South African shrubby pelargonium with deeply cut grey-green leaves that release a strong rose fragrance when brushed. The principal commercial source of geranium essential oil.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 9–11 | −6.7 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H2 | 1 °C to 5 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 3–6 | −5 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Native to South Africa — grown commercially in Reunion, Egypt and China for essential oil distillation
- Edible leaves — used to flavour sugar, ice cream, jellies, and pound cake; a single leaf in a sponge cake transfers rose flavour to the whole cake
- Distinct from true geraniums (Geranium spp.) — Pelargonium is a separate genus despite the common name "geranium"
- Frost-tender — overwinter as a houseplant outside zone 9
- Not reliably hardy outdoors in Canada — Canadian zone values shown represent the system maximum and do not imply garden cultivation north of the warmest coastal pockets.
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Rose geranium (Sweet-scented pelargonium) against your zones