pelargonium

noun

pel·​ar·​go·​ni·​um ˌpe-lär-ˈgō-nē-əm How to pronounce pelargonium (audio)
-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 geranium

Examples of pelargonium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 Just as with pelargonium, snip off a three inch piece at a node, place in water for 2-3 weeks, and presto! Molly Marquand, Good Housekeeping, 14 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pelargos stork (akin to Greek pelios livid, polios gray) + New Latin -nium (as in Geranium) — more at fallow

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pelargonium was in 1813

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pelargonium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelargonium. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pelargonium

noun
pel·​ar·​go·​ni·​um ˌpe-lär-ˈgō-nē-əm How to pronounce pelargonium (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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