Houseplants geranium and begonia reduce. Pelargonium and geranium: difference, home care, types and reviews

Have you ever wondered which plant in your home pleases you with beautiful blooms - geranium or pelargonium? What is the difference between these plants, and does it exist? Many gardeners will probably be surprised that the beautiful flower on their windowsill is not a geranium.

From the history of plants

In the middle of the 17th century, botanist Johannes Burman (Holland) argued that pelargonium and geranium, the difference between which is obvious, are not related plants. He wanted to separate them into different genera. Nevertheless, Carl Linnaeus, a world-famous naturalist, had by that time compiled his own classification, where he united these plants into a single group. At that time, bright bushes of flowering pelargonium were actively used in landscaping gardens. Flower growers immediately assigned it the name - geranium.

What are the similarities between pelargonium and geranium?

Both plants are part of the same family - geraniums. This fact is considered to be the main similarity. The family includes 5 genera and 800 plant species. The most numerous is geranium, the most famous and popular is pelargonium.

In fact, pelargonium and geranium are very similar in appearance. The difference at first glance is obvious only to a specialist. K. Linnaeus classified them into one family because of the similarity of the fruit capsule. After fertilization, the pistil stretches out and begins to resemble a crane's beak. Translated from Greek, pelargos means “stork”, and geranium means “crane”. Pelargonium and geranium are very similar in their erect stems and alternately growing leaves. In both plants they are covered with small hairs. Most geraniums have a special aroma. These are quite tenacious plants, unpretentious in care, loving the sun and easy to reproduce. As you can see, there are really many similarities between these beautiful bushes. Then the question arises: "What is the difference between geranium and pelargonium?" Even experienced flower growers are interested in it.

Pelargonium and geranium: the difference

These plants cannot be crossed with each other - they simply will not produce seeds. This is due to different genetic characteristics. Pelargonium is a native of the southern regions, and geranium is native to the Northern Hemisphere. That is why geranium is able to bloom even at a temperature of +12 degrees, and the southern beauty pelargonium needs only greenhouse or room conditions for wintering.

Pelargonium is most often grown in apartments, it decorates summer verandas and flower beds, and feels quite comfortable on balconies, but in winter these flowers are put away in a warm room. Geranium grows and develops well in gardens, and does not need shelter for the winter.

In our country, meadow and forest geraniums are found everywhere, with the exception of the Far Eastern and northern regions, where climatic conditions are too harsh for them.

How to distinguish geranium from pelargonium?

Geranium has flowers consisting of 5 or 8 petals. They are usually solitary, only occasionally collected in inflorescences. differs in the corolla of the flower. It has an irregular shape - the two upper petals are slightly larger, the three lower petals are smaller. Pelargonium flowers form large inflorescences. Geranium can be painted in a variety of colors (except scarlet). Pelargonium never has blue shades.

Geranium is a garden plant. Summer residents love him very much. Particularly popular are varieties such as “magnificent”, “Georgian”, “Oxford”. Pelargonium blooms at home throughout the year. In summer it can be taken out to the balcony or into the garden, but with the onset of cold weather you should bring the plant into the house.

Pelargonium and geranium: difference, care

All plants from the geranium family do not require special agricultural technology. Most species prefer fertile, loose soil; pelargonium can grow in acidic or neutral soil. And in this respect, pelargonium and geranium are similar. The only difference is that rocky species develop well on light sandy soil, while meadow species feel comfortable on clayey, heavy soil.

Most plants from the geranium family love good light, but direct sunlight is contraindicated for them. Both pelargonium and geranium feel much better in partial shade. The difference (care for them is almost the same) between them is not too big, except for the fact that one plant is a garden plant, and the second is a home plant. This explains certain features of caring for these two beauties.

Geranium propagates by seeds and vegetatively. After purchasing a dryish but living root from a gardening supermarket, it should be moistened and kept for a couple of days at a temperature of +2 degrees before planting in open ground. With the arrival of warm spring days, when the soil warms up, the plant can be planted.

If you want to divide a bush that has already taken root on your site, then do it in the spring, when the flower wakes up after winter sleep. There is no need to cover geraniums for the winter; most varieties do not even need to cut off the foliage.

