Pelargonium ×hortorum
Fish geranium, Fish Geranium
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · licence
Family: Geraniaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Pelargonium ×hortorum (Fish geranium) is a non-native California shrub in the Geraniaceae family, recognized by large succulent leaves with color bands and dense many-flowered inflorescences.
Fish geranium is a naturalized shrub found in southern California coastal areas and Channel Islands in disturbed sites at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces red to white flowers in dense clusters with 20 to 40 blooms, each petal 1 to 2.5 centimeters long. Growing with soft-woody branched stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it develops a spreading, multi-branched structure. Its large rounded leaves are 15 to 20 centimeters wide, deeply notched at the base, with dense hairs and often featuring a distinctive color band or variegated pattern. The leaves are slightly succulent with crenate edges, giving the plant a lush and ornamental appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are large succulent leaves with color bands and dense many-flowered inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed sites
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: unknown
Bloom period
Pelargonium ×hortorum blooms All year.
How to tell it apart
vs Geranium: Pelargonium is a shrub with asymmetrical flowers; Geranium is herbaceous with symmetrical flowers.; vs Malva: Pelargonium has asymmetrical flowers with 1-7 stamens; Malva has symmetrical flowers with many stamens fused in a column.; vs Impatiens: Pelargonium has no backward spur on flowers; Impatiens has a prominent curved spur.; vs Kalanchoe: Pelargonium has lobed leaves and spirally-coiled fruit beaks; Kalanchoe has succulent leaves and upright capsules.; vs Oxalis: Pelargonium has lobed leaves and asymmetrical flowers; Oxalis has clover-like compound leaves with symmetrical flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pelargonium ×hortorum native to California?
No. Pelargonium ×hortorum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Pelargonium ×hortorum bloom?
Pelargonium ×hortorum blooms All year.
What plant family does Pelargonium ×hortorum belong to?
Pelargonium ×hortorum is in the Geraniaceae family, genus Pelargonium.
What habitat does Pelargonium ×hortorum grow in?
Pelargonium ×hortorum grows in Disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.