Martha Washington Geranium Pelargonium 'Purple Heart' (Dw/st/c)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The plant known as 'Purple Heart' is a striking variety characterized by its richly colored foliage and flowers. The leaves are typically rounded, with a lush, velvety texture and an almost succulent look to them. They are a deep green in hue, often with a noticeable purple undertone that complements the plant's overall color theme. This purple tinge is more pronounced in the veins, which stand out against the green backdrop of the leaf. Flowers of the 'Purple Heart' are equally attractive and carry a bold, vibrant tone. Typically, the blooms are a bright purple or magenta, which can sometimes appear almost neon in their intensity. The flowers have a classic geranium shape, with rounded petals that are slightly ruffled at the edges, contributing to their ornate appeal. These blossoms are clustered together in groups, forming a showy display that adds an eye-catching pop of color to the plant's presentation. Branching stems are sturdy and hold the leaves and flowers well, showcasing the plant's dense and compact growth habit. The color contrast between the green leaves and the purple flowers makes this plant a favorite among gardeners and houseplant enthusiasts alike, as it provides a unique and beautiful aesthetic to any setting. The 'Purple Heart' is often admired for its ability to maintain vibrant colors without the need for intense light, making it versatile and easy to enjoy in various environments.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Purple Heart Geranium, Purple Heart Pelargonium.
- Common names
  Pelargonium 'Purple Heart' (Dw/st/c)
Toxicity
- To humans
  Geraniums, including the Pelargonium 'Purple Heart', are generally not considered toxic to humans. However, if ingested in large quantities, they may cause mild irritation to the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms might include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact with the skin can sometimes result in minor irritation or a rash, especially for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies to the plant.
- To pets
  Geraniums, including the Pelargonium 'Purple Heart', are potentially toxic to pets, particularly to dogs and cats. If ingested, they can cause vomiting, depression, anorexia, ataxia, and dermatitis in animals. In severe cases, geranium poisoning might lead to an increased heart rate, hypothermia, or occasionally, even death. It's important to keep this plant out of reach of pets and to monitor for any signs of distress if they are known to have ingested any part of the plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Purple
- 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: Adds a vibrant pop of purple with its 'Purple Heart' flowers, contributing to the visual appeal of garden spaces.
- Attracts pollinators: Flowers can attract bees and butterflies, supporting the local ecosystem.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it an easy choice for gardeners of all levels.
- Drought-tolerant: Once established, it can withstand periods of low water, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Heat resistance: Tolerates hot temperatures, which makes it suitable for warm climates or hot summer months.
- Container gardening: Suitable for growing in pots, which allows for flexibility in placement and is ideal for those with limited space.
- Fast-growing: Enables gardeners to quickly establish a dense, colorful ground cover or fill in garden beds and borders.
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
- Art and Craft Supplies: The vibrant leaves of the geranium can be used in flower pressing and crafting activities, providing natural color and interesting textures to art pieces.
- Insect Repellent Sachets: The leaves of the geranium, when dried, can act as a natural insect repellent and be used in sachets to ward off moths and other insects in closets and drawers.
- Natural Dye: The petals and leaves can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or paper, offering hues from light green to soft purples based on the parts of the plant used.
- Culinary Garnish: Edible varieties of geranium can be used as a colorful, aromatic garnish for salads, desserts, or cocktails, adding a unique aesthetic to dishes.
- Aromatic Potpourri: Dried geranium leaves and flowers can contribute to potpourri mixes, providing a pleasant scent to rooms and small spaces.
- Floral Arrangements: Geraniums can be part of floral arrangements, either fresh or dried, to add volume and interest due to their distinct foliage and blooms.
- Creative Photography: Geraniums can be a focal point in macro photography, inspiring artists with their intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
- Soap Making: The essential oils or petals of geraniums can be incorporated into homemade soaps for fragrance and decoration.
- Flavor Infusions: Certain geraniums are used to infuse sugars and syrups with subtle flavor notes for baking or cocktail-making purposes.
