Common Name: Rose Geranium

General Information

Pelargonium graveolens is a strongly aromatic, evergreen shrub. The shoots, which are woody at the base but becoming softer towards the tips, are 1 - 3 metres tall[].
The plant is used as a flavouring in foods, medicinally and as the source of an essential oil. It is often cultivated from the warm temperate to tropical regions of the world, both as an ornamental and also for its essential oil[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern Africa - Western Cape and Limpopo Province, north to Zimbabwe.

Habitat

Grows on the mountains, in sheltered positions such as kloofs, usually in relatively moist habitats[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pelargonium graveolens is a plant mainly from subtropical climates in southern Africa. It is not very frost-hardy, tolerating short periods with a few degrees of frost. When grown in the temperate zone, plants generally require greenhouse protection in the winter but they might succeed outdoors when grown in a very sheltered warm spot in the milder regions[]. Plants can also be grown in containers that are placed outdoors in the summer and then brought into the greenhouse or conservatory for the winter[]. The plants need to be kept fairly dry in the winter[].
Requires a light well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position[, ].
Very tolerant of pruning, plants can be cut right down to the base in the autumn when bringing them back indoors, or in the spring in order to encourage lots of fresh growth[].
There are many named varieties[, ].

Edible Uses

Flowers - raw. Added to salads[].

The leaves are rose-scented and are used as a flavouring in desserts, jellies, vinegars etc[, ].

The fresh leaves are brewed into a tea[, ].

Medicinal

An aromatic, rose-scented herb, the whole plant has relaxant, anti-depressant and antiseptic effects, reduces inflammation and controls bleeding[]. All parts of the plant are astringent[]. It is used internally in the treatment of pre-menstrual and menopausal problems, nausea, tonsillitis and poor circulation[]. It is used to treat nervous complaints, colic, and discomfort in the abdomen and bowels[].
Externally, it is used to treat acne, haemorrhoids, eczema, bruises, ringworm and lice[]. The leaves can be used fresh at any time of the year[].

The essential oil is antifungal and has marginal antitumour activity[].

The essential oil from the leaves is used in aromatherapy[] and is also applied locally to cervical cancer[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant, it has an orange-rose fragrance[, , ]. This plant is the main constituent of geranium oil, which is used extensively in aromatherapy, skin care, cosmetics and as a food flavouring[]. The oil is also used as a substitute for the expensive attar of roses in the perfume trade[, ].
The oil has shown antifungal activity[].
Oil produced from planst grown in the temperate region at high elevations is rich in menthone, citronellol, nerol and geraniol; while the oil produced from the plants grown at lower elevations is rich in isomenthone, linalool and citronellyl formate[].

The leaves are used in potpourri[].

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[]. 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.