Skip to content
The Patent Garden

Genus

Geranium

988 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 798 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 190 still protected comes off patent on September 27, 2026.

On the name: Genus taken from the botanical name printed on the patent: "Geranium x cantabrigiense Varietal Denomination". The title calls this plant a geranium, which in horticulture can mean either Pelargonium or hardy Geranium.

Still under patent — 190 cultivars

Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.

Already in the public domain — 798 cultivars

Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell these plants — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.

A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name comes with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked, so they are always free to use. What it does not free is any brand name the plant is marketed under. Those are trademarks and renew indefinitely.