How to Grow Scented Geranium and Whether It Is Toxic

Scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) gets its name because its leaves give off a faint fragrance. Growing scented geranium requires daily care in many aspects, including soil, light, water and fertilizer, so that it can produce beautiful flower clusters.

I. Uses of Scented Geranium

Scented geranium has two main uses: one is ornamental gardening, and the other is extracting essential oil.

Outdoors, scented geranium can be used to decorate gardens, flower beds, and so on; indoors, it can be grown as a potted plant to decorate living rooms, meeting venues and public places. In addition, it can also be sold as fresh cut flowers.

In terms of economic value, scented geranium oil can be extracted. Because it contains components such as geraniol, rose alcohol, citronellol and linalool, it can be used to replace rose oil. It can also be used to blend essences and perfumes, and as an additive in edible oils, toothpaste and soap to enhance their fragrant scent.

II. Is Scented Geranium Toxic?

1. Scented geranium essential oil is mainly formed from more than 30 kinds of terpenoid compounds and their derivatives. Its main components include geraniol, citronellol, linalool, citronellyl formate, geranyl formate and menthone, among others, and these components are all beneficial to the human body. Scented geranium essential oil can replace products such as rose essential oil, and can also be used as an additive in foods, soap, toothpaste, and so on, so it should not be toxic.

2. Scented geranium can be made into essential oil, and its products have a wide variety of effects on the human body. For example, it can regulate and balance skin secretion, and has significant therapeutic effects on conditions such as eczema, burns, shingles and chilblains. For skin that is pale and completely lacking in vitality, after using scented geranium essential oil it instead becomes rosy and full of vitality, so in this way, scented geranium is not toxic.

3. Scented geranium is called "little rose" by people. It is a tonic for body and mind, able to effectively calm anxiety, depression and other negative emotions, relieve psychological stress, and help people relax both body and mind. In addition, it can regulate human hormones, effectively relieve premenstrual syndrome and menopause problems, and can also strengthen the function of the human lymphatic system, remove toxins and enhance immunity.

4. Scented geranium is a romantic, sensual floral water, and is also an excellent care product for women's breast firming. It can also be used to adjust the indoor atmosphere, making people feel especially cheerful, and over time the body also gets better and better. However, it is only a perfume-making product, so it is best not to consume it as food.

III. Care Methods for Scented Geranium

1. Soil: Geranium requires fertile, well-drained soil. For potting soil, you can use 1/3 leaf mold, 1/3 rice husk ash and 1/3 garden soil, then add a small amount of superphosphate and mix evenly.

2. Watering: Geranium is drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging. Therefore, during growth, follow the principle: "do not water when dry, water thoroughly when watering, better dry than wet," and control water appropriately. Too much watering and excessive water content in the potting soil will cause leggy growth or root rot. In spring and autumn, when growth and flowering are vigorous, you can water a little more, but it should still be kept at a level that maintains moist potting soil. In winter, when temperatures are low and plant growth is slow, water as little as possible.

3. Light: Geranium originates from South Africa and likes sunny, warm, well-ventilated environmental conditions. In spring and early summer, when light is not too intense, the flowerpot can be placed in a spot with ample light so it receives sufficient sunlight, but in the hot seasons of midsummer and early autumn, it should be placed in shade and avoid direct strong light, otherwise the branches and leaves will be scorched.

4. Temperature: The suitable growing temperature is 15-25°C. It is not tolerant of high temperatures and grows poorly in summer.

5. Fertilizing: During cultivation, in addition to applying enough base fertilizer, during the growing season, especially at peak flowering, apply a thin liquid fertilizer once every 7-10 days. Diluting decomposed livestock and poultry manure with water is even better, and decomposed cake fertilizer water can also be used for watering. 3-5 days before fertilizing, water less or not at all; watering when the potting soil is on the dry side is more conducive to root absorption.

6. Pruning: To make the plant shape attractive and increase flowering, if the plant grows too vigorously in spring, branch thinning and pruning can be carried out. After flowering, promptly cut off faded flowers and overly dense branches. During the dormant period, prune once more, cutting off yellowed old leaves, thinning out overly dense branches, and shortening excessively long branches.

7. Pests and diseases: In addition, geranium itself has a special scent and is rarely attacked by pests. Therefore, no control is needed.

IV. Price of Scented Geranium

Scented geranium is a plant with relatively high cost-effectiveness to grow. If it is a seedling, it costs 1-2 yuan per plant; if it is a small potted scented geranium, the price is around 15-25 yuan per pot.

So, after reading the introduction above, is everyone clear about whether scented geranium is toxic and how to grow scented geranium? There are now many different kinds of rumors online, and just like the rumor that "scented geranium is toxic," many are not credible, so if you encounter problems, you should think it over carefully and then consult relevant professionals.

IV. Price of Scented Geranium

Scented geranium is a plant with relatively high cost-effectiveness to grow. If it is a seedling, it costs 1-2 yuan per plant; if it is a small potted scented geranium, the price is around 15-25 yuan per pot.

So, after reading the introduction above, is everyone clear about whether scented geranium is toxic and how to grow scented geranium? There are now many different kinds of rumors online, and just like the rumor that "scented geranium is toxic," many are not credible, so if you encounter problems, you should think it over carefully and then consult relevant professionals.