Pelargonium echinatum will live for approximately 20 years, if it is looked after. Remember they drop their leaves in late November. Do not over-water during the summer months as this action will shorten their life span by at least half. P. echinatum needs a rest period.

The ideal position in the home garden is a sunny one. The plant favours dry gardens making it the ideal water-wise subject. Anything less than 120 mm of rain is ideal. Pelargonium echinatum can tolerate a relatively wide temperature range. It is used to extreme heat (above 40°C), but it can also take low temperatures (-3°C).

Propagation is either by cuttings or seed. If one wishes to propagate by cuttings, it is advisable to harvest material in early autumn. This is when the plant is starting to produce its first set of leaves of the season. It is at this stage that the plant is at its most productive, with sap rising for the production of new leaves.

Once the cutting is taken, allow it to dry out for three days. The cutting should be 50 - 70 mm in length. Use sharp, good quality river sand to strike the cuttings in. One can use low, intermittent misters. A misting of four times a day in late April/May should suffice. Ensure the area where the cuttings are placed to root, is well ventilated and there is enough natural light (approx. 50%). The cuttings should, under the right conditions, root within two to three weeks. Plant out in one pint bags. Use sandy loam with very well-rotted compost. Move to a sunny location. By September the plants should be strong enough to be planted either in a pot or outside.

Seeds are borne in September and October of each year (southern hemisphere). Collect the seed once ripe. The seeds have long, corkscrew-like tails attached to them. These twirly tails help the seed to bore into the soil. Only sow the seed in April/May of the following season. Sow in well-drained loam, approx. 1 cm below the soil surface. Keep moist and well ventilated. Allow plenty of light. The seeds will germinate in two to four weeks. Prick out carefully without damaging the roots and plant into one pint bags. Move to a sunny location. In most cases only plant these young seedlings in April of the following year.