What is Pelargonium × fragrans 'New Variegatum'?

Pelargonium × fragrans 'New Variegatum' is a hybrid cultivar of scented geranium belonging to the family Geraniaceae, originating from South Africa. The denomination "× fragrans" designates a horticultural hybrid selected for the aromatic quality of its foliage — and "fragrans" says it all: this plant smells wonderful, intensely, naturally, at the slightest touch.

The 'New Variegatum' designation distinguishes this improved version of the classic fragrans 'Variegatum' cultivar, with a more contrasted and more stable variegated foliage — the cream variegation is cleaner, more regular, and holds better throughout the season. Like all scented geraniums, it is exclusively the foliage that is fragrant: its small white flowers veined with pink are discreet and delicate, but carry no particular scent.

What are the unique characteristics of this variety?

• Grey-green and cream variegated foliage: its small rounded leaves, slightly lobed and soft to the touch, display a grey-green base with a cream or pale yellow margin of great regularity. This variegation makes it one of the most decorative scented pelargoniums, even in the absence of flowers.
• Unique pine-nutmeg fragrance: this is its absolutely distinctive olfactory signature. Brushing the leaves releases a fresh and spicy fragrance combining maritime pine resin with warm notes of nutmeg — an aromatic combination found in no other common ornamental plant.
• It is the leaves, not the flowers, that are fragrant: the tiny aromatic glands housed in the fine down covering the leaves are filled with terpenic essential oils, released by touch, warm weather, or a light breeze moving through the foliage.
• Small white flowers veined with purple: discreet and elegant, they rise above the foliage from May until the first frosts in light clusters of 2 to 3 cm, forming a delicate contrast with the bicolour foliage.
• Compact and bushy habit: the plant naturally forms a small rounded, well-branched shrub of 30 to 40 cm in height and spread — perfectly suited to pots and window boxes.
• Relative frost tolerance: it can tolerate temperatures down to -3°C in very free-draining soil in a sheltered position, making it one of the most cold-resistant scented pelargoniums in its category.

Pelargonium × fragrans: origin and fragrance

The Pelargonium × fragrans group comprises horticultural hybrids derived from crosses between wild South African species, selected since the eighteenth century for the aromatic quality of their foliage. The characteristic pine and nutmeg fragrance comes from the richness of the foliage in resinous terpenes — compounds closely related to those found in pine and eucalyptus essential oils. Its leaves can also be used to flavour culinary preparations — creams, sorbets, teas — lending an original resinous and spicy note.

How to grow Pelargonium × fragrans 'New Variegatum'?

• Light: full sun to partial shade. Light is essential on two levels: it intensifies essential oil production, and it maintains the cream variegation strongly contrasted. An overly shaded position produces foliage that reverts to green and loses its graphic interest.
• Substrate: light, free-draining and fertile. A mix of general-purpose potting compost and perlite (20–30%) is ideal. Like all South African species, P. × fragrans tolerates poorly heavy substrates and root moisture excess.
• Watering: moderate and measured. Wait until the substrate is dry for the top 2 cm before watering. Slight summer dryness concentrates the essential oils and intensifies the fragrance — avoid keeping the substrate constantly moist.
• Feeding: a balanced, potassium-rich fertiliser every 2 to 3 weeks from May to September. Avoid nitrogen-heavy feeds, which encourage green growth at the expense of fragrance and variegation.
• Pinching: pinch the longest stems regularly to encourage branching and maintain a compact, dense habit. Each pinch releases a burst of resinous fragrance.

What are the care requirements?

• Routine maintenance: remove damaged or yellowing leaves regularly. Remove faded flower heads to direct energy towards the foliage.
• Overwintering: bring indoors before hard frosts into a bright, cool, frost-free space (minimum 5–10°C). Reduce watering to once every 2 to 3 weeks and stop all feeding. In very sheltered, very free-draining conditions, it may tolerate brief spells of -3°C.
• Spring pruning: in March–April, cut stems back by a third to stimulate dense regrowth and encourage production of new variegated foliage — always more fragrant than old wood.
• Repotting: every 2 years in spring, into a slightly larger pot with fully renewed fresh substrate.

Where to plant Pelargonium × fragrans 'New Variegatum'?

• In a pot on a terrace or balcony: its compact 30–40 cm habit is ideal for containers of all sizes. Placed within easy reach, it will be brushed regularly and release its fragrance with each passing.
• In a window box: the variegated foliage is beautifully showcased in a sunny window box, where it creates a luminous, graphic and original effect.
• Indoors near a bright window: it naturally scents a room and acts as a discreet mosquito repellent.
• In borders in mild regions: in areas with gentle winters, planted in open ground in an aromatic border, it forms beautiful compact and aromatic clumps.
• Plant combination: for a collection of scented geraniums with perfectly compatible requirements, pair P. fragrans 'New Variegatum' and its resinous spicy notes with Pelargonium 'Noel' — two collection varieties that share identical cultural requirements and complement each other visually and olfactorily.

What are the advantages for collectors?

• A dual decorative and olfactory interest: few plants combine so naturally the graphic elegance of a highly ornamental variegated foliage with the power of such a distinctive fragrance.
• A rarity unavailable in mainstream garden centres: this variety is not found in ordinary retailers. Its availability is limited to specialist nurseries that cultivate it with care.
• A functional fragrance: natural mosquito repellent, culinary aromatic, spiced note for teas — its uses extend well beyond simple ornament.
• Easy integration: its compact size and modest requirements make it perfectly compatible with many other varieties from our collection of over 40 scented pelargoniums.

How to propagate Pelargonium × fragrans 'New Variegatum'?

Propagation is exclusively by stem cuttings — sowing does not faithfully reproduce the variegation:

• Take a semi-ripe stem cutting of 8 to 12 cm with 2 to 3 pairs of leaves, in spring or early summer.
• Remove the lower leaves and any flower buds present.
• Allow the cut end to air-dry for 1 to 2 hours before planting — essential to prevent rot.
• Plant in a very free-draining mix (coarse sand/compost, half and half), slightly moist.
• Place in indirect light at approximately 18–20°C, without a cover or plastic bag.
• Rooting occurs in 3 to 4 weeks.

For full guidance on propagation techniques, see our complete cuttings guide.