The Dirt | Weed of the Month December 2025 | Shining Geranium (Geranium lucidum)

The image discusses shining geranium (Geranium lucidum), a noxious weed in Oregon, its characteristics, impact, and management methods.
A lush green ground cover with tiny pink flowers, glistening with moisture, creating a vibrant and fresh natural scene.
A close up of the leaves and flowers of shining geranium.
A lush patch of green leaves with red stems, possibly a type of wildflower or herb, and a hint of small buds and flowers.
A close up of the leaves, flowers, and red stem of shining geranium.
The image shows small green plants with round leaves and pink flowers growing on a mossy surface.
A close up of the leaves, flowers, and red stem of shining geranium.
A lush green ground cover with tiny pink flowers, glistening with moisture, creating a vibrant and fresh natural scene.
A lush patch of green leaves with red stems, possibly a type of wildflower or herb, and a hint of small buds and flowers.
The image shows small green plants with round leaves and pink flowers growing on a mossy surface.

Our December Weed of the Month is Shining geranium (Geranium lucidum). A common weed in roadsides and forest understories, this annual plant is known for its waxy "shiny" leaves, bright red stems, and bright pink flowers. This moisture-loving plant germinates in the fall and blooms between April-June. 

Though small, this species is a B-listed Noxious Weed in the state of Oregon. Its fall germination lifecycle gives it a competitive advantage over spring-germinating native wildflowers since it is first to establish and benefit from early spring rain.

Luckily, the root system of shining geranium is very shallow and makes it easy to hand pull or dig up to remove manually. You can also apply a generous layer of mulch over the area that the plant is growing to smother it. When growing in abundance, a backpack herbicide application is recommended.

Read more about this species and best management practices on the Oregon Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Profile and Oregon State University Solve Pest Problems.