Practical
Plants

Pelargonium crispum

Lemon Geranium

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.7 m
Spread
0.3 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

The leaves have a pleasant lemon aroma[5]. They are crushed and used to flavour soups, fruit dishes, jellies, sorbets, ice-cream, cakes etc[2][5]. Cake pans can be lined with the leaves and the pastry will be infused with their essence[2]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a tea[5].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

All parts of the plant are astringent[8]. It can be harvested as required and used fresh[5].

Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young shoots. Strawberry and citral-scented[9], it is used in perfumery and soap making[10]. The leaves are dried for pot-pourri and for making herb pillows[5].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Pot-pourri

Environment

Range
S. Africa.
Habitat
Dry lower slopes in sandy soil amongst boulders in the south-west Cape[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Stored seed should be sown in early spring in a greenhouse. The seed germinates best with a minimum temperature of 13°c, germination usually taking place within 2 weeks though it sometimes takes some months[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. If trying them outdoors, plant them out in early summer and consider giving them extra protection during the winter. Cuttings succeed at almost any time in the growing season but early summer is the best time in order for the new plant to become established before winter.

Cultivation

Requires a light well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position[3][4]. Plants are tolerant of some shade[5]. In order to maintain their native habit, plants require fairly dry conditions in a very sunny position[7]. Plants are not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c[7]. They generally require greenhouse protection but might succeed outdoors when grown in a very sheltered warm spot in the mildest parts of the country[1]. They can also be grown in containers that are placed outdoors in the summer and then brought into the greenhouse or conservatory for the winter[5]. The plants need to be kept fairly dry in the winter[4]. The bruised leaves release a strong lemon scent, rather like lemon verbena[6]. Very tolerant of pruning, they can be cut right down to the base in the autumn when bringing them back indoors, or in the spring to encourage lots of fresh growth[5]. A number of named varieties have been selected for their ornamental and/or culinary value[2][5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  6. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

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  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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