Plants
Ivy geranium care: light, water & problems
Scientific name: Pelargonium peltatum · Common name: Ivy geranium
Ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum): full sun. Moderate watering, letting the top inch of compost dry out between waterings.
Editorial revision:
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun. Requires abundant direct sunlight throughout the day to sustain nonstop flower production from spring into autumn.
Watering
Moderate watering, letting the top inch of compost dry out between waterings. Never allow roots to sit in standing saucer water.
Conditions vary with pot, season and location. Always check the mix and your plant's response.
How to identify it
Cascading semi-succulent trailing plant with fleshy, peltate ivy-shaped leaves and profuse rounded flower heads in shades of red, pink, and lilac.
Environment and placement
Warm, sunny, well-ventilated outdoor balconies and window boxes. Overwinter in a frost-free, bright space in cold climates.
Your living Ivy geranium in your pocket
In the Grovia mobile app, every species comes with an interactive 3D digital twin that thrives as you care for it. Track waterings, get smart light alerts, and watch your plant grow in your pocket garden.
Potting mix and feeding
Keep drainage open and observe how long this particular pot takes to dry.
There is no universal feeding dose: fertilise only during healthy growth, following the label and a confirmed identification.
Problems to check
Geranium bronze butterfly caterpillars boring into stems; yellowing foliage and blackleg stem rot from waterlogging.
Specialized diagnostic guide
How to assess overwatering
Cats and dogs
ASPCA lists this species as toxic to cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it; contact a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.
ASPCACommon question
How do I keep my ivy geranium blooming heavily all summer?
Position in full sun, feed fortnightly with a high-potassium flowering fertilizer, and snap off spent flower stalks at the base.
Botanical source
Related species
🐾 Pet safe
