Americana Cherry Rose

Family: Geraniaceae Zonal Geranium

Velvety, rose-splashed blooms open in profusion, each petal carrying a luminous cherry center that deepens to a soft, blush-edged halo.

Americana Cherry Rose forms a tidy, mounding bedding plant with crisp, rounded foliage and a steady, garden-ready show from early summer through the long haul of warm weather. Ideal for beds, borders, and containers, it delivers nonstop color with a graceful, upright habit that looks as fresh as it feels.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Americana Cherry Rose

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Aug 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Even when grown like a bedding plant, Americana Cherry Rose reads on the tongue like a floral candy—rose-and-cherry aroma wrapped in a faint geranium leaf bite. Use it cold and sparingly: the petals give the best snap and perfume when they aren’t cooked into something heavy.

Best Uses

ice-cold petal garnish on citrusy desserts and drinks
steeped as a quick rose-geranium syrup for cocktails or yogurt
petals folded into short-batch sorbet or granita for perfume-forward color
tossed sparingly through fresh fruit salads to avoid bitterness

Flavor Profile

rose-scented cherry-leaning perfume velvety, delicate petal snap lightly sweet with a faint herbal geranium edge

Kitchen Pairings

lemon zest honey Greek yogurt champagne or sparkling wine berries

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Pelargonium × hortorum (Americana Cherry Rose), and how can I manage it?

A very common issue is botrytis gray mold (gray, fuzzy fungus on leaves and flowers), especially when plants stay damp and have poor airflow. Remove and discard affected flower heads and leaves, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and space plants so air moves through the canopy; if it keeps recurring, treat with a labeled fungicide for ornamental geraniums according to package directions.

How often should I water Pelargonium × hortorum during its main growing phase?

During active growth, water thoroughly when the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of the potting mix or soil feels dry, then let excess water drain so roots aren’t sitting in moisture. Aim for consistently moderate moisture—Pelargonium × hortorum tolerates slight drying better than chronically wet soil, which encourages rot and fungal spots.

How do I know when Americana Cherry Rose (Pelargonium × hortorum) is ready to harvest?

Pelargonium × hortorum is typically grown for flowering rather than edible harvest; it’s “ready” when you have open, fully colored blooms. You can keep harvesting by deadheading spent flowers regularly, and you’ll typically see peak blooming around the ~70-day mark from transplant/initial growth.