Geranium Plant Species

Geraniums are cheery perennial plants with bright, showy flowers. Botanically known as Pelargoniums, they are grown as bedding plants and in containers and window boxes. Flower and leaf forms vary among geranium species.

Ivy-Leaved

• Known botanically as Pelargonium peltatum, ivy-leaved geranium species have trailing stems that reach 3 feet long and are covered in smooth, ivy-like leaves. Flower colors include red, pink and white.

Martha Washington

• Martha Washington (Pelargonium x domesticum) is a hybrid geranium species with large, showy flowers. It is generally grown indoors during the winter as a potted plant and it does poorly outdoors during hot months, according to Clemson University Cooperative Extension.

Scented

• Scented geranium species are grown for their aromatic leaves. Lemon-scented geranium (P. crispum) has stiff, lemon-scented leaves, while the soft foliage of apple geranium (P. odoratissima) has a sweet apple aroma. Other scented geraniums include peppermint geranium (P. tormentosum) with heart-shaped woolly leaves and a strong minty scent and the rose-scented geranium Pelargonium graveolens.

Zonal

• Also known as common geraniums, zonal species (Pelargonium x hortorum) have variegated, banded leaves in various colors, including silver, white and red. The showy foliage is often scalloped or frilly, and flower colors include burgundy, pink, salmon and white.