long as it's not too dry.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with moist soil.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, in moist soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleGeranium robertianum 'Album', commonly known as White Herb-Robert, completes its life cycle as follows: The plant begins as a seed, which germinates in spring given adequate moisture and light. After germination, seedlings establish and develop into a rosette of leaves. As the plant matures, stems elongate, and it produces distinctive deeply lobed leaves and, in this variety, white flowers with five petals during late spring and summer. After pollination, typically by insects, the plant sets fruit, which are beaked capsules with seeds that are ejected when ripe, aiding in dispersal. The plant is typically biennial or a short-lived perennial, dying back after setting seed, but it can also self-sow and hence persist in a suitable habitat year after year.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The white-flowered variety of Herb Robert, Geranium robertianum 'Album', can be propagated effectively by seed. The prime time for sowing seeds is late winter or early spring. The seeds should be sown in a tray filled with seed compost and lightly covered with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite. The tray needs to be placed in a light area but not in direct sunlight, and the compost should be kept moist but not saturated. Germination usually occurs within a few weeks, and once seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots and grown on in cooler conditions until they are large enough to plant outdoors in their final positions.
