# Geranium

Geraniums are cheerful flowers that are easy to grow! They bloom in many colors and can add beauty to any garden.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and outdoor spaces

![Geranium](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424276/objects/4918.jpg)

## Appearance

The Geranium has delicate, five-petaled flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, or blue. Its leaves are typically lobed or deeply cut, often forming attractive mounds. Many species exhibit distinct veining on their petals.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Spermatophyta
- **Order:** Geraniales
- **Family:** Geraniaceae
- **Genus:** Geranium

## Interesting facts

- Don't confuse true Geraniums with 'Martha Washington' flowers, which are a different plant called Pelargonium!
- Geranium flower petals can sometimes change color as they age, getting darker or lighter!
- Some Geranium species are so tough, they can grow high up in cold mountain regions!
- The name 'Geranium' comes from a Greek word meaning 'crane', inspired by its seed pod's shape!

## Special abilities

- **Seed Flinger:** Geranium can launch its seeds away from the parent plant using a special spring-loaded mechanism, helping them find new places to grow.
- **Scented Shield:** Some Geraniums have fragrant leaves that release oils when touched, which helps them deter hungry animals and insects.
- **Root Spreader:** Geraniums can spread through underground stems called rhizomes, allowing them to quickly colonize an area and store energy.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-90 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-3 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to Fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** Painted lady butterfly (*Vanessa cardui*) — Feeds on flower nectar
- **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on leaves and stems
- **Eaten by:** [Black slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Chews on young leaves

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
- [Everblooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/everblooming): Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period.
- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Geranium?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Geranium?

30-90 cm

### How wide does Geranium spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Geranium?

1-3 cm

### When does Geranium bloom?

Spring to Fall

### Is Geranium edible?

Yes

### Is Geranium toxic?

Mild

### What is Geranium's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Geranium: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/geranium)