Pelargonium: care features

How to grow pelargonium at home? This question interests novice flower growers. This flower is famous for its delicate, pleasant aroma. It is produced by the essential oil contained in the leaves and stem of the plant. If you decide to grow pelargonium, then you need to know that the following conditions are necessary for its growth and development:

• proper regular watering;
• good lighting;
• air temperature not lower than +12 degrees;
• pruning

Pelargonium loves warm and bright window sills. It is quite comfortable for her, but in winter the flower tolerates coolness better (permissible mode is +8 ... +10 o C). When there is insufficient lighting, pelargonium stops blooming or produces small, sparse and not so bright flowers.

At home, the flower should be protected from direct sunlight. Pelargonium needs space, so make sure that other green pets do not disturb it.

The flower should be watered only when the top layer of soil dries out. Excess moisture leads to rotting of the roots, which the plant will immediately inform you about, showing weakened, flaccid leaves. In winter, watering is reduced. Pelargonium tolerates lack of moisture quite easily.

The soil should be nutritious, containing garden soil, sand and peat. A large layer of drainage should be placed at the bottom of the pot; occasionally the soil should be loosened - this will ensure access of oxygen to the roots of the plant. It is important to choose the right pot size. It depends on the volume of the root system. Small containers are more suitable for geraniums.

We hope that after reading our article, you will understand which flower grows on your windowsill - pelargonium or home geranium. Caring for these plants is easy, and their external attractiveness is finding more and more admirers among flower growers.

Back in the 17th century, the Dutch scientist Johannes Burman hypothesized that geranium and pelargonium are not the same plants, despite the fact that their appearance resembles each other. Their main similarity is that they come from the same family - geraniums. Their family includes 5 plant genera and more than 800 species. The most numerous, famous and popular is pelargonium.

In fact, geranium and pelargonium are very similar in appearance and, at first glance, only a specialist can see the difference between them. According to the world-famous naturalist Carl Linnaeus, these plants can be classified into one family due to the similarity of the fruit capsule. After the pistil has been fertilized, it begins to stretch out and thus resemble the beak of a crane.

Translated from Greek, “pelargos” means “stork”, and “geranium” translates as “crane”.

Another similar feature of geranium and pelargonium is their alternately growing flowers, as well as erect stems that are covered with small hairs. It is also worth noting that the flowers of the geranium family have a rather unusual and special aroma. And most importantly, most representatives of these plants do not require special care, are quite tenacious and reproduce easily.

Geranium or pelargonium? What's the difference?

1. The first thing to take into account is that these two plants cannot be crossed as they are genetically different. Based on this, they will not be able to produce seeds.
2. If we turn to their origin, then geranium is a native of the Northern regions, this means that it tolerates frost and any weather conditions well. Meanwhile, pelargonium is native to the southern regions. This is confirmed by the fact that it requires warm weather conditions, and in the winter period of the year it must be moved to a greenhouse or house, since otherwise it will not be able to withstand the period of frosts and cold snaps.
3. Based on the above, pelargonium is usually grown on balconies or in greenhouses, and is also used as a decoration for the summer veranda or flower beds, and is transferred to a warm room for the wintering period. As for geranium, it can be safely grown in the garden or in any open space, where it develops well and does not require shelter for the winter.

How to distinguish geranium from pelargonium?

In fact, there are a number of characteristics in which geranium differs from pelargonium.

For example:

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1. Geraniums have flowers, each of which has from 5 to 8 petals. Meanwhile, pelargonium has a whole corolla of flowers, each of which has a special shape - the first two or three leaves are larger, and the lower ones, on the contrary, are smaller.
2. The color range of geraniums is unlimited; flowers can be painted in any color, with the exception of scarlet. Pelargonium can also be painted in any color with the exception of blue and light blue shades.
3. And the most important difference is their habitat. Geranium is considered one of the most favorite plants of summer residents and can be grown in a garden or alley. And most importantly, it does not require any special care. As for pelargonium, this plant is considered a domestic plant, since it needs warmth and does not tolerate frost. In spring and summer, it can be taken out into the garden or kept on the balcony, but with the onset of cold weather it is necessary to provide warm conditions.

