Pelargonium sidoides, commonly known as African Geranium, is an evergreen perennial herb native to grasslands and rocky slopes in South Africa. It typically grows to a height of 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) with a similar spread. The plant features a rosette of heart-shaped leaves and produces striking dark red to nearly black flowers, with five petals, two of which may be fused, creating a unique appearance. The flowers are showy and can appear nearly year-round in its native climate or when grown indoors.

African Geranium is valued for its medicinal properties, particularly for treating respiratory infections, and its attractive, unusual flowers. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its excellence for garden use in the UK. It is suitable for container planting, rock gardens, and as a houseplant. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate light shade. It requires well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established, though it should be protected from frost. Overwatering and poor drainage can lead to root rot.CC BY-SA 4.0