The Secret to Growing Pelargoniums Like a Pro

The Secret to Growing Pelargoniums Like a Pro

Why do some pelargoniums thrive effortlessly while others sulk in the same soil? The truth is that these plants reward gardeners who understand their quirks — and once you do, they’ll flood your garden with colour for months. Whether you’ve struggled with them before or have grown them for years, there’s always something new to discover.

Why Pelargoniums Steal Our Hearts

Pelargoniums (often called geraniums) are among the Western Cape’s most beloved perennials. Their vivid colours, resilience, and long flowering season — stretching from autumn to late spring — make them a staple in beds, borders, pots, and hanging baskets.

At Cape Garden, we’ve brought together timeless classics and exciting new varieties from Hendriks in the Netherlands, chosen specifically to perform beautifully in local conditions.

Compact Blooms for Small Spaces: Angel & Elegance

• Angel Fay & Angel Jet – Pansy-like flowers in soft pinks, purples, and vivid tones that add romance to window boxes and small pots.

• Elegance Range – Larger blooms and strong colours with compact growth — perfect for bold containers and neat borders.

Insider tip: Pinch back new shoots early to encourage bushier plants and double the flower display.

Regal Drama: Grandiflorum Varieties

The Grandiflorum group is admired for upright growth and oversized, showy flowers.

• PG Mandarin – Rich orange tones.

• Top Gioia – Pink petals edged in crisp white.

Sun secret: Grandiflorums love morning sun but prefer protection from the Western Cape’s harsh afternoon rays.

Trailing Stars: Tacari Pelargoniums

If you want tumbling colour, Tacari pelargoniums are unbeatable. Their trailing habit makes them ideal for hanging baskets and balcony pots.

• Tacari Lollipop Candy – An all-time bestseller thanks to its vibrant shades and dependable performance.

Pro tip: Rotate hanging baskets weekly so flowers stay even and full all around.

Champions of Reliability

The Champion Range is a go-to for gardeners who want masses of double blooms without fuss.

• Favourites: Champion Red, Flamingo, Rose.

• New arrival: Champion White – luminous, crisp, and available for the first time at Cape Garden.

Timeless Classics: Zonal Pelargoniums

Strong foliage, sturdy growth, and traditional charm.

• Diabolo Red remains a hot favourite, delivering bold colour with minimal care.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can slip up:

• Planting too deep — keep roots just covered.

• Overfeeding with nitrogen — leads to leaves, not flowers.

• Overwatering — mix in sand or perlite to keep roots breathing.

Why They Belong in Every Garden

• Extended season: blooms from autumn to late spring.

• Drought-tolerant: well-suited to Western Cape conditions.

• Versatile forms: upright, trailing, compact, or regal.

• Beginner-friendly, expert-worthy: easy care with endless potential.

Quick Care Guide

• Plant in well-draining soil.

• Give full sun for best flowers (Grandiflorums tolerate partial shade).

• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more.

• Feed with a balanced fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during growth.

Did You Know?

• Pelargoniums were first collected at the Cape in the 1600s and quickly became one of Europe’s most popular garden exports.

• The Angel Range was created by crossing regal pelargoniums with compact forms — a Cape contribution to global breeding.

Your Pelargonium Season Starts Here

This October at Cape Garden, we celebrate pelargoniums in all their forms — from compact Angels and showy Elegance blooms, to regal Grandiflorums, cascading Tacaris, dependable Champions, and timeless Zonals.

Bright, resilient, and easy to grow — there’s a pelargonium for every corner of your garden. Don’t miss the chance to plant this season’s newest and rarest colours, available now at Cape Garden.