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Americana Red

Family: Geraniaceae Zonal Geranium
Zone 13b Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Americana Red to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.

Velvety, saturated blooms in Americana Red pour from sturdy bedding mounds, their petals glowing with a crisp, true-red intensity that feels almost luminous in the garden light.

Expect a lush, compact habit with dependable flowering over a long season, producing a soft, rounded texture that looks freshly dressed from morning through dusk. Ideal for creating bold color blocks, window boxes, and patio planters—an ornamental showstopper that brings instant curb appeal wherever it’s planted.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Americana Red

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Crop Dates : 13b

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 13b, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).
MilestoneDate
Start Indoors—
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsOct 1st
Harvest BeginsDec 10th
Harvest EndsFeb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity70
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitUpright
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)60
Min Night Temp (°F)50
Harden Off (days)7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Even though it’s labeled edible, bedding geranium blooms are often more floral-perfumey than truly flavorful—some people read a faint soapiness when you overdo it. Use a few petals for fragrance, taste before scaling up, and let bright citrus and sweet ingredients carry the show.

Best Uses

  • Use petals sparingly as an aromatic garnish—taste first, then go light
  • Infuse gently in sugar or syrup for a floral perfume (short steep, cool, then strain)
  • Combine only with strongly flavored companions to avoid a soapy edge

Flavor Profile

Most geranium (Pelargonium) bedding types are used for scent, not flavor—blooms are typically mild and can taste soapy or astringent Velvety petal texture, delicate and quick to break

Kitchen Pairings

lemon zest honey raspberries vanilla white sugar syrup

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Pelargonium × hortorum (Americana Red), and how can I stop it?
A frequent issue is botrytis blight (gray mold), especially when leaves stay wet and air movement is poor. Remove affected leaves, water at the soil line instead of overhead, and space plants so foliage isn’t touching. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for botrytis and avoid watering late in the day.
How often should I water Pelargonium × hortorum during the main growing phase?
Water when the top 1 inch of potting mix or soil feels dry; Pelargonium × hortorum prefers evenly moist soil but does not tolerate soggy roots. During active growth, that’s often about 2–3 times per week in warm conditions, less if temperatures are mild. Ensure drainage is excellent—plants will wilt and can rot if kept constantly wet.
How do I know when Americana Red Pelargonium is ready to harvest?
For Pelargonium × hortorum grown for blooms, you should harvest by cutting flower stems as soon as buds are fully colored and the first floret on each stem is open. Plants typically reach usable flowering by about 70 days from sowing/starting, but harvest timing is determined by bloom stage rather than a single calendar date. Cut in the morning, remove any spent heads to encourage fresh flowering.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 13b, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 13b, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 60°F and nights stay above 50°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 7 days first.

Direct Sow Preferred

Sensitive roots — does not transplant well. If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots and disturb roots as little as possible when moving outdoors.

Expert Note

Harden off before planting outdoors and keep soil warm and evenly moist to prevent bud drop, especially after cool nights.