Carolina geranium is a native herb found in central and eastern North America and all areas of NC in the cranesbill family (Geraniaceae). The genus name Geranium is derived from geranos , the Greek word for “crane.” It is a multi-branched and sprawling pubescent annual, usually growing no taller than 1 ft. Carolina cranesbill prefers full sun to part shade in poorer soil that is gravelly, sandy, or contains hardpan clay. This reduces competition from other plants. This plant is sold commercially for home use but can become weedy due to reseeding. The white to pink flowers occur in tight clusters from spring into summer and the seed capsule has the usual beak giving it the common name of cranesbill. For optimal results, use in naturalized areas. Bees and other pollinators visit the flowers and birds will eat the seeds. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite
Leaf shape
Palmasect
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are palmately five-parted, these divisions being cleft or lobed again. The leaves are up to 3 inches wide and long. They can be alternate or opposite on the stem. Shape can be nearly round to kidney-shaped. Leaves can turn reddish with age, especially at the margins and are covered in fine hairs
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Five-petaled, pale pink or white flowers occur singly or in tight terminal clusters with very short petioles. March-July. The petals are notched, have darker venation and the 5 sepals can be as long as the petals. Flowers are about 1/3 inch across.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Schizocarp
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Upright capsule with persistent sepals at the base and a slender beak in the center. The capsule splits to throw seeds away from the plant
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Round green stems mature to reddish brown with white hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Distribution
AL , AR , AZ , CA , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY Canada: AB , BC , ON , SK
Wildlife value
Attracts pollinators and birds eat the seeds
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Schizocarp
Edibility
Leaves are edible but bitter
Uses (ethnobotany)
Used in herbal medicine
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Meadow; Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Drought Tolerant Garden; Native Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#winter annual weed #cool season weed #stormwater demo garden orange co #pollinator garden #pollinator plant #naturalized area #NC native #NC Native Pollinator Plant #aggressive #weedy #HS304 #hortcontest
Problems & Resistance
Disease problems
Southern Bacterial Wilt on Herbaceous Ornamental Plants