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Shiny Geranium

Geranium lucidum

Updated Aug 29, 2023

Make a Positive Identification

Shiny geranium grows 6–18 inches tall. It has shiny leaves and pink flowers.
It forms dense stands across the ground. It displaces and excludes other plants.
An annual plant, shiny geranium grows and completes its life cycle in a year or less.

Species: Shiny Geranium

Shiny geranium growing in a dense stand on roadside

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Shiny geranium grows 6–18 inches tall. It often forms dense mounds that smother other vegetation. It favors landscapes and the sides of roads, trails, and forest edges.

Species: Shiny Geranium

"Geranium lucidum - shining cranesbill" by Nick Turland is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

The leaves are shiny and lobed. Shiny geranium has small, pink flowers with five petals.

Species: Shiny Geranium

"Shining Cranesbill ; Geranium lucidum" by nz_willowherb is marked with CC BY-NC 2.0.

Stems range from green to red (shown in photo), depending on environmental conditions. The stems are hairless.

Species: Shiny Geranium

Stand of geranium plants with red leaves

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Plants turn red in the late spring and into summer. The green structures are mature flowers (capsules) that contain shiny geranium seeds.

Species: Shiny Geranium

Muséum de Toulouse, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shiny geranium forcefully ejects its tiny seeds from their capsules. This trait helps spread the seeds to form dense carpets. The seeds are textured. They stick to shoes, clothing, and pets. These seeds are carried to new areas.

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LOOK-ALIKES: ROBERT GERANIUM, DOVEFOOT GERANIUM & REDSTEM FILAREE

Species: Robert Geranium

Finely divided leaves, hairy stems, pink flowers

"Herb Robert" by nz_willowherb is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

The stems of Robert Geranium (Geranium robertianum) are red like those of shiny geranium. But its stems are covered in fine hairs and the leaves are finely divided, not lobed as shiny geranium’s are.

Take action

Robert Geranium is an invasive plant species in shaded woodlands and yards. Take action to control it.

Species: Dovefoot Geranium

Pink flower with notched petals, lobed leaves

Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org

The petals of dovefoot geranium (Geranium molle) are deeply notched. It looks like the flowers have ten petals instead of five. The leaves are more fuzzy and the stems are less red.

Different risks or methods

Dovefoot geranium is a weedy species. It is not invasive like shiny geranium. Action is optional.

Species: Filaree

Rosette of frilly leaves with pink flower

Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org

Redstem filaree or stork’s bill (Erodium cicutarium) has similar flowers to shiny geranium. Its leaves are frilly instead of lobed.

Different risks or methods

Filaree is a weedy species. It is not invasive like shiny geranium. Action is optional.

Shiny Geranium Benefits

Shiny geranium is an invasive weed. It doesn’t have any benefits for people and the environment.

Shiny Geranium Risks

If left unmanaged, shiny geranium forms a dense stand of stems and leaves that smothers other plants.
It has little food value to native animals and insects.
Shiny geranium reduces the habitat value of an area by excluding other plants.

Risk Card

Does it cause harm?

Adults & Children

None

Property

High

Pets

None

Annoyance

High

Environment

High

Action Highly Recommended

TAKE ACTION

If you have shiny geranium on your property, take action to control its spread.

Do I need to take action?
Yes. Remove individual plants and small patches. Established patches require several years to control.

What if I do nothing?
Shiny geranium takes over areas and smothers other plants. It will keep spreading if left unmanaged.

NEED HELP?

Consider a licensed pest control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon and other states can suggest other methods.

SOLUTIONS FOR SHINY GERANIUM

Early Detection & Rapid Response

Watch for shiny geranium on property you manage. Remove it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Physically Remove Plants & Non-Chemical Options

Control shiny geranium in the fall after it germinates. Or control it in the spring before it flowers.
Pull out plants with hand tools. Shiny geranium has shallow roots. Plants are easy to cut or pull.
Mulching and flame weeding also effectively control shiny geranium.
Mowing is not recommended for shiny geranium. It will spread the seeds if the seed capsules are present.

Herbicides (Weed Killers)

Herbicides effectively control shiny geranium when used according to the label instructions.

