pelargonium
noun
pel·ar·go·ni·um
ˌpe-lär-ˈgō-nē-əm 
-lər-
: any of a genus (Pelargonium) of southern African herbs of the geranium family with showy flowers of usually red, pink, or white distinguished by a spurred calyx and irregular corolla
called also geranium, storksbill
compare rose geraniumExamples of pelargonium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The warm water was infused with local herbs and plants such as rose, pelargonium, and rooibos.
—
Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
Unlike pelargoniums, hardy geraniums grow in partial shade.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
This year’s plant sale, held at a Willow Glen residence, will feature homegrown pelargoniums, vegetables and herbs, and also succulents and professional quality house plants.
—Lisa Thorn, Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2025
This gardening trend isn’t just about growing pelargoniums outdoors, however.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2023
Flower seeds to start: Rhodochitins, fibrous begonias, dahlias lobelia (don’t cover seeds), snapdragons (don’t cover seed and grow cool), carnations, verbena, pelargoniums, hollyhocks.
—Jeff Lowenfels | Alaska Gardening and Growing, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Mar. 2023
The sale includes Bakers Acres inventory of bromeliads, tillandsias and gasteria as well as pots, and board members will be selling vegetable starts, succulents, plumeria, pelargoniums and other varieties.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2023
Pelargonium A close cousin to the geranium, pelargonium is undoubtedly more elegant and just as easy to grow.
—Molly Marquand, Good Housekeeping, 14 Dec. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
Unlike pelargoniums, hardy geraniums grow in partial shade.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
This year’s plant sale, held at a Willow Glen residence, will feature homegrown pelargoniums, vegetables and herbs, and also succulents and professional quality house plants.
—Lisa Thorn, Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2025
This gardening trend isn’t just about growing pelargoniums outdoors, however.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2023
Flower seeds to start: Rhodochitins, fibrous begonias, dahlias lobelia (don’t cover seeds), snapdragons (don’t cover seed and grow cool), carnations, verbena, pelargoniums, hollyhocks.
—Jeff Lowenfels | Alaska Gardening and Growing, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Mar. 2023
The sale includes Bakers Acres inventory of bromeliads, tillandsias and gasteria as well as pots, and board members will be selling vegetable starts, succulents, plumeria, pelargoniums and other varieties.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2023
Pelargonium A close cousin to the geranium, pelargonium is undoubtedly more elegant and just as easy to grow.
—Molly Marquand, Good Housekeeping, 14 Dec. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Pelargonium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelargonium. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pelargonium
noun
pel·ar·go·ni·um
ˌpe-lär-ˈgō-nē-əm
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share