| Pelargoniums (common name Zonal Geranium) are annual plants with a dark stripe on the leaves. They used to be propagated only by cuttings. Cuttings were passed down from generation to generation. In the past, only the best geraniums (pelargoniums) were grown from cuttings. Seed grown pelargoniums were inferior in quality with flower petals which scattered easily and no zonal markings on the foliage. Today, with extensive hybridizing, you can have extremely good quality pelargonium. My favorites are Ringo2000 and Elite. The best seed grown pelargonium with a dark band (zonal marking) on the leaves is in my opinion the Orbit series. If you want more information about seed vs cutting grown pelargoniums (and the difference between Pelargoniums and Gernaiums.. the old confusion) then go to the link below. In short:
- Pelargoniums (common name: geraniums) are usually called "zonal" geraniums (to differentiate them from the hardy "cranesbill" geranium. "Zonal" refer to the presence of a dark band on the green leaves. For a discussion of Pelargonium vs Geranium see the link.
- In the past, the best Pelargonium (zonal) were grown from cutting. Today about 50% are grown from seed commercially while 50% are still grown from cuttings. If you want some special Pelargoniums with special leaf forms etc, you almost always have to go with cuttings. The best zonal markings (dark bands) you get with cutting based geraniums but today great stride is made in seed grown cultivars, too.
- It used to be simple: seed grown pelargonium were inferior in flowering, performance, and without a zonal marking. Cuttings were the real deal. Today there has been made great improvements in seed grown pelargoniums and a lot of high quality cultivars are available. I recommend this article:
Seed Geranium -- article | 