Monitoring & Follow-Up

Shiny geranium plants make many seeds and the seeds spread easily.
If shiny geranium grows on your property or nearby, look for it each year. Look in the fall, winter, and early spring before plants flower. Control shiny geranium as needed each year as needed.
After you remove shiny geranium, new plants will grow in the same spot unless you take steps to prevent them.

Method	Does it work?	Is it safe?	Recommendation
A Physically Remove Plants	Very effective	Low risk	Recommended
B Mulch	Effective	Low risk	Recommended
C Flame Weeding	Effective	High risk	Use if Necessary
D Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate	Effective	Moderate risk	Use if Necessary
E If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
F PREVENT SHINY GERANIUM

Physically Remove Plants

Non-Chemical Method

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Physically Remove Plants

Recommended

Hand-pull shiny geranium by grasping the center of the plant close to the ground.
Remove as much of the root system as possible.

Does it work?	Very effective Plants have shallow roots and are easy to remove. Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?	High effort Remove plants by hand or with tools. Return to the area each year and repeat as needed.
What's the risk?	Low risk
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	NONE

How to Dispose of Shiny Geranium Plants

For plants that don’t yet have seed pods, you can compost on site or via municipal composting.
For plants that have developed seed pods, bag and dispose of plants in the sanitary landfill. Seeds can continue to develop after plants are pulled from the ground.

Soil Disturbance & Erosion

Minimize soil disturbance as much as possible when removing shiny geranium.
Regrade the soil after digging dandelion roots. Apply mulch (when appropriate).
Take steps to prevent erosion as needed.
Replant the area to shade out new weeds.

Mulch

Non-Chemical Method

Larisa Stefanuyk, iStock

Mulch

Recommended

Smother shiny geranium seeds in the soil with a thick layer of wood mulch.

Does it work?	Effective A thick layer of mulch applied to the soil surface keeps annual weeds like shiny geranium from sprouting.
How much effort?	Moderate effort Remove existing weeds and regrade the soil. Apply a layer of wood chips or bark dust 3-4 inches thick on the soil surface.
What's the risk?	Low risk
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	NONE

Example of sheet mulching with leaves on cardboard laid on the soil surface

"lasagna garden in progress" by naturalflow is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Sheet Mulching Method

The sheet mulching method uses a layer of cardboard or newspaper placed on the soil with mulch on top.
The cardboard helps to smother existing weeds and seeds in the soil.
A disadvantage of sheet mulching is that the cardboard creates an interface that limits the flow of water and air into the soil.
The cardboard layer breaks down after several months and the mulch will begin to decompose through contact with the soil.

Flame Weeding

Non-Chemical Method

USDA APHIS PPQ - Oxford, North Carolina , USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

Flame Weeding

Use if Necessary

Flame weeding tools have a propane tank and torch. These tools effectively kill seedlings and low-growing plants.

Does it work?	Effective Established stands of shiny geranium require flame weeding several times per year to keep plants from flowering and setting seed.
How much effort?	Moderate effort Pass the weeding torch over the weeds. The heat disrupts the cell wall of plant cells. Return to the area each year and repeat as needed.
What's the risk?	High risk Use caution to avoid starting a wildfire if you choose to use a propane torch for weeding. Check with your local fire department to make sure you may use a flame weeder in your area.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	NONE

Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate

Chemical Method: Use with caution

Chameleonseye, iStock

Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate

Use if Necessary

Herbicides with the active ingredients triclopyr and glyphosate effectively control shiny geranium.

Does it work?	Effective Several years of monitoring and effort are necessary to get rid of shiny geranium. Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?	Moderate effort Spot-spray individual plants and patches. Return to the area each year and repeat as needed.
What's the risk?	Moderate risk Herbicides come with real risks. ALWAYS read the entire label front to back. Review instructions even for brands you know. Herbicides can run off your site into waterways and may harm wildlife. See How to Keep Pesticides Out of Waterways.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	Using herbicides includes some amount of risk. The lowest risk comes with using alternative methods. You may be exposed to an herbicide if you: Get it on your skin Breathe it in Eat or smoke afterward without washing hands Touch or eat plants that are wet with spray (you, pets, or children) Bring it inside on your shoes or clothes Follow directions closely to reduce risk.

