Cold hardiness

Future

2050

2100

These values are location-based: this location's current hardiness is the baseline, and the 2050 value is a projected future climate for this same location.

Now

Zone 6b

USDA

Published baseline for this location from 1991-2020.

Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (1991-2020 climatology) via ArcGIS FeatureServer

Won't grow here

2050

Zone 7a

Plotwright

Projected zone for this same location in 2050 (2041-2070) using SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry).

Won't grow here

In plain terms: This location is in Zone 6b today. Its hardiness profile is cold winters, and coldest nights are typically around -3°F. By 2050, the projected hardiness zone is Zone 7a based on SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry). That is a +0.5-zone shift from Zone 6b to Zone 7a by 2050.

✕

Out of range today and still out of range in 2050.

Heat tolerance

Future

2050

2100

Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.

Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...

Where this plant fits

Suitable across 17 ecoregions — 11 climate-resilient through 2070 · 6 newly possible by 2070. Best matches first.

Atlantic coastal pine barrens

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California coastal sage and chaparral

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Central Pacific Northwest coastal forests

Eastern Australian temperate forests

New Zealand North Island temperate forests

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Northern Pacific Alaskan coastal forests

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What it needs

Conditions

Light

Full sun / Part shade

Water

Moderate water

Spacing

12"

Habit

Shrubby mounding tender perennial grown as a bedding or container annual

Care tips

•

Treat it as an annual or container plant in most of North America — it survives outdoors year-round only in USDA zones 10-11.

•

Plant in well-drained soil and avoid soggy conditions; poor drainage in humid climates causes stem and root rots.

•

Deadhead spent umbels and give full sun for the freest, longest bloom; overwinter indoors in a bright, cool window or take cuttings in fall.

Lifecycle

Planting

Plant out after the last frost in full sun to part shade in average to organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil (Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder). Where started from seed, sow indoors several weeks before the last frost.

Transplanting

Move hardened-off plants outdoors only after frost danger has passed; handle the brittle, succulent stems carefully.

Early growth

Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged and deadhead spent umbels to encourage continued bloom. In humid climates, poorly drained soil leads to stem and root rots (Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder).

Maturity

Plants flower freely all season at 1-3 feet tall and wide. Many gardeners grow them as annuals and repurchase each spring; to overwinter, bring containers indoors before frost to a bright, cool window with reduced watering, or store dormant in a cool, frost-free space (Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder).

Propagation

Propagate by stem cuttings, which root readily, or from seed; cuttings are the usual way to carry favored colors over winter.

Pollination

Self-fertile

Grown as an ornamental bedding plant rather than for fruit or seed; the showy umbels are insect-visited but most garden plants are propagated from cuttings, so pollination is not a gardening concern. NC State Extension notes the fragrant flowers and leaves attract butterflies.

For people

Not eaten by humans

An ornamental bedding and container plant grown for its flowers and aromatic foliage, not a food crop.

Native range

AHS heat range

6-12

Climate notes

•

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder lists Pelargonium x hortorum as a herbaceous perennial of garden origin for USDA zones 10 to 11, 1.00 to 3.00 feet tall and wide, in full sun to part shade with medium water; it is commonly grown as an annual in colder regions.

•

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder notes the plant prefers average to organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soils and that, in humid climates, poorly drained soils inevitably lead to stem and root rots. It lists tolerance of rabbits.

•

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (which lists Pelargonium x hortorum as a former name of Pelargonium x hybridum) describes a rounded mound 1 to 3 feet tall in full sun and cool, moist, well-drained soil with a low tolerance for drought.

In the designer

Growth over time

12-36" tall · 12-36" spread

Long-overwintered plants grow woodier and leggier; many gardeners restart from cuttings to keep them compact.

Design roles: Container · Border · Focal point

Seasonal interest

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Filled = the plant has seasonal interest · ▾ now = your current season

Zonal geranium

At a glance

Why it matters

Cold hardiness

Heat tolerance

Where this plant fits

What it needs

Lifecycle

Pollination

For people

Native range

Climate notes

In the designer

Seasonal interest

Sources & citations