Cape Geranium Plant Care

Cape Geranium (Pelargonium sidoides) belongs to the Geraniaceae family within the Pelargonium genus. Cape Geranium is native to South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho. Cape Geranium is also known as Black-veined Geranium, Umckaloabo.

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

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Cape 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.

Cape Geranium thrives in full sun to part shade.

Pelargonium sidoides tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Cape Geranium 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 Cape Geranium to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cape Geranium 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.

Cape 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.

Cape Geranium 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 Cape 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.

Cape 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.

Cape Geranium 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.

Cape 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.

Cape Geranium grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Cape Geranium is native to South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho. In cooler regions, grow Cape Geranium as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.