These plants need full sun and tolerate loose, moist, well-draining soil.
All geraniums are toxic to humans and animals.
Soil
Aloam or sandy loamprovides the drainage and root aeration that ivy geraniums need.
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It’s more important to have loose, draining soil than rich soil.
Water
Ivy geraniums like regular watering, but not soggy conditions.
Allow the surface of the soil to dry out between waterings.
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Temperature and Humidity
As a South African native, ivy geranium plants like moderate summer temperatures.
Average to low humidity is best for thriving ivy geraniums.
High humidity sets the stage forfungal diseases.
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Provide nutrients by planting ivy geraniums in potting soil pre-enriched with fertilizer.
These potting mixes will feed plants with a slow-release fertilizer for one growing season.
Hybrids and named cultivars oftendo not come truefrom seed, though the results might still be interesting.
‘Crocodile’ Ivy GeraniumJoshua McCullough/Getty Images
However, the ‘Tornado’ series and the ‘Summer Showers’ series are two cultivars offered as seed.
Use relatively large containers that hold a good amount of commercial potting mix so the soil retains sufficient moisture.
Perennial potted ivy geraniums should be repotted into larger containers every couple of years as they become root-bound.
‘Mahogany’ Ivy Geranium
Handle ivy geranium plants at the root ball during the potting process.
Locate plants away from high-traffic areas so the stems remain intact.
Overwintering
Ivy geraniums are normally grown as annuals and discarded at the end of the season.
‘Temprano Butterfly’ Ivy GeraniumPhotos Lamontagne/Getty Images
The plants may survive the winter and be returned outdoors in the spring.
Insecticidal soaps or neem oil can effectively treat these pests.
Leaf spot fungal disease(pictured here) can afflict overwatered plants, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
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When temperatures stay below 80F, the plants will continue to experience regular blooming.
What Do Ivy Geranium Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Fragrant umbels of single white, pink, and red blooms sometimes have dark markings.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Deadheading spent flower heads will promote new blossoms well into fall.
When your ivy geranium becomes leggy,prune it backby about half.
This will create a more dense, bushy plant, and encourage a new flush of blooms.
Oedema causes the plant to develop corky spots on the underside of older leaves due to ruptured plant cells.
If you see this symptom, adjust your watering schedule to irrigate more often but in smaller quantities.
Plant Becomes Sparse and Woody
Older ivy geranium plants can get woody and sparse over time.
If so, prune them back severely and wait for new growth to fill in.
This is most common with potted plants that move between indoor and outdoor locations over several years.
Woody growth can also mean the plants should be repotted into larger containers.
Ivy geraniums will do best in full and bright sunlight.
Zonal geraniums have larger, round leaves and an upright habit compared to ivy geraniums.
Pelargonium peltatum.North Carolina State Extension.
