Small Geranium: A Delicate Ground Cover with European Charm
Meet the small geranium (Geranium pusillum), a petite member of the true geranium family that brings understated beauty to gardens across North America. While this charming little plant might not win any showstopper of the year awards, it has quietly made itself at home in landscapes from coast to coast, offering gardeners a low-maintenance option for filling in bare spots and adding delicate texture to garden beds.
What Exactly Is Small Geranium?
Small geranium is an annual to biennial forb—basically a non-woody plant that completes its life cycle in one to two years. Originally from Europe and western Asia, this diminutive beauty has established itself throughout much of North America, from Alaska down to Hawaii and across most of the continental United States and Canadian provinces.
As a non-native species, small geranium has naturalized in the wild without human assistance and tends to persist once established. You’ll find it growing in British Columbia, Alaska, Manitoba, Arkansas, California, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Colorado, Connecticut, Quebec, Delaware, Saskatchewan, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The Look and Feel of Small Geranium
Don’t expect towering drama from this modest plant. Small geranium stays true to its name, forming low-growing mats that rarely exceed 8-12 inches in height. Its deeply divided, palmate leaves create an intricate, lacy texture that adds visual interest even when the plant isn’t flowering. The small pink to purple flowers, while individually tiny, appear in clusters and provide a subtle splash of color from spring through summer.
Why Consider Small Geranium in Your Garden?
Small geranium shines in specific garden situations:
- Low-maintenance ground cover: Perfect for gardeners who want coverage without constant fussing
- Rock gardens: Its compact size and ability to grow in poor soils make it ideal for rocky areas
- Cottage garden charm: Adds to the informal, naturalized look many gardeners love
- Pollinator support: The small flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects
- Gap filler: Excellent for filling in bare spots between larger plants
Growing Conditions and Care
One of small geranium’s greatest assets is its adaptability. This undemanding plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, making it suitable for most North American climates. It prefers well-drained soil but isn’t particularly picky about soil quality—in fact, it often performs better in average to poor soils than in rich, fertile ground.
Small geranium tolerates both full sun and partial shade, though it tends to be more compact in sunnier locations. Once established, it’s quite drought-tolerant and requires minimal care.
Planting and Propagation Tips
As a self-seeding annual, small geranium often takes care of its own propagation. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in spring or fall, barely covering them with soil. The plant will typically self-seed readily, creating new plants for the following year.
Keep in mind that because it self-seeds so effectively, small geranium can spread beyond where you originally planted it. While this isn’t necessarily problematic, it’s something to consider in formal garden settings.
A Word About Native Alternatives
While small geranium is a lovely plant, gardeners interested in supporting local ecosystems might consider native geranium species instead. Depending on your region, options like wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), spotted geranium, or other native species can provide similar aesthetic appeal while offering greater benefits to local wildlife and maintaining ecological balance.
The Bottom Line
Small geranium offers an easy-going option for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance ground cover with delicate charm. While it’s not native to North America, it has proven adaptable and useful in many garden situations. Whether you choose to grow it or opt for native alternatives, the key is creating a garden that brings you joy while being mindful of the broader ecological picture.
Consider small geranium if you need a hardy, self-sufficient plant for challenging spots in your garden—just be prepared for it to make itself quite at home!