Differences and features in care

Every gardener or just an amateur should know all the rules and features of caring for each of the types of plants available. As it has already turned out, plants from the geranium family do not require special and specific care. Moreover, most of their species do not even need to cut off the leaves. In order for flowers to grow and develop well, it is necessary to provide them with timely watering and, immediately before planting, prepare loose soil that can be fertilized with sand or clay.

Geraniums and pelargonium equally love good lighting, but at the same time they must be protected from direct sunlight; it is better to grow them in partial shade. But, nevertheless, geranium is more resistant during high temperatures, and pelargonium requires more frequent watering and spraying with water.

It is known that geranium reproduces vegetatively and using seeds. Also, after purchasing a dry root of this type of plant from a gardening store, it must be moistened and kept for several days at room temperature. You can start planting in the spring, after the ground has warmed up.

Pelargonium can also be planted in the same way. Since this is a house plant, this can be done at any time of the year at home, but despite this, the most preferable time for planting is still spring and the first month of summer, when the temperature remains not very hot.

Pelargonium care features

Pelargonium is a houseplant and requires more delicate care than geranium. It is known that this flower is famous for its delicate and pleasant aroma and delicate color shades. Therefore, in order to grow this flower yourself, you must follow the following rules and take into account features, for example, such as:

• Carry out timely and regular watering and spraying during hot periods.
• Provide good lighting, but at the same time protect from direct sunlight.
• Make sure that the plant is kept at a temperature not lower than 15, otherwise you need to bring it indoors to a warmer room.
• Regularly trim leaves and cut off dried flowers.
• Both in summer and winter, pelargonium needs to be provided with a favorable and spacious habitat with sufficient light and temperature conditions. Otherwise, it will begin to fade and give birth to very small flowers, the flowering of which will also last a short time.
• You constantly need to monitor the condition of the soil, which needs to be fed with nutrients such as peat, clay or sand, or purchased specially designed minerals from a specialized store. You also need to control the level of moisture, the soil should not dry out, but at the same time it should not be overwatered, as this can lead to rotting of the roots.
• In order to ensure the supply of oxygen to the roots of pelargonium, it is necessary to loosen the soil at least once a month, and drainage stones can also be placed at the bottom of the pot.
• Moreover, the size of the pot itself should be suitable for the size of the plant. If it is actively growing and developing, then soon you need to be prepared for the fact that it will need to be transplanted into a more spacious pot. It all depends on the root system, but, as a rule, the geranium family does not require very large pots; medium-sized ones are quite suitable.

Popular types of decorative pelargonium

Pelargoniums zonal

A distinctive feature of this species is the stripes on the flower that run vertically and also divide the leaf blade into different parts and a color scheme that can consist of white, pink and red flowers. The flowers differ in their shape as double, cactus, semi-double and simple.

Pelargonium ivy-leaved

The peculiarity of this species is that the leaves of ivy-leaved pelargonium are dense, dark green in color with a glossy sheen. Flowers of this species come in a variety of colors and shades.

Pelargonium fragrant

The main feature of this plant is its pleasant and delicate aroma. Various varieties of this pelargonium have been bred with aromas of lemon, cinnamon, rose, orange and nutmeg. The color of the flowers can also be very diverse, from the lightest shades to the darkest, you can even find purple colors.

Pelargonium with large leaves or “Royal”

This variety of pelargonium is very beautiful and attractive to look at. It’s not for nothing that it received its second name “royal”, as it requires more delicate care. The flowers themselves are quite large compared to other species of plants in the geranium family. Basically, they are all corrugated and have darker shades, such as burgundy, red or purple. Also, their flowering period is longer than others and the flowers themselves emit a pleasant aroma.

Helpful Tips:

• Plants with light flowers need plenty of light.
• Organic substances should not be used as fertilizer or top dressing. It is better to fertilize the soil with peat, sand or clay.
• With the onset of spring and warmth, watering must be increased, but also ensure that the soil is not too wet. You need to water as needed and at the first obvious signs of dry soil.

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1. General information.

