Scented geraniums are not your grandmother's large-flowering annuals. Instead, they are plants whose fragrant foliage is the star of the show. There are many different varieties and though they are not cold hardy, many grow well indoors during the winter.
Did you know that there are more than 100 varieties of scented geraniums with interesting varieties such as mint, rose, apple, apricot, nutmeg, lemon, orange, lime, ginger, chocolate, cinnamon, and coconut?
Nursery Zonal Geraniums
These are the mass-produced geraniums you see in every garden center in the spring. These geraniums, also known as zonal geraniums, display a beautiful array of flowers in many colors but are not fragrant.
You typically see them in garden beds along walkways, in window boxes, or in outdoor pots.
Perennial Geraniums
A true geranium, though related, is a hardy perennial (shown above) and it's a totally different plant. Another pretty cottage-like flowering plant, however, it is also not fragrant. You can read more about hardy perennial geraniums here.
Pelargonium - Scented Geraniums
You may be familiar with a scented geranium known as the mosquito plant or Pelargonium citrosum. This plant can usually be found at most big box stores and nurseries often where they are selling herbs. Some claim it wards off pests but in reality, it does not contain citronella oil; it just has a citronella-like scent.
Scented geraniums are prized more for their leaves and produce small delicate flowers. Both the flowers and leaves are edible. A common use in cooking is making a scented geranium pound cake lining the pan with scented geranium leaves. Another is making scented geranium sugar by layering the leaves in a jar of sugar. After a week or so you will have scented sugar to use as you wish.
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You can also dry the leaves to use in potpourri.
Growing Scented Geraniums
Scented geraniums are native to South Africa and are considered tender perennials hardy only to zones 9-11. This means you need to bring them in during the winter months if you live in a colder climate.
Outdoors they prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade.
If you are growing scented geraniums indoors place them in a sunny window and water well once a week. In late spring, start acclimating them to the outdoors again by gradually leaving them outside for a few hours during the day and bringing them back inside at night. Increase the amount of time daily until the nighttime temperature reaches over 50 degrees.
Scented geraniums are known to get leggy and should be pinched back to encourage a bushy shape. You can do this anytime but often the best time is during the spring.
Note: These plants are toxic to pets. If you think your pet has eaten the plant call your veteranian hospital or the pet poison hotline.
Propagating Scented Geraniums
Take cuttings and root them in water. They respond extremely well to this process. In about a week or two you will have well-established roots that you can plant and enjoy or share with friends.
I've read that they can be trained as a standard. I think that would be beautiful and may even try training one myself. In the meantime, I enjoy rubbing the leaves as I walk by and enjoying their wonderful fragrance.
More Scented Plants You'll Love
Linda Johnston
Happy 4th of July! We have common geraniums on our patio in the direct sun escented ones. very summer. I had no idea there were scented ones!
Patti Estep
Linda, they are all great plants. Now you'll have something new to look for the next time you go plant shopping. Happy 4th!
Denise
I've just moved to Oregon from Santa Barbara. I had a garden full of scented geraniums! Where do I get them up here?
Patti Estep
Hi Denise,
Many nurseries carry them. You can also buy them online. Here are two options.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=scented+geranium+plants
http://www.logees.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=scented+geraniums
Hope that helps,
Patti
Karen
I always love learning new things when I visit you! Scented geraniums are a plant I've never had experience with, and I love the idea of strong-scented plants. Gardenias are our most popular here. I'd love to add something a little different - I'm going to check these out!
Thanks for the great tips and information you always share.
Patti Estep
Thanks Karen, you will start to love them and they can easily be ordered online if you can't find any nearby.
They may last outside all year long in your neck of the woods.
Patti
Lisa
I forgot all about these sweet delicate flowers! These would be a great plant to introduce to my daughter's Girl Scout troop. ...might plant a "gardening seed" in their pretty little heads! Thanks for the idea.
Dorothy
Could you explain how to pinch back geraniums. My seem to ramble all over the place.
Patti
Hi Dorothy,
Sure. All I do is pinch with my fingers or cut with scissors etc.. just above the area where a leaf stem is growing. The plant should branch out from there. So if you have a large plant you cut back as much as you want, maybe one third, making your cut above that leaf node. Then if you want you root the cuttings in water or in a soilless mix and then you'll have more to grow or give away.
Let me know if that answers your question or you need more information and have a great day.
Patti
Jill
Happy Almost Spring! Thanks for helping me think about my porch pots with the scented geraniums. I just saw an article on the perils of gardening. Maybe you could do something that shows the health benefits and how to be safe. Maybe a great way to go viral! Have a great day!
Patti
Hi Jill,
Happy Spring to you! The warmer weather is finally here!!
I love your health and safety idea.
I'll add it to my schedule.
Have a great day and thanks, as always for your lovely comments!
Patti