Scented-Leaved Geraniums (Pelargonium), which are native to South Africa, can provide a fragrant perfume of roses, citrus, fruit, nuts, mint, and other herbs throughout your home and yard. These little perennials are grown as annuals in Pennsylvania. Arrange them so that the lovely scents of them waft from patios, walks, and porches.
In pots with other flowering plants, the leaves add texture and fragrance. This article covers growing and taking care of geraniums with aromatic leaves.
Scented-Leaved Geraniums Overview
| Botanical Name | Pelargonim |
| Family | Geraniaceae |
| Plant Type | Tender perennial, annual |
| Mature size | 1 to 3 ft. tall |
| Sun Exposure | Full partial |
| Soil Type | Well- drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Colour | White, pink, red |
| Hardiness Zone | 10 to 11 (USDA) |
Where to Plant Scented Geraniums
Geraniums with a strong scent can be planted in the ground, grown in containers outside, or grown indoors. Though usually considered an annual elsewhere, they can be grown as perennials in zones 10 and 11. Their favourite locations are bright ones with rich, well-draining soil; however, they occasionally tolerate some shade.
Pick a planting location where you can be sure to occasionally brush against the leaves and inhale the fragrant perfume of scented geraniums. Incorporate them into vibrant container arrangements or place them next to paths in herb gardens or perennial beds.
When and How to Plant Scented Geranium
Plant pelargoniums in the early MindSpring, once the risk of frost has completely disappeared. Pelargonium can be planted indoors at any time of year if kept in a well-lit location.
If you are planting a nursery specimen in the ground, dig a hole of the same size as your root ball. Plants should be 8 to 12 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
If you decide to arrange your scented geraniums in a container, make sure it is at least 12 inches in diameter and have adequate drainage. Plant in your chosen pot using a premium potting mix that drains properly, and treat the plants the same way you would if you were planting directly on the ground.
Scented Geranium Care
Scented geraniums thrive best on rich, well-drained soil that receives either full sun or partial shade. These easily grown plants thrive in sandy soil and dry weather, but they suffer in clay soil that is too damp.
Fragrant geraniums shouldn’t require any additional care as long as they are planted in well-drained pots with high-quality potting soil.
Soil and Water
Pelargonium prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil; they do not like acid soil. Water your scented geraniums every few days while they’re in bloom.
Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system that lets the water slowly seep through the soil, gives them a thorough and deep watering. Allowing the soil to dry out in between watering will prevent root rot.
When watering plants grown in containers, make sure the excess runs out of the pot and dispose of the drained water to keep the plant from getting too wet. Water the plant only until the top two inches of soil have stopped being dry.
Light
Scented-leaved geraniums, like other garden pelargonium, tolerate some shade but thrive in full sun. It could be helpful to have some afternoon shade in really warm places. Plants growing in shaded areas need to have their foliage frequently cut back to maintain a full appearance.
Temperature and Humidity
As fragrant geraniums are usually cultivated indoors, indoor growing conditions that are excellent for them are 60 to 75 degrees with a relative humidity of about 40%. When the temperature stays above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they thrive, and if it falls below that point, they can become dormant.
Pelargonium are not cold-tolerant, so prolonged exposure to extremely low temperatures will probably result in their death.
Fertilizer
Scented geraniums don’t require much fertilizer, though young plants could use a little more support. Give your plants a little dose of a water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer every two to three weeks if you wish to feed them gently throughout the growing season. In the winter, avoid fertilizing your pelargonium plants.
Pruning
Scented geraniums cultivated annually don’t require trimming, but you can remove dry leaves from the plant and deadhead spent blooms to help prevent rot and disease.
Geraniums with an overwintered scent can be taken back outdoors in the early spring after being pruned. Pruning for those grown in the ground or outside is possible in the late autumn. Either way, get rid of any dead leaves and cut off any unhealthy or woody branches.
It may be necessary to pinch plants sometimes at their growth tips to promote bushier growth because indoor plants tend to become lanky. It will therefore force the plant to produce more stems.
Propagation
While some varieties of scented-leaf geraniums can be produced from seed, most are hybrids that need to be purchased as nursery plants. There are usually a few reasonably priced plants in the herb section of nurseries. It’s also quite simple to propagate new plants using root cuttings. This is how it’s done:
- Trim 6-inch-long cuttings off the growing stems, leaving only the uppermost leaves.
- The cutting end should be soaked in rooting hormone before being inserted in a shallow container filled with damp vermiculite.
- Repot into a pot filled with potting mix that contains peat or directly into the garden; just remember to keep the vermiculite moist until a strong root system forms.