Family Begoniaceae. Homeland - tropical America and Asia.
A genus of perennial plants of the Begoniaceae family with leaves of various shapes. Begonias do not require frequent transplanting and fertilizing. In summer it is worth protecting them from the bright sun. In summer it should be watered abundantly, in winter moderately. There are deciduous, bush and tuberous begonias.
Deciduous begonias are herbaceous plants with beautifully colored leaves (from silver-white to red and almost black), which do not fall off in winter if well cared for (for example, rex begonia). They do not tolerate direct sunlight and require shading in summer. Water abundantly in summer, moderately in winter. In winter, they must be kept at a temperature not lower than 12 °C.
Evergreen bush begonias are shrub and semi-shrub plants that grow well in pots on windows facing southwest and southeast; keep at a temperature not lower than 15°C (preferably up to 22°C). They have beautiful flowers and painted leaves.
Tuberous begonias are hybrid forms derived from several species of South American begonias. The flowers are large, simple, double and semi-double, white, pink, red or yellow. Tuberous begonias can be grown both indoors and in the ground. The stem and leaves die off in the fall, leaving tubers. In winter, the tubers are stored in a dry, dark and cool place at a temperature of 3° to 5°C and left without watering until February. In February, the tubers are replanted, placed in a bright, warm place (without direct sunlight) and begin to be watered abundantly.
When there is excess moisture in the soil, begonia leaves turn yellow and rot, and the buds fall off. With a lack of light, the leaves turn yellow, the stems are thin and poorly leafy. If the plant is hot, the leaves begin to dry out and curl. If the air humidity is insufficient, which is reflected in the falling of the buds and the drying out of the tips of the leaves, the pot should be placed in damp peat, containers with water should be placed or the air should be sprayed around the plant. Begonias themselves, especially those with pubescent leaves, should not be sprayed. If brown spots appear on the leaves, which then become covered with a gray coating (gray rot) or a white powdery coating (powdery mildew), it is necessary to cut off the damaged leaves, isolate the diseased plant and spray it with a fungicide, increase the temperature, avoid shade and high humidity, good ventilate the room.
Begonias are propagated by stem and leaf cuttings, as well as seeds. The best time for reproduction is spring. Seeds are sown in February-March. Begonia seeds are very small; after sowing, they are not covered with soil. The crops are placed on the windowsill and covered with glass, watered from a spray bottle or from a saucer, kept at a temperature of 20°-25°C. Seedlings are plucked 2 times (when the third leaf appears and after 1.5-2 months), transplanted more sparsely into boxes and then into small pots.
Soil: leaf, turf, humus soil and sand (2:1:1:1/3). Can be grown hydroponically.

Experienced advice:

Depending on the nature of the ground part of the plant, three groups of begonias are distinguished. In leafy, or decorative-leaved, plants, a thickened rhizome is usually used for propagation. In tuberous, or ornamental flowering, tubers are used. The third group includes bushy begonias, in which cuttings are usually used for propagation, for example, everflowering begonia.
If the appearance of begonias is varied, then the care for all types is approximately the same. All of them cannot tolerate waterlogged soil and direct sunlight. They should be grown indoors, heated in winter.
You shouldn’t expect begonia to become a member of the family, for example, like chlorophytum, since under normal indoor conditions they live for a year or two. Plants require high air humidity, but the leaves cannot be sprayed. You can save the situation if you place a group of several plants placed on a tray with pebbles, which are moistened as needed, but so that water does not get into the pot. It is recommended to place pots with begonias in a pot with moist peat. But even here it is important not to forget about the light. Begonias like a well-lit place, but not direct sun.
The greenhouse is another matter. Here you can create conditions for them that are close to natural. For example, all forms of royal begonia come from India, and this is the tropics, warm and humid air, that is, plants absorb moisture from the air through special villi and depressions on the leaves, but such plants practically do not need watering.
Decorative leaf begonias can be propagated by cuttings and division during transplantation. Replanting is necessary every year, since the leaves turn pale in a cramped pot. Leaf cuttings root easily if several requirements are met: avoid shade, low temperature and high humidity with poor ventilation; for rooting, take an adult leaf taken from the base of the plant, which is cut strictly across with a razor blade; the petiole of the leaf should be long enough to support the leaf "standing up", and placed in the ground so that the lower surface of the leaf faces the wall of the pot, but the base of the leaf plate should not touch the soil; a recess in the pot can be made with a pencil, but always with an inclination of about 45 degrees; the petiole is placed in soil, which is pressed down around the base of the petiole;
carefully water it so that the entire earthen ball is moistened - the water should pour into the pan, which must be poured out.
Begonia can also be rooted using part of a leaf. To do this, a triangle with a base of 2.5-4 cm is cut out of the tissue of a healthy adult leaf. The leaves are placed on a wooden stick, which will serve as a support, and the narrow part is also placed in the soil at an angle of 45 degrees, at ¼ of the height. The stick support rests against the side of the pot. Good luck!

