Practical
Plants

Pelargonium graveolens

Rose Geranium

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Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Edible uses

Flowers - raw. Added to salads[4]. The leaves are rose-scented and are used as a flavouring in desserts, jellies, vinegars etc[4][8]. The fresh leaves are brewed into a tea[4][8].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Flowers
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.

An aromatic, rose-scented herb, the whole plant has relaxant, anti-depressant and antiseptic effects, reduces inflammation and controls bleeding[8]. All parts of the plant are astringent[9]. It is used internally in the treatment of pre-menstrual and menopausal problems, nausea, tonsillitis and poor circulation[8]. Externally, it is used to treat acne, haemorrhoids, eczema, bruises, ringworm and lice[8]. The leaves can be used fresh at any time of the year[8]. The essential oil from the leaves is used in aromatherapy[8] and is also applied locally to cervical cancer[7].

Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aromatherapy
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Sedative

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant, it has an orange-rose fragrance[10][2][3]. This plant is the main constituent of geranium oil, which is used extensively in aromatherapy, skin care and as a food flavouring[8]. The leaves are used in pot-pourri[8].

Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
S. Africa.
Habitat
Near the Hex river in S.W. Cape province.
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[6]. 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[5][6]. 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[8]. The plants need to be kept fairly dry in the winter[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[8]. Cultivated for its essential oil in S. France and Spain[3], there are many named varieties[4][6].

References

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

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

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  3. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

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  8. 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↩10↩11

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

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

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