Ivyleaf geraniums are tender perennials that thrive in zones 10-11, bringing cascading elegance to gardens, containers, and hanging baskets with their trailing stems and ivy-like foliage. These plants spread generously, reaching 12 to 36 inches wide, and produce showy clusters of single or double flowers in red, pink, lilac, or white throughout the growing season. Unlike their upright cousins, ivyleaf geraniums feature thick, lobed, medium green leaves that give them their distinctive appearance and make them particularly suited to spilling over edges and adorning vertical spaces. In cooler climates, they're grown as annuals and will reward regular deadheading and thoughtful pinching with prolific blooms.
18
Partial Sun
Moderate
10-11
24in H x 36in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
Ivyleaf geraniums deliver abundant, colorful flowers from spring through fall, with a trailing habit that makes them exceptional in hanging baskets and window boxes. Their brittle, spreading stems naturally cascade and spread to three feet or more, creating lush, flowing displays without requiring elaborate training. Remarkably, many of the ivyleaf geraniums available today are hybrids where Pelargonium peltatum serves as a primary parent, blending the species' best characteristics for vigorous growth and consistent flowering.
Ivyleaf geraniums are grown primarily as ornamental flowering plants, excelling in hanging baskets, window boxes, and container gardens where their trailing stems can cascade freely. They're equally at home in the ground in warm climates, where they serve as groundcover or accent plants. In colder regions, they're cultivated as tender annuals, bringing reliable color to patios and porches throughout the growing season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors in a warm environment between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before transplanting to reduce transplant shock. Plant outdoors after all frost danger has passed, spacing plants 12 to 24 inches apart depending on desired density and container size. Container-grown plants can be positioned in hanging baskets or window boxes immediately.
Pinch back stem tips early in the season to prevent legginess and encourage branching; this creates a fuller, more attractive plant with more flowering sites. Promptly deadhead spent flowering stems throughout the growing season to redirect energy into new blooms rather than seed production. Remove any stems that become too long or leggy as needed to maintain the desired shape and fullness.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“The genus name Pelargonium derives from the Greek word 'pelargos,' meaning stork, a reference to the distinctive stork-beak-shaped seed pods these plants produce. Ivyleaf geraniums, as a species, have been cultivated and hybridized extensively in the ornamental plant trade, giving rise to many of the superior varieties gardeners encounter today. The modern ivyleaf geraniums sold widely in commerce represent generations of horticultural refinement, with most being hybrids that incorporate Pelargonium peltatum's trailing habit and free-flowering nature.”