Practical tips:

I'll tell you how we grow begonias.
We mainly buy American seeds of the Nonstop variety - 1000 pcs. These are tuberous begonias. The similarity is approximately 80%. We sow together with petunias in February. True, they sit tiny in the substrate for a very long time, but then they suddenly gain growth. With good care, you can already count on flowering at the end of May. Very uneven growth. The main masa blooms in June.
They grow better in partial shade and are afraid of overwatering. They reproduce by cuttings, but very poorly. Best results in pure perlite, but still very careful watering. We select the best specimens and take out the tubers in the fall for winter rest. In February we plant them in pots.
Of course, this whole procedure takes place in a greenhouse.
I also had good luck propagating begonia by dividing the bush. We select bushy specimens, add some substrate so that the side branches take root, and then plant them.

An unpretentious plant, indoor begonia, is especially beautiful and famous. Few people can be indifferent to this flower.

The Begonieceae family includes more than 800 plant species native to Southeast Asia, Brazil, Africa and the island of Madagascar. In nature, the size of a begonia plant varies from 5 cm to 3 meters.

The many forms and varieties of this flower are striking in their diversity. Flower growers know that this flower is known not only for its variety of varieties and species, but also for its growing conditions. Begonia is grown both outdoors and at home. Indoors, as a rule, a hybrid type of indoor begonia is planted.

Types of indoor begonia are:

decorative flowering, attracting the eye with the irresistible beauty of flowers; decorative deciduous, having a varied shape and color of leaves.

Popular types of flowers for indoor decorative-blooming begonias

Bushy begonias:

Coral begonia is a large plant with decorative leaves 10-15 cm long, having white spots and bright pink flowers; indoor bright red begonia is a rather large plant with shiny, smooth, ovoid leaves. Inflorescences of juicy red flowers have the shape of a panicle. Indoor ever-blooming begonia is a low plant with round light green leaves, 5-6 cm long. Blooming almost all year round, the flowers are white, red and pink.

Tuberous begonias:

Begonia Elatior is a tall plant, bush-shaped up to 35 cm high, with decorative jagged green leaves and flowers of various colors reaching 4-5 cm in diameter. It blooms very luxuriantly and for a long time. Begonia Lorrain - plant height reaches 50 cm. Exotic round, dark green leaves, up to 8 cm long. Flowers are pink, red and white.

Popular types of indoor decorative foliage begonia plants

royal begonia - has an unusually decorative coloring of leaves smoothly transitioning from red to dark brown. The length of the leaves reaches 30 cm. One of the most popular decorative deciduous begonias; tiger begonia - up to 25 cm high, bush-like. The leaves are quite small, dark green, with spots of a light shade.

How to care for indoor begonia?

Caring for indoor begonia is not difficult. This plant is not a capricious plant, but still it also needs some care.

Begonia is a light-loving plant, but direct exposure to sunlight is contraindicated for it, as it leads to leaf burn.

The begonia should be placed close to the window, and if this is not possible, then provide it with shading.

The maximum comfortable temperature for begonia in summer should not exceed 22-25o C, and in winter – 15-18o C.

Watering is of great importance for indoor begonias. This plant is not suitable for either dry soil or too wet soil. For example, in spring and summer, home begonia needs to be watered as often as possible, but without flooding it to prevent water stagnation. Determining the watering time is not difficult. It occurs when the soil dries to a depth of 1-2 cm. In addition, watering should be done with settled water.

Air humidity is of no small importance for home begonias. Since this plant is native to the tropics and subtropics, it loves high humidity. While other plants can be provided with such a climate by spraying, this is contraindicated for begonias.

