Armenian Cranesbill Plant Care
Geranium psilostemon Ledeb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Geranium psilostemon, commonly called Armenian cranesbill, is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Geranium, family Geraniaceae. It is native to Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Armenian Cranesbill?
Plant Armenian Cranesbill 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 Armenian Cranesbill Native To?
What Is the Armenian Cranesbill?
Armenian Cranesbill (Geranium psilostemon) belongs to the Geraniaceae family within the Geranium genus. Armenian Cranesbill is native to Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation. Armenian Cranesbill is also known as Magenta Geranium.
Armenian Cranesbill displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Armenian Cranesbill produces clusters of colorful, five-petaled flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Armenian Cranesbill?
Water a young or newly planted Armenian Cranesbill 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 Armenian Cranesbill Need?
Armenian Cranesbill thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Armenian Cranesbill Prefer?
Geranium psilostemon tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Armenian Cranesbill prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Armenian Cranesbill?
Well-draining soil with a mix of loam, sand, and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Armenian Cranesbill to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Armenian Cranesbill?
Feed Armenian Cranesbill 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 Armenian Cranesbill?
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.
Armenian Cranesbill 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 Armenian Cranesbill?
Armenian Cranesbill 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 Armenian Cranesbill?
Prune Armenian Cranesbill 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 Armenian Cranesbill in Winter?
Armenian Cranesbill 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 Armenian Cranesbill?
Armenian Cranesbill 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 Armenian Cranesbill Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Armenian Cranesbill, 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 Armenian Cranesbill?
Armenian Cranesbill 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 Armenian Cranesbill Need?
Armenian Cranesbill grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Armenian Cranesbill is native to Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation. In cooler regions, grow Armenian Cranesbill as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Armenian Cranesbill 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.
Armenian Cranesbill 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 psilostemon Ledeb., family Geraniaceae (first published in Fl. Ross. 1: 465 (1842)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Armenian Cranesbill, 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.