- Fragrance Enhancement: Geranium flowers can be placed in a bowl of water to lightly perfume a room with their floral scent.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Pelargonium, commonly known as Geranium, can be used in Feng Shui to foster positive energy and promote good health when placed in the Tien Yi direction, also known as the Health area, of a space.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love and Romance: The deep purple hue of the Pelargonium, often known as "geranium," symbolizes passion and deep love, reflecting the color's traditional association with royalty and nobility.
- Longevity and Timelessness: Geraniums are known for their long-lasting flowers, which embody the idea of enduring beauty and long-term commitment.
- Good Health: Historically, geraniums have been associated with healing and the promotion of good health due to their use in folk medicine and aromatherapy.
- Friendship: The bright and cheerful appearance of the geranium plant makes it a symbol of positive energy and the joys of friendship.
- Comfort: The presence of geraniums in a home is believed to provide a sense of comfort and relieve stress, thereby symbolizing solace and the importance of a peaceful environment.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The common garden geranium, including Pelargonium 'Purple Heart', should be watered regularly but with care to avoid overwatering. Check the top inch of the soil, and if it feels dry, water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. On average, this would mean watering once every 7 to 10 days, but this can vary depending on temperature and humidity. It is crucial not to let the soil become soggy, as garden geraniums do not like to sit in water. As a general rule, it's better to err on the side of underwatering than overwatering, providing about one quart to one-half gallon of water at each watering session depending on the size of the pot and the plant's environment.
Light
Garden geraniums, including Pelargonium 'Purple Heart', thrive in bright, indirect light. A spot near an east or west-facing window where the plant can receive several hours of sunlight daily is ideal. Avoid placing them in direct, harsh afternoon sunlight as it can scorch their leaves. However, they do need some direct morning or late afternoon sun to bloom profusely.
Temperature
Garden geraniums, which include the Pelargonium 'Purple Heart', prefer a temperature range between 65°F and 75°F during the day and should not be exposed to temperatures below 55°F at night. They can handle brief periods of cooler weather but consistent temperatures below this range will harm the plant. On the upper end, temperatures above 85°F may cause the plant stress, so it's best to provide some shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Pruning
Prune your garden geranium, which includes Pelargonium 'Purple Heart', to encourage bushy growth and more blooms. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves and spent flowers regularly to promote healthy growth and prevent disease. Pruning is best done in early spring or after the flowering cycle, usually every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season, to keep the plant looking its best.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Geranium 'Purple Heart' is one that is well-draining, such as a combination of potting soil, peat, and perlite or sand. It should have a slightly acidic to neutral pH, between 6.0 and 7.0.
Repotting
Geranium 'Purple Heart' should be repotted every 1 to 2 years or when it has outgrown its current pot, to ensure continued growth and blooming.
Humidity & Misting
Geranium 'Purple Heart' prefers moderate humidity levels; dry air can make it susceptible to pests, but avoid overly damp conditions to prevent disease.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, avoid overwatering.
- Outdoor
  Place in sunny spot, protect from frost.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
The life of Pelargonium 'Purple Heart', commonly known as the Purple Heart Geranium, begins with seed germination, where the seeds require warm temperatures and moist soil conditions to sprout. Following germination, the seedling stage develops true leaves and establishes a root system. The vegetative growth phase then sees the plant increase in size, producing more leaves and stems, and if conditions are right, it may begin to develop buds. The flowering stage comes next, showcasing the Purple Heart Geranium’s distinctive blossoms, which can be encouraged by ample sunlight and proper fertilization. After pollination, the plant may produce seeds, continuing its reproductive cycle. The plant then enters a period of dormancy during colder months, where active growth ceases, and it may shed leaves in preparation for the next growth cycle in spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Pelargonium 'Purple Heart', commonly known as geranium, can be propagated quite easily through stem cuttings. The best time to take cuttings for propagation is in late summer to early fall. Cut a healthy stem about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long, just above a leaf node. Remove the bottom leaves to expose the nodes and dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting should then be planted in a pot filled with a soilless potting mix. It's important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and to place the pot in a warm, well-lit area but out of direct sunlight. Roots should form within a few weeks, after which the new geranium plant can be transplanted into its permanent location.