In this study, we investigated the changes of physiological characteristics of geranium varieties and the absorption of cadmium under cadmium contaminated soil with added EDTA treatments. The results showed that EDTA could activate heavy metals in soil, and Pelargonium domesticum ‘Lavender’ and Pelargonium crispum ‘Variegatum’ could increase the transfer efficiency of heavy metals from soil to the upper part of plant by 171% and 11.7%, respectively. Under cadmium stress, the photosynthesis and the chlorophyll content of geranium decreased, while the activities of CAT, SOD and POD, and the contents of MDA and proline increased. After comprehensive evaluation, we found that: Pelargonium peltatum variety ‘Red’ had the strongest ability in heavy metal tolerance, Pelargonium ‘Divas Raspberry Veins’ showed the highest soil purification ability, and Pelargonium domesticum ‘Lavender’ was the best variety in enrichment of Cd and purification of soil with addition of EDTA.