It transforms your little green kingdom into an opulent scented and changing garden. These are the pretty leaves that emit an intoxicating scent when touched, rained or windy. The following answers to frequently asked questions show how to properly cultivate scented pelargonium.
What is the best way to care for scented geraniums?
Scented geraniums require a sunny location, moderate watering, regular fertilization from April to August and pruning before overwintering. In winter they should be kept bright and frost-free at 5-10 degrees Celsius. Wilted flowers and withered leaves should be removed regularly.
Planting fragrant geranium correctly
The departure of the Ice Saints in mid-May sends hobby gardeners into a frenzy of activity, as the planting season for a variety of summer flowers begins, such as the captivating fragrant pelargonium. The sun worshiper is planted in no time, because the procedure goes like this:
- Soak the still potted root ball in water for 20-30 minutes
- Meanwhile, dig a small pit in the sunny spot with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
- Enrich the excavation with sifted compost and horn shavings
- Unpot the scented pelargonium and plant it in the middle up to the bottom pair of leaves
The planting process is the same in pots and balcony boxes. Additionally, add some pottery shards or pebbles between the substrate and the water drain as drainage.
Care tips
The uncomplicated care program enables even beginners to score points with a scented pelargonium. Successful cultivation rests on these pillars:
- Watering moderately with alternately moist soil and drying periods in between
- Fertilize every 2 weeks from April to August
- Clean out wilted and faded things regularly
- Before the first frost, cut back to 10 cm and put away
Geraniums spend the winter in a bright location at temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. Only water enough to ensure that the root ball does not come under drought stress. Stop fertilizing completely until April.read more
Which location is suitable?
The scented pelargonium is one of the sun worshipers in the garden. A delicate hair coat protects the plant from sunburn. Therefore, plant geraniums in locations that are as sunny as possible, warm and surrounded by air. The more hours of sunshine the plant can get, the more lush the flowers and the more aromatic the scent. The aroma artist does not place any significant demands on the quality of the soil, as it thrives in any good garden soil that is nutritious, humus-rich, slightly calcareous and well-drained.
What soil does the plant need?
Scented pelargonium shows off its aesthetic and sensual strengths when it is given this soil quality:
- Nutritious, humus-rich, fresh soil
- First-class water drainage, without the risk of waterlogging
- Preferably slightly calcareous
In the pot and balcony box, the scented geranium does its best in structurally stable potting soil with a low peat content, optimized with a little sand or lava granules.
What is the best time to plant?
A scented pelargonium has no resistance to frosty temperatures. This results in a recommended planting time from mid-May to the end of June. At least the ice saints should have said goodbye before the African scent queen moves into the wild. If you want to be on the safe side, wait for the cold weather at the beginning of June.
When is flowering time?
The flowering period of a scented pelargonium extends from May to September under normal weather conditions. In mild winter years, fragrant geraniums were even seen blooming in sheltered locations on Christmas Eve. As long as it doesn't freeze, the plant fulfills its tasks in the scented and changing garden without ceasing. The top priority is to regularly cut back withered flowers and withered leaves.
Cut scented geranium correctly
Regular pruning contributes significantly to the vitality of a scented pelargonium, so that the abundance of flowers and aroma fulfill the hopes set. How to prune a scented geranium professionally:
- Pick young plants once or twice for bushy growth
- Cut out wilted flowers and withered leaves repeatedly
- Before clearing away, shorten all shoots to 10-15 cm
Shortly before an overwintered pelargonium moves into the garden and onto the summer balcony, cut off shoots that are too long to a length of 10 cm. At least two leaf nodes per shoot must remain on the plant so that it sprouts again.
Watering scented geranium
Equipped by Mother Nature with delicate hair to protect against evaporation, the scented pelargonium knows how to cope excellently with short-term dryness. In contrast, waterlogging causes life-threatening problems. Therefore, water the scented geranium moderately. Watering is only carried out when the substrate surface has dried to a depth of 2 cm. This is less common in beds than in pots or balcony boxes.
Fertilize scented geranium properly
In order for a scented pelargonium to produce its captivating scent and pretty flowers, it depends on a regular supply of nutrients. How to fertilize the African beauty as needed:
- From May to August, fertilize the bed organically every 14 days with compost and horn shavings
- In the planter, fertilize liquidly every 2 weeks with a preparation for flowering plants (€9.00 on Amazon)
- Do not apply fertilizer from September to April
Wintering
Native to the warm, sun-drenched regions of South Africa, the scented pelargonium cannot tolerate frost. Cultivation over several years is still possible if you overwinter the plant like this:
- Before the first frost, remove all leaves and shorten the shoots by up to two thirds
- Leave at least 2 leaf nodes on the scented pelargonium at a height of 10-15 cm
- Remove the plant from the container to carefully shake off the used soil
- Place in a flower box or box in a mix of potting soil and sand
- Set up in a bright, cool location at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius
During the winter, only water enough to prevent the soil from drying out. The scented pelargonium does not receive any fertilizer. From the end of April, gradually increase the amount of water, fertilize in diluted concentrations and gradually accustom the plants to higher temperatures and sunlight. The overwintered geraniums can be cleared out in mid-May.
Propagate scented geranium
If you have grown particularly fond of a scented pelargonium, simply grow offspring with exactly the same attributes. This can be achieved with the help of cuttings during the months of June and July. How to proceed:
- Cut non-flowering head cuttings with a length of 10-15 cm
- Defoliate every shoot in the lower part except for two pairs of leaves at the top
- Fill small pots with lean substrate in order to plant 1-2 cuttings in each two-thirds
Keep slightly moist in a bright, not full-sun location until the cultivation container has rooted. Then replant your pupils in normal potting soil to look after them on the sunny windowsill until next May, like an adult scented pelargonium.read more
Scented geranium does not bloom
If a scented pelargonium refuses to bloom, the following reasons are behind the deficiency:
- Cut too little or too much: Clean out regularly and shorten to a maximum of 10 cm in autumn
- Drought stress or waterlogging: Water moderately when the substrate has dried out
- Nutrient deficiency: Fertilize organically every 2 weeks from April/May to August
- Frost damage: Do not plant before mid-May and put away before the first frost
Although the focus of a scented pelargonium is on the leaves from which the aroma emanates, nitrogen-based fertilization should still be avoided. Although this promotes the growth of the foliage, this comes at the expense of a lush abundance of flowers. You can avoid this problem with organic fertilizer.read more
Beautiful varieties
- Mable Gray: Pink flowers with a deep red heart and a lemony scent, suitable as a mosquito shocker; Growth height 90 cm
- Plum Rambler: Rose-budded premium variety with cherry-red flowers and a delicate rose scent; Growth height 60-80 cm
- White Unique: Impresses with white-pink flowers and a sweet, spicy scent; Growth height 80-90 cm
- Pink Champagne: Seduces with a wonderful ginger scent and bright pink flowers; Growth height 40 cm
- Peach Cream: Magnificent specimen with green-yellow variegated foliage, pink flowers and peach scent; Growth height 30 cm
