Geranium

Geranium Care

Pelargonium graveolens

What is the plant

Pelargonium graveolens is an uncommon Pelargonium species native to the South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Common names include rose geranium, sweet scented geranium, old fashion rose geranium, and rose-scent geranium.

Pelargonium graveolens is an erect, multi-branched shrub, that grows up to 1.5 m and has a spread of 1 m. The leaves are deeply incised, velvety and soft to the touch (due to glandular hairs). The flowers vary from pale pink to almost white and the plant flowers from August to January. The leaves may be strongly rose-scented, although the leaf shape and scent vary. Some plants are very strongly scented and others have little or no scent. Pelargonium distillates and absolutes, commonly known as "geranium oil", are sold for aromatherapy and massage therapy applications.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

min 10a

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Watering potted geraniums as a general rule, potted plants require more frequent watering. So water as soon as a top 2.5 cm (1 inch) of a soil gets dry to a touch. Allow a soil to dry completely between watering, then water thoroughly.
Pruning
Prune branches back to a natural fork to avoid leaving unsightly stubs. Cuts bleed if pruned in late winter or early spring so pruning should only be done between mid-summer and early autumn.
Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizers are applied more frequently, bi-weekly or monthly, for example. Granular products are used less frequently, perhaps once every month or two. Slow-release houseplant fertilizers break down slowly and release their nutrients in small amounts, over a longer period of time. A single application of most of these products lasts for three to four months.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Semi-shade – this plant needs a lot of sunlight, but it has to be protected from the strongest rays of the sun.
Soil
Loam contains a proportion of 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay.
Temperature
Cool nights (55-60°F/13-16°C) and warm days (65-75°F/18-24°C) will trigger flower buds. The plant has to be brought indoors when the temperature drops below 50°F/10°C.

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Container
Choose a pot that is 2.5-5.08 cm (1-2”) larger than the current size.
Popularity
9,744 people already have this plant 1,275 people have added this plant to their wishlists