Scented Pelargoniums
The scented pelargonium or scented Pelargonium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a plant cultivated for its pleasant perfume. It is native to South Africa and belongs to the Geraniaceae family. The leaves of this plant can be used to scent cosmetics, perfumes and essential oils. Some varieties of scented geranium can also be used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.
The fragrant geranium is an aromatic perennial plant, which can reach a height of 60 to 90 cm. The leaves and stems of this plant are rich in essential oils, which explains its pleasant aroma. The fragrant geranium is cultivated all over the world as an ornamental plant and for its aromatic properties.
Its foliage, very ornamental, is composed of lobed, wavy leaves, measuring 4 cm long and 6 cm wide. They are soft and velvety to the touch, due to the presence of numerous hairs secreting a very fragrant essential oil.
Take note, the "lemon geranium" will not protect you especially from mosquitoes but any fragrant geranium is a good repellent against mosquitoes or other parasites that often come to spoil summer evenings outdoors!
What soil to use for the fragrant geranium?
The best substrate for the scented geranium remains the green and flowery plants potting soil that we sell on this site. It presents good qualities of drainage and an amendment already incorporated.
Which exposure for the fragrant geranium ?
The fragrant geranium prefers an exposure in full sun or half-shade. It can tolerate subdued light, but this can lead to a reduction in the production of its essential oils and flowering.
What kind of fertilization for the lemon scented geranium?
The lemon scented geranium, mint scented geranium or rose scented geranium all have the same fertilizer requirements. To make it easier for you, the fertilizer caps to be pushed into the substrate will slowly release, without risk of burns for the roots, the minerals necessary for your plant.
What kind of maintenance should be done on the fragrant geranium ?
The lemon geranium and the other fragrant geraniums are not difficult to cultivate. Indeed, they are not very demanding in watering, on the contrary even, it is preferable to maintain them a soil on the dry.
How is the wintering of Pelargonium graveolens ?
Before the beginning of winter, you can keep your geraniums by putting them under a veranda or a cold greenhouse. The fragrant geraniuim can withstand a little frost, but will not be able to overwinter in the garden, except by the sea.
What are the different fragrances of the scented geranium?
The perfumes of these fragrant Pelargoniums are very varied. They pass by that of the most sought-after to the citronella, by the mint, the pepper, the camphor but still the citrus fruits or the maritime pine. However, classifying and determining their fragrance is not that easy, especially when you know that they all have underlying scents. That's why we called on Nicole Boschung, a journalist and great nose located in the Paris region.
You will be surprised by their different types of foliage. Some of them have very marked variegations like the Pelargonium rose scent, others have curled or waffled foliage like the Pelargonium lemon scent - graveolens 'Bontrosaï'.