Extremely attractive plants due to the special fragrance of their leaves and their unique appearance, which can be successfully grown both indoors year-round and in gardens or on terraces from March–April until October, scented geraniums are perhaps best known for the variety with a lemon scent, which has insect-repellent qualities, especially against mosquitoes.
Most varieties in horticultural culture are hybrids with one of the parent species being Pelargonium graveolens, a South African species native to the Cape Province and northern provinces of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Alongside this species, other taxa used in creating these hybrids include Pelargonium crispum, P. tomentosum, P. capitatum, and P. radens.
The complete range of geraniums from Secret Garden is available here (link).
The cultivation of scented geraniums began in Europe in the 18th century, when the first plants arrived in England, where hybrid creation was started, initially grown for their flowers. Over time, however, growers' interest shifted to the scent of the leaves, which became much more important than the color and anatomy of the flower. Thus, scented geraniums became highly appreciated, given the best locations in castles and mansions, where they spread their fragrance, covering unpleasant household odors, thus becoming the first form of indoor air fresheners, which is why their presence in noble houses quickly became a necessity. As their cultivation progressed and developed, scented geraniums became accessible even to lower social classes, becoming some of the most beloved indoor plants.
In terms of cultivation and care, scented geraniums are perhaps among the easiest houseplants, successfully crowning even the first horticultural efforts of the beginner amateur.
They are extraordinarily drought-resistant, usually requiring watering once a week by submerging the pot, then allowing the excess water to drain. The next watering is recommended only when the substrate has dried considerably. During the winter period, watering should be substantially reduced, with water given only enough to keep the substrate moist.
Scented geraniums love strong light, including during winter when grown indoors. If planted in the garden, a few hours of direct sunlight are enough for optimal growth, as the plants do not appreciate excessive light exposure throughout the day. When placing them in the garden, avoid locations that get excessively hot, and the ideal temperature range for their growth is 16 – 25 ℃.
For fertilization, balanced formulas should be used with monthly application, but the fertilizer concentration should be reduced to 50% of the manufacturer’s recommended dose.
What is impressive about fragrant Pelargonium varieties is the huge variability in leaf shape and color, which often makes it easier to identify the varieties even without flowers. If we consider that this diversity of shapes and colors is also reflected in the strong aromas, which range from citrus (lemon, orange), rose, cinnamon, apple, mint to even less common scents like chocolate or cola, it’s easy to understand why every houseplant enthusiast should have at least a few specimens in their collection. Beyond their aesthetic value and unique fragrance, scented geraniums also stand out for their practical, medicinal, or cosmetic properties, thanks to the volatile oils contained in the leaf hairs. Touching or even rubbing the leaves directly on the skin releases the oils onto the skin, transferring not only the scent but also calming and insect-repellent properties. Since the leaves of these plants are also used to flavor drinks, sweets, cakes, jams, and preserves, they often lend their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to these products. The leaves of scented geraniums are frequently used to soothe coughs.
The genus name (Pelargonium), which means stork in a jacket (pelargos), alludes to the shape of the fruit, which the ancients likened to a stork's beak. The species name, graveolens, refers to the strong scent of the leaves.
The fragrant hybrids known so far are the following:
- P. 'Graveolens' (or Pelargonium graveolens hort.) – a variety with a rose scent, probably a hybrid between P. graveolens and P. radens or P. capitatum. This cultivar is often incorrectly identified as the botanical species Pelargonium graveolens. The main difference between the species and this cultivar is the degree of division of the leaf lobes. The botanical species has 5 leaf lobes, while the cultivar has 10.
- P. 'Citrosum' – a cultivar of scented geraniums with a citrus, lemon scent, similar to P. 'Graveolens', well known for its insect-repellent properties and especially appreciated for repelling mosquitoes. Although rumors circulate that this plant was genetically modified by inserting genes from the species Cymbopogon citratus (citronella), this is very unlikely and is rather an “urban myth.”
- P. 'Cinnamon Rose' – a variety of P. graveolens with a cinnamon scent.
- P. 'Dr Westerlund' – a hybrid of P. graveolens with a lemon and rose scent, very similar to P. 'Graveolens'.
- P. 'Graveolens Bontrosai' – a genetically modified hybrid of P. graveolens, with small, twisted leaves, frequent flowering, where the flowers do not fully open. In the USA, it is known as P. 'Colocho'.
- P. 'Grey Lady Plymouth' – a hybrid with a lemon and rose scent, similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth', but with grayish-green leaves that provide an impressive contrast in a bed or planter cultivated with several varieties of scented geraniums.
- P. 'Lady Plymouth' – a dominant scent of mint and a hint of rose, the taxon showing strong similarities with P. graveolens, notable for its popularity due to the minty aroma, being a hybrid of P. radens.
- P. 'Lara Starshine' – a P. graveolens cultivar with a lemon and rose fragrance, similar to P. 'Graveolens' but with a much stronger citrus aroma and pink-reddish flowers, bred by Australian horticulturist Cliff Blackman.
- P. 'Lucaeflora' – the strong rose scent in this P. graveolens hybrid is not accompanied by a citrus aroma, and its closer resemblance to the botanical species than to other horticultural varieties makes this taxon a top favorite among collectors.
- P. × melissinum – a pelargonium with the scent of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), it is a hybrid between P. crispum and P. graveolens.
- P. 'Mint Rose' – the fragrance combines rose and mint notes in this P. graveolens hybrid, very similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth' but without the well-known variegation and without its lemon scent.
- P. 'Secret Love' – an unusual eucalyptus scent is the ultimate reason to choose this P. graveolens hybrid, which has pale pink flowers.
- P. 'Van Leeni' – a hybrid with a lemon and rose scent from P. graveolens, similar to P. 'Graveolens' and P. 'Dr Westerland'.
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