Practical
Plants

Pelargonium fragrans

Nutmeg Geranium

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Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Edible uses

The crushed leaves are used to flavour jellies, cakes, fruit dishes, vinegars etc[3]. They give a spicy flavour to coffee[6].

Product or use
Condiment

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[7]. The leaves are used externally as a rub for aching feet or legs[6]. They can be harvested as required and used fresh[6].

Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant. It has a nutmeg fragrance[1][8][2]. The dried leaves are added to pot-pourri[6].

Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
S. Africa.
Habitat
A naturally occurring hybrid, P. exstipulatum. x P. odoratissimum, found in the highlands of the Karoo[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no 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[5]. 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[4][5]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, 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[6]. The plants need to be kept fairly dry in the winter[5]. 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[6]. The leaves have a strong scent of pine[4]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[6].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. RHS. The Garden. Volume 111. Royal Horticultural Society 1986-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. 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

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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