Americana Red

Geranium

Zone 10a Save Garden

🌱 70d to harvest Upright

Velvety, saturated blooms in Americana Red pour from sturdy bedding mounds, their petals glowing with a crisp, true-red intensity…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Jan 16th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Mar 13th
Harvest Begins	May 22nd
Harvest Ends	Dec 19th

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)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

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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.

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.

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.