Plant of the Month

Plant of the Month: August 2023

Vineleaf Pelargonium

Pelargonium lobatum (Burm. fil.) L'Hér.

= Geranium lobatum Burm. fil. 1759

GERANIACEÆ ; Geranium Family

In 2010, I bought a mail-order houseplant that is now flowering for only its second time. If it had been provided better condtions in its pot (larger than 3 inches deep), light level (much more), and fertilizing (less N and more PK), it would have bloomed more. It is a straggly plant of little appeal visually. And its pale flowers are relatively boring compared to most of its darker kin. Though edible, it is not notably productive. So, I may part with it. But first, it deserves at least its own write-up this month.

Its genus, Pelargonium, has 286 species, all Old World and nearly all native to tropical (few species) and subtropical S Africa; the vast majority live in the Cape Province of SW Africa. People the world over love growing these plants; 10,000+ cultivars have been named. They are mostly of bushy growth; some prim, miniature trees in shape; a few being annuals. Virtually all are injured by and most killed by freezing temperatures. More or less succulent, they need less water than most plants grown as summer annual bedding or potted plants.

Pelargonium offers as much or more diversely distinctive leaf scents as any genus. The way a child may play with multiple colored crayons, Pelargonium does with its unparalleled diversity of scents. These scented geraniums like warm, dry conditions and good drainage, as do most cacti. Excess moisture induces rot. They grow sideways usually, and with few exceptions need maximum sunlight to bloom freely.

Pelargonium lobatum is from the Western Cape province winter rainfall region, on sandy flats mostly. Its tuber sends up lush green growth in winter and flowers in late spring and early summer. lts leaves are very large (to 12 inches wide though mine at most 9 inches), simple to 5-lobed, bright green, and covered densely with soft velvety hairs, some glandular. The leaf stems can reach over 23 inches! Flowers are small, borne in umbell-like clusters of 6 to 15, and vary in color from dull yellow (mine) to almost black. They are scented at night only, and vary from cinnamon-scented to recalling the sweet fragrance of Peppermint geranium (Pelargonium tomentosum).

Pelargonium lobatum was introduced to Europe in 1698. The plant is propagated easily by tuber division, cuttings or seeds. Use a fast-draining rather than a peat soil mix, and clay rather than plastic pot. When it goes dormant, do not water it, or mould or death can result. Just let it rest, like a tulip after blooming. I prefer plants that grow 365 days a year in my home . . .

The tubers are edible (I have yet to sample them), as are the leaves: acid and pleasing despite being softly hairy.

A well-stocked nursery to buy mail-order pelargoniums, offering many dozens of different species, hybrids and cultivars, is Geraniaceae, in California
www.Geraniaceae.com

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