Vine Pelargonium Plant Care

Vine Pelargonium (Pelargonium acetosum) belongs to the Geraniaceae family within the Pelargonium genus. Vine Pelargonium is native to the eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. Vine Pelargonium is also known as Vine-leaved Pelargonium.

Vine Pelargonium displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Vine Pelargonium produces clusters of colorful, five-petaled flowers in various shades.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Vine Pelargonium 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.

Vine Pelargonium thrives in full sun to part shade.

Pelargonium acetosum tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Vine Pelargonium prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining soil mix with equal parts of potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Vine Pelargonium to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Vine Pelargonium every 6 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.

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

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

Vine Pelargonium 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.

Vine Pelargonium can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 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.

Prune Vine Pelargonium 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.

Vine Pelargonium 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.

Vine Pelargonium can be propagated through stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rose geranium plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Vine Pelargonium 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.

Vine Pelargonium grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Vine Pelargonium is native to the eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Vine Pelargonium as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.