Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) is a popular ornamental plant known for its elegant trailing growth and vibrant blossoms, often used in hanging baskets and containers. A common question for gardeners is whether this plant behaves as an annual or a perennial, which is key for successful cultivation.
Understanding Annuals and Perennials
Plants are categorized by their life cycles. An annual plant completes its entire life cycle, from germination to seed production, within a single growing season before dying. These plants are replanted each year.
Perennial plants live for more than two years, often returning year after year from their established root systems. Many herbaceous perennials die back in colder months but regrow from their roots when conditions improve.
Ivy Geranium: Its Life Cycle Explained
Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) is a tender perennial, meaning it can live for multiple years. However, its behavior in a garden depends on the local climate, especially winter temperatures.
In warmer regions (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9-11), Ivy Geranium thrives as a perennial, enduring mild winters and returning each spring. In colder zones where temperatures drop below freezing, it will not survive winter outdoors. Here, it is cultivated as an annual, completing its life cycle in one season and perishing with the first hard frost.
Growing Ivy Geranium in Various Climates
Effective management of Ivy Geranium depends on its winter survival in your location.
In warmer climates (USDA Zones 9-11), where it acts as a perennial, provide full sun, with some afternoon shade in very hot areas. Water consistently to maintain moist, well-draining soil, avoiding waterlogging. Regular pruning, including deadheading and pinching back stems, promotes bushier growth and more blooms.
In colder zones, Ivy Geranium is typically treated as an annual and removed after the first hard frost. New plants are purchased and planted each spring after frost danger passes, providing continuous seasonal color.
Alternatively, in colder zones, Ivy Geranium can be overwintered indoors. Before the first frost, bring plants inside after checking for pests. Keep them as houseplants in a bright, cool location (50-60°F or 10-15°C) with reduced watering, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Another method is storing them dormant in a cool, dark, frost-free area like a basement, keeping roots barely moist. Cuttings taken in late summer also offer a space-saving way to propagate new plants.