Black Pelargonium
Pelargonium sidoides
Also known as
Kalwerbossie, Rabassam (Afr.), Ikubalo, Iyeza lesikhali (Xhosa), Khoara-e-nyenyane (Southern Sotho), South African Geranium, Umckaloabo
Photo by kellydrewry (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
8a-11b
USDA zone
-12°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
50cm | Max | 50cm |
40cm | Min | 40cm |
1 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Black Pelargonium
Black Pelargonium Overview
The Pelargonium sidoides is an aromatic low growing grey-green ground cover with dark reddish-purple flowers on long stalks. Due to flowering profusely from spring to summer, it makes an excellent garden plant growing in various conditions and climates. Not only does it make an excellent ground cover, but also has ornamental use as well as medicinal applications. ZA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West.
Common problems with Black Pelargonium
Pests include whiteflies, spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, and caterpillars. Diseases include mildew, gray mold, black leg, flower break virus, Xanthomonas blight, and edema.
Black Pelargonium Companion Plants
Plant alongside grasses, Helichrysum and Scabbiosa, as well as other plants with similar water needs.
How to harvest Black Pelargonium
The roots are harvested in the wild. Harvesting methods currently used which involve entire removal of the plant and not filling up harvest holes to safeguard tuber remnants left in the soil. More sustainable harvesting methods are however sought.
How to propagate Black Pelargonium
Cuttings
Take basal cuttings in autumn, dip in a rooting hormone, placed in containers with coarse river sand which has been pre-watered with a fungicide and allow to root.
Seed
Sow seed from late winter to early spring.
Division
Special features of Black Pelargonium
Pot plant
Due to its small stature it is an excellent pot plant given sufficient drainage holes.
Attracts useful insects
Insects such as bees, butterflies and other insects.
Drought resistant
Relatively drought tolerant once well established, flowering however decreases.
Indoor plant
This plant is suitable for growing indoors.
Other uses of Black Pelargonium
Used medicinally, as houseplants and as tender summer bedding and container plants, which can be overwintered.
Medicinal
Root extract is traditionally used as cold and flu medicine. The plant benefits the treatment of the symptoms of the acute bronchitis, the common cold and acute rhinosinusitis.
Garden plant
It makes an excellent ground cover in the garden.
