Geranium Pelargonium 'Madame Crousse' (I/d)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The plant commonly known as the geranium 'Madame Crousse' is a striking variety that is cherished for its attractive foliage and blooms. The leaves of this particular geranium are typically rounded with a scalloped or lobed edge, presenting a lush green backdrop that accentuates the flowers. These leaves might often have a unique zonal pattern, which can appear as darker bands across the middle of the leaves, adding to its ornamental value. The real stars of the 'Madame Crousse' are its flowers. This plant produces showy blossoms that are assembled in clusters, known as inflorescences, which make a profound impact in gardens or as part of potted arrangements. Each flower is composed of rounded petals that are taut and often display a rich color, ranging from deep pinks to purples. The blooms can sometimes have distinctive markings or a gradient of hues, which further enhances their visual appeal. These flowering clusters emerge atop sturdy stems that rise above the foliage, offering a lovely contrast between the colorful blossoms and the green leaves. Overall, the geranium 'Madame Crousse' is admired for its decorative qualities, both in foliage and in its vibrant, blooming clusters, making it a popular choice for gardeners and plant enthusiasts who wish to add a splash of color to their plant collection.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae
- Synonyms
  Madame Crousse Geranium, Scented Geranium
- Common names
  Pelargonium 'Madame Crousse'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Geraniums, such as Pelargonium 'Madame Crousse', are not considered highly toxic to humans. However, if ingested they can cause minor symptoms which may include gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. It is generally advisable to avoid eating any parts of ornamental plants due to the potential for mild stomach upset or allergic reactions.
- To pets
  Geraniums are known to be toxic to pets, especially to cats and dogs. If ingested, the plant can cause symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. In some cases, ingestion could potentially lead to more severe conditions such as hypotension or hyperthermia. It is important to discourage pets from chewing on any part of the plant and to seek veterinary care if ingestion is suspected.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- 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
- Enhances Garden Aesthetics: Madame Crousse geraniums add a splash of color and texture to gardens and landscapes with their vibrant blooms and attractive foliage.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollinating other plants in the garden.
- Easy to Grow: Madame Crousse geraniums are known for being hardy and easy to care for, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerant: These plants can tolerate periods of dryness, reducing the need for frequent watering and making them suitable for xeriscaping.
- Long Blooming Period: Madame Crousse geraniums have a long flowering season, providing a consistent display of color throughout spring and summer.
- Container Friendly: They can be grown successfully in pots and containers, offering flexibility in garden design and space utilization.
- Deer Resistant: Geraniums are generally not preferred by deer, so they can survive in areas where deer browsing can be a problem for other plants.
- Versatile Usage: These plants can be used in a variety of garden styles including borders, rock gardens, and as ground cover plants.
- Low Maintenance: Requiring minimal pruning and care, Madame Crousse geraniums are ideal for those who want a beautiful garden without extensive upkeep.
- Propagation Ease: Propagation through cuttings is relatively easy, allowing gardeners to expand their collection and share with others.
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
- Insect Repellent: Pelargoniums have been used in gardens as a natural way to ward off mosquitoes due to the fragrance their leaves release when brushed against or crushed.
- Garden Design: 'Madame Crousse' can be planted in borders or used as a focal point in a garden design due to its vibrant blooms and compact growth habit.
- Pressed Flower Crafts: The blossoms of the geranium can be delicately pressed and used in creating bookmarks, greeting cards, or framed botanical art.
- Education: Schools or educational programs can use geraniums to teach children about plant biology, propagation, and gardening basics.
- Scented Oils: The leaves of the geranium contain oils that can be infused into carrier oils for use in aromatherapy or natural homemade perfumes.
- Color Dyes: Historically, some species of Pelargonium have been used to create natural dyes for fabrics or other materials, although 'Madame Crousse' may not be the ideal candidate for strong dyes.
- Culinary Garnishes: Edible Pelargonium varieties can be used as a decorative and flavorful garnish in culinary dishes, though care must be taken to ensure the specific variety such as 'Madame Crousse' is safe for consumption.
