From our perspective, your home is a foreign land. We, the Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.), originate from South Africa and thrive in conditions that mimic our native habitat. We require abundant, bright, indirect light for at least 6-8 hours daily. A south or west-facing window is ideal. Without it, our stems become leggy as we stretch desperately towards the light, and our fragrant oil production diminishes significantly. Please avoid placing us in drafty areas or directly next to heat sources, as sudden temperature fluctuations cause us stress.
Our relationship with water is delicate. We prefer to dry out slightly between waterings. Please insert your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle; if it feels dry, it is time for a thorough, deep drink. Ensure the excess water drains away completely, as we absolutely despise "wet feet." Soggy soil suffocates our roots, leading to rot and our eventual demise. During our active growing season (spring and summer), a diluted, balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks provides the nutrients we need to produce lush foliage. In our winter dormancy period, we require rest, so please withhold fertilizer.
Your pruning shears are not a threat but a tool for mutual benefit. Regularly pinching back our growing tips encourages us to become bushier and more compact, preventing a sparse appearance. Always remove any yellowing or dead leaves promptly; this helps us conserve energy for healthy new growth and deters pests. Most importantly, you must deadhead our spent flower heads. This signals to us that we should focus our energy on producing more vibrant leaves—the source of our cherished scent—rather than on seed production.
Our defining feature is the aromatic oil stored in tiny glands on our leaves. This scent is our natural defense mechanism against grazing animals and pests. For you, this trait is our greatest gift. The mere act of brushing against our foliage releases a burst of fragrance—be it rose, lemon, mint, or cinnamon—effectively making us a living air freshener. This is our primary purpose indoors. Unlike our cousin, the flowering geranium, we are not primarily grown for our modest blooms but for this fragrant, textural foliage that engages the senses up close.
We are eager to multiply. The easiest method for you, and the one most natural to us, is stem propagation. Taking a 3-4 inch cutting from a healthy stem, removing the lower leaves, and placing it in water or moist soil allows us to generate new roots and create a genetically identical clone. This is not merely a means for you to acquire more plants; it is our way of ensuring our lineage continues, especially before the main plant becomes too woody or leggy. It is our biological imperative to thrive and spread.