If begonia is sprayed, its leaves will become stained. But there is a way out. It is enough to place the flower pot on moss, damp peat, or place it in a shallow container with water.

Don't forget about feeding the plants. Begonia needs feeding 1-2 times a month. Fertilizers containing nitrogen are applied only to decorative deciduous species, since nitrogen promotes leaf growth but slows down flowering. But for decorative flowering plants, fertilizers containing phosphorus are suitable.

It should be added that indoor begonia prefers fresh air, so the room in which it grows is periodically ventilated. It should not be forgotten that begonia is afraid of drafts, which can lead to its death.

You can’t take your eyes off the blooming begonia. She thanks him for taking care of her. Indoor begonia blooms for a long time, but not forever. Time passes, the flowers wither and fall off, the leaves fade and dry. It's time for peace and sleep. Now the begonia should be watered less frequently, and the air temperature should be cooler - up to 14-16o C. We cut off all the dried parts of the plant and prepare for replanting.

How to properly replant indoor begonia?

You can prepare the soil for begonia yourself. This plant prefers a light substrate. It is prepared from a mixture of leaf and turf soil, rotted humus, sand and peat. It is important to pay attention to the fact that the leaf soil should be slightly more than half the total volume of the pot.

Indoor begonia does not require frequent replanting, but if the roots are already crowded, then replanting is necessary. Usually, begonia transplantation begins in March.

Carefully remove the flower from the pot, clean the roots from the old soil and place them for a while in a solution of potassium permanganate. Potassium permanganate helps protect roots from fungal diseases, to which indoor begonia is predisposed. Next, cut off all damaged roots and place them in a new container with soil.

When replanting a plant, do not fill the pot to the top. Soil is added later as the roots grow. After transplantation, indoor begonia requires increased attention and care. In the first month, you need to water more frequently and carefully protect from direct sunlight.

Diseases and pests of indoor begonia

The indoor begonia plant is not resistant to fungal diseases. If you notice that the plant is starting to get sick, you should remove the affected areas. Begonia can also be affected by pests. Its enemies are aphids and spider mites. At an early stage of the disease, it is recommended to rinse the plant in a soapy solution. And for serious treatment, it will be enough to treat it with a fungicidal preparation, in the manner indicated in the instructions for use.

It pleases many housewives because it is easy to grow, but at the same time it blooms beautifully. The popularity of home geranium has led to the fact that there are few apartments where this plant would not be found.

The only problem with this plant is the fact that it is not a geranium at all. It has a completely different name, it is a completely different species. And what really is a geranium usually grows on the street, in the wild, decorating someone’s gardens and front gardens.

At one time, botanists argued a lot about whether these plants were related. Pelargonium was very popular among gardeners, but for some reason they called it geranium. Clarity on this issue appeared thanks to the famous scientist Carl Linnaeus, creator of the first classification of the plant world. He combined these flowers into one group and he turned out to be right. These two plants are classified as one group by modern science - the geranium family.

Thus, small blue flowers that grow on their own and that anyone can pick in a summer meadow, and lush red flowers in pots that housewives carefully care for, turn out to be relatives. And the wild fellow gave its name to the luxurious pelargonium. Although this is scientifically incorrect, it does not diminish the beauty of flowers. And fake geraniums still travel along the window sills of city apartments and private houses, delighting their owners with beautiful flowering and low maintenance requirements.

Common features of geranium and pelargonium

Geranium family includes 5 genera and 800 species. Geranium is the most common genus, growing in a wide variety of climates - in the temperate zone, tropics, and on mountain slopes. There are up to four hundred species of this plant. Their possible colors:

1. Lilac,
2. Red;
3. Blue;
4. Pink;
5. Pale;
6. Brown.

Breeders created a number of hybrids, which are successfully grown in gardens and parks.

Pelargonium also boasts its colors:

1. Red;
2. White;
3. Pink;
4. Two-color;
5. Lilac.

Carl Linnaeus once drew attention to the similarity of the pistils of these flowers after fertilization. They stretch out and become similar to a crane's or stork's beak. It is no coincidence that geranium is popularly called cranebird, and in Greek “pelargos” means stork.