However, be advised that you are unable to propagate your plant in any way if it is a trademarked variety, which many are.
Potting and Repotting
It is best to repot scented geraniums only after they have formally outgrown their container because they prefer to be a little root-bound. When you do, choose one that is only slightly larger than the preceding pot.
Repotting pelargonium is best done in the spring. Before relocating yours, make sure the soil is moist. To prepare a larger container, spoon the fresh potting mix halfway into it. Carefully remove the scented geranium from its previous pot and trim back any stray stems or branches.
Place the plant in the new container after filling the root ball with more potting mix and securing it firmly. Tamp down the soil surrounding the roots. Dump the water that has drained after adding more until the surplus is gone.
How to Grow Scented-Leaved Geraniums from Seed
It is advisable to start inside in December if you want to produce your scented-leaved geraniums from seed.
- After distributing the seeds uniformly throughout a tray filled with seed-starting material, cover them with soil up to an eighth of an inch deep.
- To moisten the soil, lightly mist it, but avoid making it completely wet.
- Mist the soil often to keep it moist, and then place the tray in a warm, well-lit spot. Usually, it takes three weeks for the seeds to sprout.
Keep the seedlings in a warm, bright spot, and give them frequent mists to keep the soil from drying up. Make sure there is space between each seedling by thinning them as needed. When there is no longer a chance of a frost, you can plant the seedlings outdoors in your garden, either in the ground or in a pot.
Overwintering
Some gardeners manage to keep their potted geraniums with fragrant leaves through the winter, usually by bringing them inside and caring for them like a houseplant until springtime. However, many treat these delicate perennials like annuals, discarding them as soon as the winter’s chill kills them. If you attempt this, make sure the plant receives an abundance of bright light.
Potted geraniums can also be placed in a cool, dark position throughout the winter, where they will go dormant in their pots; however, outcomes with this method vary. Water sparingly every few days over the winter to keep the soil from drying up altogether.
When spring arrives, move the potted plants outside and give them plenty of water. However, it’s not surprising that some plants don’t emerge from hibernation.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Scent-leaved geraniums can attract whiteflies, which land on the underside of the leaves; however, pests rarely damage them. All you need to do is use insecticidal detergent or water to wash them away or brush them off.
Although the plant’s leaves give off a perfume, they can also harbour illnesses like Alternaria leaf spot, which causes the leaves to turn brown, yellow, or white.
Diseased geraniums need to be replaced because they cannot be saved. Geraniums with fragrant leaves are also susceptible to botrytis blight, popularly known as “grey mould,” which can kill the plants from the stem up to the bloom.
Common Problems with Scented-Leaved Geraniums
Scented-leaved geraniums usually don’t cause too much bother, but like any plant, they can occasionally cause problems.
Leaves Falling Off
While it’s common for plants to shed their older leaves, overwatering is most likely the cause if your scented geranium begins to lose its more recent leaves as well, particularly if they appear yellowed or mushy.
On occasion, though, you can salvage your plant by cutting out any mushy or charred roots, replacing some of the soggy soil with fresh, and watering it less.
Leggy Growth
Leggy growth, or long, spindly stems with few leaves, is one of the most typical problems with scented-leaved geraniums. Usually, this is brought on by inadequate sunshine.
If your plant is in a pot, move it to a spot where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. The early hours of the day are the best for avoiding burns in the hot spots.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Your plant may be experiencing yellowing leaves for several reasons, but overwatering is the most frequent one. In between watering, fragrant geraniums tend to become a little dry and can withstand mild dehydration.
Reduce the amount of water your plant receives and wait until the soil is completely dry before adding more to prevent yellowing.
FAQ
Is it possible to make potpourri using scented-leaved geraniums?
Cutting off healthy leaves and letting them dry in a paper bag for a week or so will allow you to continue to enjoy the delightful scent of your plants. Once dry, crumble the leaves into a mixture with other dried flower petals. You can use this to make a fragrant potpourri to present in a bowl or to stuff sachets.
How long are the leaves of fragrant geraniums alive?
These plants rarely last that long outside of their native South Africa, even though they can live for years there. Scented-leaved geraniums can persist for several years in moderate-winter areas or as houseplants. But once frost bites, the plant will perish in harsh winter regions. Most gardeners consider these plants to be annuals.
Are geraniums with fragrant leaves suitable for hanging baskets?
Of course! Many types trail beautifully and look great pouring over a hanging basket’s edge. Keep in mind that plants in hanging baskets frequently need more water and wind protection than potted plants on the ground.