17 Geranium Facts: Learn All About This Scented Flower

Geraniums are low-maintenance flowering plants with vivid flowers that bloom from spring to October.

They add not only beautiful touches but also a fine aroma to meat dishes, salads, and desserts, thanks to the essential oils in their leaves. Rose-scented geraniums are used as flavoring agents.

Geranium essential oil is used to make artificial rose oil for perfumes. A small bit of fertilizer works nicely for these flowers. Every year, an estimated 40 million geraniums are planted in gardens across the United Kingdom, and these hardy, dependable plants can be enjoyed for three seasons.

Please continue reading to learn more about Geranium facts, including their classification and unique features.

Classification Of Geranium Plants

The Geranium Kingdom is an essential aspect in the taxonomy of plants regarding the scientific classification of plants from kingdom to species. Cranesbill, often known as geranium, is a herbaceous plant in the geranium family. Its classification is as follows:

Depending on the type, they can grow anywhere from 0.5 ft-4 ft tall (15.2-122 cm).

Geranium blooms come in various colors, including white, red, pink, purple, and blue. Geraniums can produce double blooms of some kind (flowers with two or more rows of extra petals). Flowers can have a strong aroma or be odorless.

Geranium leaves are elongated, palmately divided, and serrated on the margins. The majority of geranium species have green leaves.

Some cultivars produce leaves that are yellow, orange, or red in hue.

Habitat And Distribution Of Geranium Plants

Genus Geranium is 422 annual, biennial, and perennial plants.

They can be found worldwide in temperate climates and tropical mountains, although they are most common in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Geranium can be found in fields, woods, and mountains. It grows best in sunny locations with humus-rich soil.

The regal geranium, in particular, was grown as a houseplant.

From early spring to late fall, geraniums bloom. Flowers are a rich supply of nectar, which attracts pollinators such as bees, bumblebees, flies, and beetles.

Maintenance & Growth Of Geranium Plants

Water thoroughly after allowing the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. Water is considerably less in the winter, but don't allow the roots to dry up completely.

The plant thrives when allowed to go dormant throughout the winter months when they consume less water and don't grow as much.

Deadhead wasted blooms regularly to stimulate flowering. Pinch back the stems to encourage bushiness and reduce legginess.

Fertilize every two weeks or so during active growing months.

Geranium stem cuttings can be easily rooted in soil, coarse sand, water, perlite, or other rooting media.

Allow for some drying time between waterings for these plants, as they are prone to root rot in moist conditions.

Use a half-strength water-soluble fertilizer. Fertilize only while the plant is dormant in the winter. Re-pot geraniums in the spring to stimulate new growth or if they appear to require a refresh.

Features Of Geranium Plants

The flowers have a pleasant smell and act as the best insect repellent. Geraniums come in various scents like lemon aroma and orange aromas. Some of its features are listed below:

Geranium flowers are a wonderful source of essential oils that can be utilized to remove scars from the skin's surface.

Rose geraniums give puddings, cakes, jams, and candy a perfect touch. The essential oils in certain types of scented geraniums help alleviate depression and stress.

Geraniums are used to decorate interiors as well as balconies, patios, and gardens.
 

FAQs

What is special about geraniums?

They offer a punch of color to the garden all summer long, and their dense foliage adds texture. They act as natural insect repellents and are widely used in the aroma industry for their essential oils.

What are the benefits of geranium plants?

Geranium may have the power to relieve stress, reduce inflammation, enhance the immune system, ease digestion, and promote kidney, skin, and hair health, among other things. It may have antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities, allowing wounds to heal more quickly.

How many years can a geranium last?

A common geranium plant can survive for two years or longer if properly cared for.

How to care for zonal geranium?

It's simple to grow zonal geraniums. Except in the hottest sections of the country, where the plants benefit from a little afternoon shade, these blooming beauties thrive in full sun. Tuck zonal geraniums into well-drained soil that has been prepared with plenty of organic matter in planting beds.

Where do geraniums come from?

Geranium is a home-grown of South Africa, where there are more than 250 wild types. Geraniums were not introduced to Europe until the 17th century.

How poisonous is geranium?

Geraniums are non-toxic to humans and pets. Geraniol is a pungent chemical that is a primary ingredient in essential oils like citronella and rose oil.

Are geraniums edible?

Geraniums have edible flowers, and geranium leaves can be used in cooking.

When can you put geraniums outside?

After the final frost, geraniums should be planted or carried outside for the summer.

Where do geraniums grow best?

Geraniums require a lot of sunlight to flower, but a little shade is good in hotter climates.

Do geraniums come back each year?

Garden geraniums are considered annuals in all except the warmest parts of North America. However, by providing cover for the plants over the winter, you can compel them to become perennial plants.

Can geraniums survive frost?

Geraniums can withstand cooler temperatures and even mild frosts, but hard, deadly freezes, which occur when temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, are lethal and cause freeze damage and possibly death. The lowest temperature for geranium is -7 degrees Celsius.

Do geraniums need a lot of water?

Geraniums are low-maintenance plants. It is important to check the soil frequently for annual geraniums and water when the top inch is dry.

Where do geraniums grow outside?

Geraniums should be planted in the following locations. Geraniums can be cultivated in any type of garden soil, although they thrive in neutral or alkaline soil. In full light, plant in pots, hanging baskets, or flower beds.

Why are the leaves on my geraniums turning yellow?

Overwatering or too much moisture is the most typical cause of yellowing leaves. Geranium yellow leaves can also be caused by water or excessively chilly air temperatures.

This plant is a warm-weather plant that does not perform well in the cold. A disease might occasionally cause a geranium with yellow leaves. Verticillium, for example, is a fungus that causes stunted growth, withering, and brilliant yellow leaves.