Head outside with the Regal Pelargonium

This houseplant thrives both indoors and outdoors

Hello spring! The perfect opportunity to introduce you to a grande dame: the Regal Pelargonium, alias Pelargonium grandiflorum. This plant not only has two names, but also two homes, since this lavish bloomer does very well both indoors and outdoors.

Regal Pelargonium, sister of the 'ordinary' Geranium 

The Regal Pelargonium is the sister of the Geranium, and you can see the resemblance. She's not modest, and she’s keen to show you her flowers and colours. The Regal Pelargonium originally travelled from South Africa to Europe, where she likes to spend time outdoors. But be careful: this lady cannot tolerate night frost, so only put her outside when the weather is quite mild.

How to look after the Regal Pelargonium outdoors

Once your Regal Pelargonium is on show on your balcony or patio, she can provide colour deep into the autumn. A couple of hours sun per day will trigger lavish flowering. Water her regularly and remove the exhausted flowers - that will keep her happy. If you overwinter the Regal Pelargonium indoors in a cool room and give her a limited amount of water, she will last another year!