- Feng Shui: In the practice of Feng Shui, placing geraniums in certain areas of the home is believed to bring positive energy, enhance relationships, and improve overall well-being.
- Photography: Geraniums, with their attractive flowers and leaves, make excellent subjects for botanical photography, helping gardeners and photographers to practice their skills.
- Companion Planting: Geraniums can be planted alongside a variety of other plants to create a diverse and healthy garden ecosystem, as they are generally compatible with many garden vegetables and flowers.

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 - Geraniums, in general, are believed to symbolize comfort due to their lovely scent and cozy appearance, which is thought to ease the mind and promote relaxation.
- Friendship - Sharing a geranium plant is a common way to show friendship, as the plant is durable and can represent the enduring nature of the relationship.
- Health - Geraniums are often associated with good health or wishes for health, partly because in the past they have been used in herbal remedies.
- Positive emotions - The bright and colorful flowers of geraniums symbolize happiness and positive emotions, uplifting the spirit when gifted or displayed.
- Good luck - Some cultures consider geraniums to bring good luck, especially when planted at the entrance of a home.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Geraniums, including the Pelargonium 'Madame Crousse', should be watered thoroughly when the soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means once a week during active growth periods. During the summer months, they might need water more frequently, especially if they're in containers or in regions with high temperatures. Ensure that the plant receives about 1 inch of water each time you water, making sure it reaches the roots without leaving the soil waterlogged. In the winter, reduce watering to every other week, as geraniums need less moisture during dormancy. Always allow for good drainage to prevent root rot.
Light
Geraniums need bright, indirect sunlight for most of the day, making an east- or west-facing window an ideal spot. They can also tolerate direct morning sunlight with some afternoon shade. Avoid placing your geraniums in full, harsh afternoon sun as it can scorch the leaves and impede blooming.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for geraniums is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, dropping to 55 to 65 degrees at night. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost. To encourage robust growth and flowering, maintain consistent temperatures within this range, avoiding sudden temperature fluctuations.
Pruning
Pruning geraniums encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Remove spent flowers and dead leaves regularly to maintain plant vigor. Cut back leggy stems in early spring, pruning up to one-third of the plant to promote new growth. The best time for major pruning is late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Geranium 'Madame Crousse' thrives in a soil mix that's well-draining, consisting of equal parts peat, perlite, and potting soil. An ideal pH for this geranium is between 6.0 and 7.0.
Repotting
Geraniums like 'Madame Crousse' should be repotted annually in spring to refresh the soil and accommodate growth.
Humidity & Misting
Geranium 'Madame Crousse' prefers average room humidity levels between 40-60%.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, avoid overwatering.
- Outdoor
  Full sun to partial shade, shelter from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
Pelargonium 'Madame Salleron' (incorrectly identified as 'Madame Crousse') germination begins with the sowing of seeds in a well-draining, warm, and moist substrate, often in late winter or early spring. Seedlings emerge and develop true leaves, transitioning into young plants that require transplanting to individual pots or garden locations. The vegetative stage is characterized by robust growth of stems and foliage, with regular watering and occasional fertilization promoting healthy development. Flowering occurs during the warmer months, with the plant producing its distinctive blooms that may require deadheading to encourage further flowering. As temperatures cool, Pelargonium 'Madame Salleron' enters a period of dormancy, where growth slows, and it may be overwintered indoors in colder climates. The following spring, the plant can be pruned to rejuvenate growth, completing the cycle, and it can be propagated through cuttings to produce new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: Pelargonium 'Madame Crousse', commonly known as a variety of geranium, is typically propagated through stem cuttings. The ideal time to take these cuttings is late winter or early spring, as the plant begins to grow more actively. To propagate, one would select healthy, non-flowering stems and cut them to a length of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm). The cutting should have several leaves but the lower ones must be removed. The cut end is then dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth and planted in a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix. The soil should be kept moist, and the pot should be placed in a warm area with indirect light. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new geranium can be transplanted to its final location.