The Variations of Tender Geranium Leaves

Depending on where you live and what flowers you know, the word geranium may bring to mind a whole host of different sorts of plants. There are the two varieties of geranium to choose from, the true (or ‘hardy’) geranium and the tender geranium—which, technically speaking, isn’t a true geranium at all! But as is often the case in botany, this etymological mix-up stuck. If you hear someone talking about the gorgeous scent of geranium leaves, it’s likely going to be the tender variety of the plant as opposed to the hardier true geranium native to the UK itself.

If you happen to find yourself caring for the tender variety, you may not enjoy them for long. They thrive in tropical, sunny climates with mild winters. They’re the kind of flower you’d associate with a beautiful tropical holiday along the sunny coast. That being said, British gardeners have long been stubborn enough to bring these geraniums to their gardens and windowsills, and a number of these geraniums established themselves during the Victorian era. Tender geraniums were especially popular in pleasure gardens and bouquets, and came to symbolise everything from romance to protection to purity—depending on the colour of the flower itself.

You’ll find that the tender geraniums (also called pelargoniums) have an absolutely gorgeous fragrance. The most traditional scent is something similar to a classic rose, but a touch less powdery or sweet. But also like a rose, geranium leaves can enjoy a wide variety of different fragrances, from coconut to vanilla to citrus. No matter your personal taste, you’re likely to find a geranium to suit you.

Interestingly, the flowers themselves aren’t actually the source of their aroma. It’s the geranium leaves themselves. Most flowers generate scent in order to attract pollination, but plants with scented leaves are actually generating those essential oils to protect themselves from nibbling insects. For this reason, they’re resistant and even repellant to many pests, and can be a fantastic addition to the garden for this very reason.

If you want to bring this fragrance into your home, though, a scented candle or a reed diffuser will definitely do the trick. Here at Wild Ethos, we strive to capture the natural essence of the countryside for your home space. Geranium leaves are an incredible and often underappreciated scent, given that it is a trickier addition to the garden, but you can bring this lovely ambiance into your space to enjoy.