Mediterranean Stork's-bill Plant Care
Erodium glandulosum (Cav.) Willd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Erodium glandulosum, called the black-eyed heron's bill, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Erodium, native to the Pyrenees. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Mediterranean Stork's-bill?
Water Mediterranean Stork's-bill every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Mediterranean Stork's-bill?
Mediterranean Stork's-bill (Erodium glandulosum) belongs to the Geraniaceae family within the Erodium genus. Mediterranean Stork's-bill is native to the Pyrenees.
Mediterranean Stork's-bill displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mediterranean Stork's-bill produces small pink, purple, or white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mediterranean Stork's-bill?
Erodium glandulosum requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Mediterranean Stork's-bill Need?
Mediterranean Stork's-bill thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mediterranean Stork's-bill Prefer?
Erodium glandulosum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Mediterranean Stork's-bill prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mediterranean Stork's-bill?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Mediterranean Stork's-bill to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mediterranean Stork's-bill?
Feed Mediterranean Stork's-bill every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Mediterranean Stork's-bill?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Mediterranean Stork's-bill?
Mediterranean Stork's-bill can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to stemless stork's-bill plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mediterranean Stork's-bill Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mediterranean Stork's-bill, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Mediterranean Stork's-bill?
Mediterranean Stork's-bill is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Mediterranean Stork's-bill Need?
Mediterranean Stork's-bill grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mediterranean Stork's-bill is native to the Pyrenees. In cooler regions, grow Mediterranean Stork's-bill as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Mediterranean Stork's-bill is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Erodium genus — compare its care with other Erodium species on PlantoScan.
Erodium is part of the Geraniaceae plant family — browse all Geraniaceae genera and species.
Mediterranean Stork's-bill thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Erodium Species
Other Erodium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Erodium glandulosum (Cav.) Willd., family Geraniaceae (first published in Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 3: 628 (1800)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mediterranean Stork's-bill, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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