These red-brown buds of Pelargonium cordifolium show the hairy outside surfaces of the acutely pointed narrow sepals. Pale, cream-coloured slits show where they will separate upon opening.

The stalks or pedicels of the individual flowers are still short, partly hidden behind large pointed bracts at the base of the umbel. The peduncle (stalk) of the whole umbel is long and strong, having to carry a bigger load in a position of high visibility for nectar marketing. These peduncles will be straight by the time the flowers are open.

The recessed leaf veins, leaf lobes and toothing on the margins, as well as the heart-shaped leaf outline are all visible. Leaf stalks are red-brown and covered in soft white hairs, as are the flower stalks.