This is a genus of about 200 species of herbaceous perennials, succulents and shrubs. They are native to areas in South Africa.

When sold as a bedding plant and used as an annual in the home garden, members of this genus are often called by the misnomer, geranium. They differ from plants in the genus, Geranium, due to the fact that Pelargoniums have a calyx spur that is united to the pedicel. This trait is very minor and can be seen by making a longitudinal section of the pedicel.

The name confusion comes because Carl Linnaeus originally lumped Pelargoniums into the genus Geranium but a later taxonomist separated them out into their own genus.