Pelargonium hispidum is an erect shrub of over 2 m in height. The name grootblaarmalva (big leaf pelargonium) suggests the large lobed and toothed leaves with their conspicuous coarse hairs and strong scent when crushed.

The small flowers have pink petals, marked with purple.

The species distribution is in the Western Cape from Piketberg to Bredasdorp and the Swartberg range, north of Oudtshoorn. The habitat is mountain slopes near streams. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; www.plantzafrica.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).