Asphodel Geranium (Geranium asphodeloides)

Photo: Umut Nuri ErdoğanCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Asphodel Geranium Plant Care

Geranium asphodeloides Burm.f.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Featuring deeply lobed, fern-like leaves, this plant originates from the Mediterranean region. Its unique foliage adds a unique texture to gardens, making it a sought-after addition for plant collectors looking to diversify their collection with interesting shapes and colors.

🪴Houseplants🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to part shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Asphodel Geranium?

Plant Asphodel Geranium in full sun to part shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Asphodel Geranium Native To?

Native range43 countries

What Is the Asphodel Geranium?

Asphodel Geranium (Geranium asphodeloides) belongs to the Geraniaceae family within the Geranium genus. Asphodel Geranium is native to southeastern Europe, Crimea, the Transcaucasus, Turkey, and Lebanon/Syria.

Asphodel Geranium displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Asphodel Geranium produces clusters of colorful, five-petaled flowers in various shades.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Asphodel Geranium?

Water a young or newly planted Asphodel Geranium every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Asphodel Geranium Need?

Asphodel Geranium thrives in full sun to part shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to part shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Asphodel Geranium Prefer?

Geranium asphodeloides tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Asphodel Geranium prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Asphodel Geranium?

Well-draining soil with a mix of loam, sand, and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Asphodel Geranium to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Asphodel Geranium?

Feed Asphodel Geranium every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 4 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Asphodel Geranium?

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining soil with a mix of loam, sand, and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Asphodel Geranium is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Asphodel Geranium?

Asphodel Geranium can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Asphodel Geranium?

Prune Asphodel Geranium while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Asphodel Geranium in Winter?

Asphodel Geranium is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Asphodel Geranium?

Asphodel Geranium can be propagated through stem cuttings, division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spiny geranium plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Asphodel Geranium Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Asphodel Geranium, 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 Asphodel Geranium?

Asphodel Geranium 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 Asphodel Geranium Need?

Asphodel Geranium grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Asphodel Geranium is native to southeastern Europe, Crimea, the Transcaucasus, Turkey, and Lebanon/Syria. In cooler regions, grow Asphodel Geranium as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Asphodel Geranium 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 Geranium genus — compare its care with other Geranium species on PlantoScan.

Geranium is part of the Geraniaceae plant family — browse all Geraniaceae genera and species.

Asphodel Geranium thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Geranium Species

Other Geranium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Geranium asphodeloides Burm.f., family Geraniaceae (first published in Spec. Bot. Geran. : 28 (1759)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Asphodel Geranium, 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.
  • Photo: Umut Nuri Erdoğan, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • 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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