When does sticky geranium bloom?

Sticky geranium typically flowers from May through July, producing pink to lavender blooms on upright stems in open, sunny sites.

What pollinators visit sticky geranium?

Bees and butterflies regularly visit sticky geranium for nectar and pollen during its spring and summer bloom period.

How much water does sticky geranium need?

Once established, sticky geranium tolerates low water and dry summer conditions, though it can also handle occasional medium moisture in the growing season.

What growing conditions suit sticky geranium best?

This forb does best in full sun to part sun in mountain meadows, sagebrush steppe, and open forest edges with well drained soil.

Is Sticky Geranium toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sticky Geranium as toxic to livestock.

Is Sticky Geranium HOA-friendly?

Sticky Geranium takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Sticky Geranium

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Geranium viscosissimum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Sticky geranium is a perennial forb that blooms pink to lavender flowers from May through July in sunny meadows and open woodlands. It tolerates dry, low water conditions once established and attracts bees and butterflies.

Toxicity unknown

Sticky Geranium (Geranium viscosissimum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Sticky Geranium as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, CO, ID, MT and 7 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains

Sticky geranium is a native wildflower with pink to purple five-petaled blooms and deeply divided green leaves. It forms compact mounds that bloom from May through July, then goes dormant in late summer. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun with minimal water once established.

Growing Sticky Geranium

Grow Sticky Geranium in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sticky Geranium takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Goes completely dormant by late summer, leaving bare spots
Can appear weedy or unkempt when not flowering
May spread unpredictably in favorable conditions

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during its spring and early summer bloom period. Its seeds provide food for birds and small mammals.

Common questions

When does sticky geranium bloom?: Sticky geranium typically flowers from May through July, producing pink to lavender blooms on upright stems in open, sunny sites.
What pollinators visit sticky geranium?: Bees and butterflies regularly visit sticky geranium for nectar and pollen during its spring and summer bloom period.
How much water does sticky geranium need?: Once established, sticky geranium tolerates low water and dry summer conditions, though it can also handle occasional medium moisture in the growing season.
What growing conditions suit sticky geranium best?: This forb does best in full sun to part sun in mountain meadows, sagebrush steppe, and open forest edges with well drained soil.
Is Sticky Geranium toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sticky Geranium as toxic to livestock.
Is Sticky Geranium HOA-friendly?: Sticky Geranium takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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