This species was probably first cultivated in Holland in around 1738, and was introduced to Britain by Francis Masson in 1786. It is a fast growing, showy, long-flowering but relatively short-lived (5 years) perennial that brings spring colour to the mixed border, the shrubbery, fynbos gardens, coastal gardens and beach-front gardens where it looks particularly striking when the white, pink and purple colour forms are planted together. It can be used like a bedding plant to create a dense band of colour for a border, or allowed to form a rounded bush of 3-5 plants grouped together. It also does very well in containers, and can be used in hanging baskets, tubs and window boxes.

Pelargonium betulinum requires full sun or semi-shade, and a neutral, well-drained sandy soil with ample compost (leaf mould), a recommended mix being 1 part loam : 2 parts sand : 2 parts compost, plus some granular fertiliser. The plants can be fed during the growing season with moderate amounts of granular fertilizer or a seaweed-based fertilizer. This species is wind- and drought-tolerant and need only be watered when the soil is dry. Healthier stronger plants will be produced if they are watered deeply less frequently, rather than being given light waterings every day. It can be considered hardy to a winter minimum of approximately -5oC / 23oF (USDA zone 9) but is not suitable for permanent outdoor cultivation in regions that experience prolonged periods below freezing. Bushes can be pruned after flowering and the removal of up to one third of the growth will rejuvenate the plant and improve flowering the following season.

Propagation is by cuttings or seed. This species is readily propagated from softwood and tip cuttings taken from healthy young growth in autumn (March to May). The cuttings should be left to dry in a cool spot for a few hours. The basal ends should be dipped in a rooting hormone, and inserted into a prepared hole made by a dibber or a nail to avoid damaging the ends. The cuttings should be rooted in a cold frame, in a well-drained medium, such as coarse river sand. The first watering should contain a fungicide or agricultural disinfectant — for example a.i. benomyl (Benlate)/copper oxychloride/captab (Kaptan)/didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (Sporekill)) — after which the cuttings should be watered regularly but not excessively. Rooting should occur in 4 to 8 weeks and a weaning period of 1 week is recommended. The newly rooted cuttings can be fed with a seaweed-based fertilizer and potted up after they have been weaned.

Seed should be sown at a depth of 2-3 mm in late summer to autumn (February to March) in a well-drained sandy loam. Germination should occur in 1-3 weeks with percentage germination of ±75%. Remember that plants grown from seed will show some degree of variation and, if a particular form or variant is required, it must be propagated vegetatively.