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Needs abundant bright light, ideally 6 or more hours of direct sun (right in the window where sun actually hits the leaves. A strong grow light 4-6 inches away can substitute) daily. A south-facing window within 1 foot of the glass is ideal. Insufficient light prevents blooming and causes drooping foliage.Light
Allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly (water until it drains out the bottom. Empty the saucer after 30 minutes so the roots are not sitting in water) directly onto the soil - not on the leaves or stems. May need daily watering in hot summer months. Reduce significantly in winter. Prone to root rot if overwatered.Water
Does not require high humidity (60-80%. Group your plants together, set them on a pebble tray with water, or run a humidifier nearby) and prefers moderate indoor conditions. Occasional misting (note: misting does not actually raise humidity meaningfully. A pebble tray or humidifier is more effective) or a humidity tray is acceptable but not essential.Humidity
Prefers 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C) in summer. Requires cool nights between 50°F and 60°F (10 to 16°C) to initiate blooming. Not frost-hardy; bring indoors before the first frost.Temperature
moderateDifficulty
Pelargonium grandiflorum plant

Pelargonium grandiflorum

Pelargonium grandiflorum

Moderate

Regal Geraniums are the drama queens of the Pelargonium world, producing large, velvety flowers with ruffled petals and dark blotch markings that look more like azaleas or pansies than typical geraniums. Your plant has a shorter but spectacular bloom window — typically late spring to early summer — and requires cool nights to set buds, which is the main reason it can be tricky to rebloom indoors. Once you nail the light and temperature requirements, it rewards you with some of the showiest flowers available in a houseplant.

Pelargonium grandiflorum plant
Guérin Nicolas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pelargonium grandiflorum plant
Guérin Nicolas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Care Guide

How to grow Pelargonium grandiflorum

Light

Needs abundant bright light, ideally

Water

Allow the top layer of

Humidity

60-80%

Temperature

Prefers 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C) in summer.

Soil

Well-draining potting mix with added

Propagation

Stem tip cuttings taken in

Common Problems

The most common problem is

Did You Know

Fun Facts

Despite being called 'geraniums,' Pelargoniums are not true geraniums — the name stuck from an 18th-century misclassification when South African plants were lumped together with European Geranium species before botanists sorted out the difference.

Pet Safety

Toxic to pets

Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA. Active compounds include geraniol and linalool. Signs of ingestion in pets include vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. Keep away from pets.

Sources

  1. Care Tips - Pelargonium Grandiflorum (opens in new tab)Reference
  2. Care Tips - Pelargonium Grandiflorum (opens in new tab)Reference
  3. Martha Washington Geranium Care: Growing Regal Geraniums (opens in new tab)Reference
  4. Martha Washington Geranium Care: Growing Regal Geraniums (opens in new tab)Reference
  5. Pelargonium x domesticum (Regal Geranium) - Gardenia (opens in new tab)Reference
  6. Pelargonium x domesticum (Regal Geranium) - Gardenia (opens in new tab)Reference
  7. Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Geranium - ASPCA (opens in new tab)Reference
  8. Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Geranium - ASPCA (opens in new tab)Reference
  9. Lady or Martha Washington Geraniums - Iowa State University Extension (opens in new tab)University Extension
  10. Lady or Martha Washington Geraniums - Iowa State University Extension (opens in new tab)University Extension
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