The leaves and stems of these flowers are also very similar. The stems usually grow very straight. The leaves emerge from the petiole alternately and, as a rule; covered with small hairs. Many also note the pleasant aroma emanating from geranium and pelargonium. Both of these plants love sunny places and grow well even by inexperienced gardeners.

But there is a difference between the species, and not only external.

How are they different from each other?

The first difference that catches the eye of any average person is luxurious royal type of pelargonium, confidently and luxuriantly blooming in a pot. If geranium is more reminiscent of wildflowers growing freely in a meadow, then pelargonium clearly requires more careful attention.

The main difference between pelargonium and geranium is its cold tolerance. It grows in South America, so it is unable to survive in open ground in cold countries. Sometimes in the summer it is planted in street flower beds, but in order for the plant to overwinter, it must be moved to a warm place. Geranium is not so whimsical.

The flowers of these two species are also different. Geranium is remarkable because its flower is perfectly symmetrical in shape, it has 5 or 8 petals. Pelargonium flowers are symmetrical along only one axis. The two upper petals are large, and the three lower petals are smaller. Unlike geraniums, it never produces blue flowers. Pelargonium flowers are collected in lush inflorescences. In geraniums they usually grow alone.

Thus, we can list the main differences between these plants:

1. Cold resistance;
2. Shape of flowers;
3. Various uses in gardening;
4. Various care;
5. Different appearance.

Nature, as if to sum up this difference, has made it so that crossing geranium and pelargonium is impossible.

Speaking about pelargonium and geranium, about their difference, it should be said that they have occupied their niche in decorating human life. The first grows in dachas, gardens and parks, in the wild. The second one proudly flaunts in pots, adding greenery and making the interior of a simple apartment more interesting.

How to care for pelargonium

Despite the fact that pelargonium is a heat-loving plant, it is not difficult to care for. Many years of experience have shown that simple rules should be followed so that it grows and blooms all year round at home:

1. Regular watering is very important;
2. The plant needs light;
3. It is necessary to prune the plant;
4. The temperature in the room should not fall below 12 degrees Celsius.

Pelargonium will be very cozy on the windowsill, not only due to the availability of sunlight, but also because in winter it still needs a little coolness.

Lack of lighting leads to the fact that pelargonium stops blooming or flowers are greatly reduced in size. However, direct sunlight should be avoided on the plants. It should be watered when the top layer of soil has dried out to prevent rotting of the roots. The fact that something is wrong with the roots can be understood by the state of the leaves, which for some reason have become lethargic and lifeless.

A small pot will do; the soil should be nutritious. Sometimes the soil needs to be loosened so that the plant receives the necessary oxygen. There should be a wide layer of drainage at the bottom. There is no need to water the plant in winter; it is distinguished by the fact that it tolerates a lack of moisture well.

For pelargonium to be comfortable, it requires a lot of space. Pots with neighboring green pets should not interfere with its lush flowering.

Geranium is very undemanding, for which gardeners value it. She doesn’t need fertilizing; the proximity of weeds won’t bother her in any way. It should be watered only if the summer turned out to be too dry.

If you still want to decorate your front garden with this flower, then it is better to make sure that the soil is cleared of unwanted neighbors, and a little fertilizing, drainage and a minimum of attention will lead to the fact that the geranium will delight the resident of the country house with good flowering.

Geraniums have many varieties that are successfully used in gardening. Eat brown species, ash geraniums, red. All of them reproduce well both vegetatively and by seeds. However, many varieties are best purchased as seedlings. Collecting seeds yourself is not so easy. It is better to replant the plant itself periodically.

If you remove the inflorescences in time, the plant will bloom longer. It is better to remove the wilted parts of the geranium.

Geranium loves the sun very much, so it should be planted where it will have access to the sun's rays. It grows well if the spring is warm and the summer is hot. Wherein it does not need to be covered in winter, because it tolerates winter well.

Beauty is more important than the name

The story of assigning another name to pelargonium is quite funny and will be a revelation for many gardeners. However, it is unlikely that everyone will unanimously stop calling a bright red flower in a pot on the windowsill a geranium. And it won’t spoil it in any way.

Geranium and pelargonium have found their application in various areas of floriculture. One lives on the lawns of private houses, the other in a city apartment. The combination of beauty and unpretentiousness will always make them popular among flower lovers.