Cardinal Geranium Pelargonium 'Cardinalis' (Z)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The plant known as Pelargonium 'Cardinalis' is a striking and ornamental variety with lush, green foliage that has a unique zonal pattern marked by darker colored rings. The leaves are typically heart-shaped or rounded with scalloped, sometimes crinkly edges, giving them a somewhat lacy appearance. As for the blooms, they appear in bold, vibrant clusters at the end of the stems. The flowers are distinguishable by their radiant cardinal red hue, which makes them a focal point in any garden. Each blossom is comprised of five petals, with the upper two usually being slightly larger and more intensely colored. The flowers may exhibit slight vein-like markings, adding to their ornamental appeal. All in all, Pelargonium 'Cardinalis' is known for its showy foliage and brightly colored blooms that can add a touch of elegance to any space where they are planted or displayed.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae
- Synonyms
  Cardinal Geranium, Cardinal Pelargonium
- Common names
  Pelargonium 'Cardinalis'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Geraniums, which include Pelargonium 'Cardinalis', are not considered highly toxic to humans. However, consuming parts of the plant might cause minor symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact with the plant’s sap may sometimes result in skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals. It is advisable to avoid ingesting any part of the plant and to wash hands after handling it to prevent possible skin irritation.
- To pets
  Geraniums, which include Pelargonium 'Cardinalis', can be toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs. If ingested, they may cause symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to more serious health issues such as ataxia or muscle weakness. It is recommended to keep geranium plants out of reach of pets to avoid potential toxicity.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Red
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  10
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Decorative Appeal: Adds a splash of vibrant red flowers to gardens, containers, and window boxes.
- Easy to Grow: Known for being low maintenance and tolerant of a wide range of soil and light conditions.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has a good level of drought resistance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Long Flowering Period: Can bloom from spring into fall, providing a long season of color.
- Attracts Beneficial Insects: Draws in pollinators such as bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity.
- Compact Growth Habit: Suitable for small spaces due to its generally contained growth.
- Versatile Use: Can be grown both outdoors and indoors in pots, making it flexible for various gardening needs.
- Odor Repelling: The scent can be pleasant to humans but may deter certain pests.
- Propagation Ease: Can be easily propagated from cuttings, allowing gardeners to create more plants for free.
- Suitable for Borders: Works well when planted in borders, providing structure and color definition to garden beds.
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
- Crafting Natural Dyes: The leaves and flowers of the geranium can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics and textiles due to their strong pigmentation.
- Insect Repellent: Due to its strong scent, geraniums can be planted in gardens or placed in arrangements to help keep mosquitoes and other insects at bay.
- Mood Enhancer: The fragrance of geraniums can promote relaxation and uplift one's mood when used in aromatherapy practices such as scented candles or potpourri.
- Flavoring Agent: The leaves, particularly in the rose-scented variety, can be used in small quantities for culinary purposes to flavor sugars, jellies, teas, or pastries.
- Educational Purposes: These plants can be used in school projects or educational workshops to teach about plant propagation and horticulture.
- Artistic Inspiration: The vibrant colors and forms of geraniums can inspire artists and photographers for various creative projects.
- Companion Planting: Geraniums can be planted alongside vegetables and other garden plants to confuse pests with their strong scent, thus acting as a natural pest deterrent.
- Horticultural Therapy: Geraniums, with their easy care and beautiful blooms, can be used in therapeutic garden settings to promote wellness and healing.
- Festive Decorations: Blooms of the geranium can be used to create eco-friendly, festive wreaths or wedding corsages.
- Soil Health Indicator: Geranium plants can be used as indicators of soil health, as vibrant plant growth often reflects well-balanced soil conditions.

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
- Comfort: Often given as a gift to offer comfort and well-being to someone who is going through a period of difficulty.
- Sturdiness: The robust nature of the Geranium symbolizes the strength and endurance one possesses to overcome obstacles.
- Good Health: Geraniums are also associated with the wish for good health, both physical and emotional, for oneself or another.
- Friendship: With their rich and colorful blooms, they frequently represent the positive emotions and memories shared between friends.
- Positivity: The vibrant colors of the Geranium can signify cheerfulness and a positive outlook on life.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Geranium 'Cardinalis' prefers to be watered thoroughly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out before the next watering. During active growth, particularly in the spring and summer, this may mean watering once or twice a week, especially in hotter climates. Aim to water with 1 to 2 gallons per week during peak summer heat, reducing the amount as growth slows in fall and winter. Avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent fungal diseases, and ensure that the plant has well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Light
Geranium 'Cardinalis' thrives in bright, indirect light, but can also handle a few hours of direct sunlight daily. Ideally, place the plant near an east or south-facing window where it receives morning or late afternoon sun. Avoid locations with harsh midday sun which can scorch the leaves, and consider providing light shade during the hottest part of the day in particularly sunny climates.
Temperature
Geranium 'Cardinalis' can tolerate a temperature range from about 55 to 75°F for optimal growth. They can survive brief periods outside this range, down to about 33°F and up to around 90°F, but these extremes should be avoided if possible. Consistent temperatures within this ideal range will promote healthy, vigorous growth.
Pruning
Pruning Geranium 'Cardinalis' helps maintain its shape, encourages bushier growth, and removes spent blooms to promote further flowering. Prune lightly throughout the growing season to deadhead and remove yellowing leaves. A more thorough pruning can be done in early spring, cutting back up to one-third of the plant to stimulate new growth and improve air circulation.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Geraniums, such as Pelargonium 'Cardinalis', thrive in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. A good soil mix for geraniums is one part peat moss, one part perlite, and one part potting soil. This mix ensures proper drainage and aeration for healthy root growth.
Repotting
Geraniums should be repotted every one to two years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. Pelargonium 'Cardinalis' should be repotted in the spring before the onset of the active growing season for best results.
Humidity & Misting
Geraniums prefer moderate humidity levels. Excessive humidity can lead to fungal diseases in Pelargonium 'Cardinalis'. Ensure good air circulation around the plant to maintain optimal health.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, well-drained soil, avoid overwatering.
- Outdoor
  Full to partial sun, well-draining soil, water sparingly.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
Pelargonium 'Cardinalis', commonly known as geranium, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in a well-draining soil mix, with temperatures around 70°F (21°C) being ideal for germination. After germination, the seedlings develop true leaves and are eventually transplanted into individual pots or garden beds, where they enter a vegetative growth stage, forming a bushy structure with lobed leaves. The plant soon reaches maturity and starts to produce distinctive flowers, which can be red, pink, purple, or white, depending on the variety, marking the reproductive stage. Flowers are followed by the formation of seed capsules that, once dried, will release seeds upon disturbance to complete the cycle. Geraniums can also be propagated vegetatively through cuttings, bypassing the seed stage and accelerating the growth process. Throughout its lifecycle, the geranium requires consistent watering, plenty of sunlight, and periodic pruning to encourage bushy growth and ample flowering.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: Pelargonium 'Cardinalis', commonly known as Geranium 'Cardinal', can be easily propagated by cuttings. The best time to take stem cuttings for geraniums is late summer to early fall. The process involves cutting a 3 to 5-inch long stem from a healthy parent plant using a sharp, clean cutting tool. This stem should have several leaves but the lower leaves should be removed. The cutting is then dipped into a rooting hormone powder to encourage root development and planted in a pot with well-draining soil mix. It's important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged and to place the pot in a location with bright, indirect light until roots have established, usually in a few weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted and show signs of growth, they can be transplanted into individual pots or into the garden.