Natural resource management professionals use herbicide products that contain triclopyr and glyphosate, individually or in a mixture, as effective chemical treatments for shiny geranium control. Look for these chemical names in the “Active Ingredients” section of product labels.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient triclopyr

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

The white box on this example product label highlights active ingredient triclopyr. The text on the label states “Kills completely - stumps and roots won’t regrow.”
Triclopyr doesn’t injure most grasses. It is a good choice for treating shiny geranium growing next to desired grasses in lawn, pasture, and meadow areas. Read the label to ensure your lawn grass will not be harmed.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient glyphosate

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

The white box on the example label highlights active ingredient glyphosate. Text on the label states “Kills grass and weeds around flower beds....”
Glyphosate will damage most plants and grasses. Don’t let the spray contact plants you want to keep.

Herbicide Application Tips

Spray shiny geranium after plants have emerged, but before flowering. Flowering typically begins in March in the Pacific Northwest.
Seeds germinate in the late fall following rain. Some may germinate in late winter during mild weather. Soon after plants emerge is a good time to treat shiny geranium. Herbicides are most effective on seedlings and small plants.
Monitor the area and repeat treatment each year, as needed.
Preemergent herbicide products work to keep shiny geranium seeds in the soil from sprouting. Follow up by applying a layer of mulch.

If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks

Chemical Method: Use with Caution

Mkovalevskaya, iStock

Why is it important to read herbicide labels?

They have detailed information on how to use the product correctly and legally.
They contain information on potential hazards of the product.
They provide instructions you should follow for poisonings and spills.
Following label instructions helps you to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits.

Key Herbicide Safety Tips

Read the entire label front to back.
Follow the instructions.
Review the instructions even for brands you know.
Only apply the product where the label says it may be applied.
Be precise in your application. More is not better.

The Label is the Law

ALWAYS read the label before using herbicide products. The label is a legal document that provides information on how to safely use the herbicide. This helps avoid harm to human health and the environment. Using an herbicide in off-label ways is illegal. It can result in legal enforcement actions.

READ THE LABEL & Follow Instructions
It has instructions to protect you and the environment.

Labels are different for every product and they often change over time.
Use a magnifying glass if needed.
Pay attention to CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER statements.
Pay attention to the PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
The law states you must read and follow herbicide instructions.

Protect Yourself
Eye, skin & lung irritants

Wear the right protective gear. This often includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.
Mix outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Wash hands after mixing or applying, and before eating or smoking.
Take a shower immediately after handling herbicides.
Wash clothes worn while mixing or applying separately from other laundry.

Protect Children & Pets
Children are at risk if they discharge a pressurized insecticide can. Keep out of reach of children.

Keep children and pets away from the application area. They may be stung many times.
Remove toys and pet dishes from the area before applying insecticides.

Protect Plants You Want to Keep

Glyphosate and similar herbicide ingredients damage both grass and broadleaf plants.
Minimize spraying of foliage, stems, exposed roots, or the trunks of desirable shrubs or trees to avoid harm.
Follow the label to avoid damaging the roots of trees and shrubs.

Avoid Wet, Windy, or Hot Weather
Use during favorable weather for best results.

Don’t spray when it’s raining or when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
Wind causes spray to drift that can get on you and desired plants.
Herbicides may be less effective in hot weather if the target plants are moisture-stressed.
Some herbicides can turn into a vapor in hot weather and damage nearby plants.

Storage & Disposal

Store in a secure area away from children.
Don’t put unused herbicide products in the trash.
Never pour down any drain or waterway.
Take unused herbicides to a hazardous waste facility.

Call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) to find out where to dispose of herbicides.

For the Portland metro region in Oregon, contact Metro’s Recycling Information. Call 503-234-3000, email or visit Metro’s website

More about:

About Using Pesticides on School Grounds in Oregon

If using pesticides on school grounds, there are special rules in Oregon. See School Integrated Pest Management (Oregon Department of Agriculture).