Geranium (Pelargonium)
Pelargonium species (Geraniaceae)
Also called Many cultivars.
Cats and dogs
Toxic to cats and dogs
What makes it toxic: Geraniol, linalool.
Signs to watch for: Vomiting, anorexia, depression, dermatitis
Source: ASPCA entry "Geranium", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol
- Medium light 6+ mol
- Bright indirect 10+ mol Copes
- Direct sun 12+ mol Best
Pelargoniums need full sun; indoors give them full light in the sunniest window, with shade from scorching midday sun under glass. In too little light they get leggy and bloom poorly. Clemson names geranium among very-high-light plants that few homes can satisfy without a sunroom.
Direct sun: needs several hours a day.
On our scale it grows well from about 12 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 2.2 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Moderate. Water: Let the potting mix dry between waterings and water only sparingly in winter; plants are drought tolerant once established.
In insufficient light plants become leggy and flower poorly (NC State).
Pet-safe plants for similar light
- Burro's tail direct sun
- Echeveria (hens and chickens) direct sun
- Ponytail palm direct sun
- Venus flytrap direct sun
- Areca palm bright indirect light
- Basil direct sun
Sources
- Toxicity: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, "Geranium"
- Light and care: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, "Pelargonium x hybridum"
- Light and care: Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), "How to grow pelargoniums"
- Light and care: Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC, "Indoor Plants – Cleaning, Fertilizing, Containers & Light Requirements (HGIC 1450)"