Pelargonium suburbanum subsp. suburbanum is a fast growing, showy, long flowering plant, an outstanding plant for rockeries, walls and steep slopes, an excellent ground cover in a sunny position in any garden, and is tolerant of coastal conditions. It is also suitable for hanging baskets, window boxes or tubs. It flowers from mid-winter until mid-summer (the end of June to well into January), with a peak during early summer (October to December).

Pelargoniums like plenty of light, a well-drained soil, and good air circulation. Light shade or full shade for part of the day is tolerated by most South African Pelargonium species. In their natural environment they are found growing in the shelter of bushes or rocks, where even if the leaves are exposed, the roots are cool. A good sandy, loamy soil of 1 part loam : 2 parts sand : 2 parts compost, plus some fertilizer, will suit most pelargoniums. The soil pH is not a critical factor, and a neutral to slightly acidic pH is suitable for most species. Watering is an important factor in the cultivation of pelargoniums, both for their growth rate and for the health of the plants. A general rule of thumb is to only water when dry and under-watering is preferable to over-watering as almost all their problems in cultivation arise from over-watering or poor drainage. The stems of Pelargonium suburbanum subsp. suburbanum can be slightly hairy and thus retain water on their surface. Watering should be done in the early morning to prevent outbreaks of fungal diseases or rust. Pelargoniums are tender to frost and will succumb to wet cold and prolonged frost and are not suitable for permanent outdoor cultivation in areas with a winter minimum of less than -1 to 4 oC (30 to 40 oF) (USDA Zone 10).

The plants are not long lived and should be replanted after two years, when they tend to start dying off from the centre. However, they are very easy to propagate from cuttings and seed germinates readily.

Stem cuttings may be taken in summer or autumn from a parent plant that is strong and healthy. The stem should be fairly firm but not woody, with at least 3 to 5 leaf nodes, and cut just below a node. The leaves and stipules should be removed leaving only a few leaves intact on the top. Large leaves may be trimmed to reduce moisture loss. The cuttings should be left to dry for a few hours before being placed in the soil. The cuttings should be rooted in trays or in cold frames, in a well-drained medium e.g. coarse river sand. They can also be planted directly into the ground, as long as they are given light shade and are watered regularly until they have rooted. The basal ends of the cutting should be dipped in a rooting hormone to improve the rate of rooting and inserted in a prepared hole made by a dibber or a nail to avoid damaging the ends. The cuttings should be watered regularly but kept on the dry side, as over-watering will result in losses. After root formation has started, 4 to 8 weeks later, the cuttings should be fed with a seaweed-based fertilizer and potted up 1 or 2 weeks after this. Plants produced this way will flower in approximately 3 to 6 months.

The seed of pelargoniums has an interesting mechanism: the elliptical seeds have a feathered tail-like structure, which is coiled into a spiral. The tail causes the seed to be twisted around so that it drills into the soil in a corkscrew fashion and thus secures itself in the soil. For optimum germination, seed is best sown when fresh, although it may remain viable for up to 7 years. Sow seed in a light, well-drained soil with a high content of coarse sand. Firm down and level the medium gently. Broadcast the seed evenly, covering it with a layer of clean sand. The depth of sowing is usually one and a half times the size of the seed. Water thoroughly but gently and provide light shade. Germination usually takes place within 10 to 14 days but can take longer if temperatures are low. Plants grown from seed are generally more vigorous than those produced from cuttings, however, they take longer to flower, from 12 to 18 months after sowing, and may also display a certain amount of variation.