Fauna
Plant

Zonal Geranium

Pelargonium hortorum

Also known as Garden Geranium, Horseshoe Geranium, Fish Geranium

Zonal geraniums feature rounded, soft-textured leaves adorned with a distinctive dark ring pattern across their surface. Dense spherical clusters of five-petaled flowers bloom in vibrant shades of red, pink, salmon, and white throughout warm weather. When bruised, the foliage releases a pungent, spicy aroma that deters many garden pests.

FloweringOrnamentalAromatic
Zonal Geranium reference
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil Nutrients
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Caterpillars
  • Aphids
ThreatsFreezing temperatures, root rot, aphids, caterpillars
HabitatsGardens, flowerbeds, sunny balconies, greenhouses
Life spanPerennial (grown as annual in cold regions)
Classification
  1. OrderGeraniales
  2. FamilyGeraniaceae
  3. GenusPelargonium
  4. SpeciesPelargonium hortorum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep plants out of reach of curious pets.
Why it is dangerous
Foliage contains geraniol and linalool compounds that cause vomiting, depression, and loss of appetite in cats and dogs.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by rounded scalloped leaves marked with a dark central ring and rounded heads of colorful flowers.
What to do
Place pots out of reach of household pets and rinse hands after pruning foliage.
Responsible observation
  • Deadheading: Snip spent flower stems near the base to promote continuous blooming.
  • Sunlight exposure: Position in bright, direct light for six hours daily to produce maximum flower heads.
  • Watering routine: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root decay.
Related species
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