If you want to find your own signature scent, you may have to try a few different floral scents before you find the one you love best. Actually, it’s not always easy to tell one flower scent from another, even when it comes to classics like rose and orange blossom.
That’s why this guide will talk about geranium’s smell. Geranium is a bright flower scent that has been used in perfumery for a long time. Following that, we will talk about scents that go well with geranium so you can make your own unique spring scent.
We need to take a close look at where geranium essential oil comes from and how it has been used in perfumery in the past before we can talk about its complex scent.
There are over one hundred species of geraniums, which could be why you don’t have a good idea of what they look like. The flowering plants are known for having leaves with two-toned or purple spots that range in color from reddish-orange to light pink and white.
The geranium plant comes from South Africa, doesn’t need much care, and can grow up to two or three feet tall. There are many kinds of geraniums, but the one that is most often used in perfumes is Pelargonium graveolens, which is also called rose geranium.
The leaves and stems of the geranium plant give it its smell. They are turned into oils through a process called steam distillation. After that, these oils are mixed with oils from other plants, like bergamot and vetiver, to make scents that are complex and smell great.
Fun fact: Along with its use in different fragrances, geranium is also used in cooking. Fewer chefs would be afraid to use geranium in soups, stews, baked goods, salads, or just to add some color to a bowl of soup or stew. If the smell of geranium makes you go crazy, you can find it in teas and skin care products.
It’s not certain, but historians think that the ancient Egyptians used geraniums for aromatherapy, medicine, and beauty products. They were also beloved by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
In the Renaissance era, geraniums became wildly popular in Europe. They became so popular that people called them the “poor man’s rose” because they were just as pretty as roses but cost less.
The sweet, floral aroma of geraniums is unmistakable. But describing exactly what geraniums smell like can be challenging. The scent is complex, evocative and unique among flowers. Let’s explore the tantalizing fragrance of geraniums and how to best capture their lovely smell.
The Allure of Geraniums
With dainty flowers blooming in shades of pink, purple, red and white, geraniums have long been treasured garden plants. Available in over 400 species, these beauties originated in South Africa and boast attractive, often fragrant foliage as well.
But it’s the memorable fragrance that makes geraniums truly captivating. The essential oil has been used in perfumes for centuries. In aromatherapy geranium oil promotes relaxation. And the scent is popular in candles room sprays and other home fragrances.
Decoding the Scent of Geraniums
So what exactly does this beloved flower smell like? Ask 10 different people and you may get 10 different responses! Here are some of the most common descriptions of the geranium scent:
- Sweet and floral
- Rosy
- Minty
- Herbaceous
- Citrusy or tangy
- Earthy
- Fruity – like oranges, apples, strawberries
- Green and fresh
The smell can vary slightly depending on the geranium variety. Rose-scented geraniums have the most traditional floral rose fragrance. Lemon geraniums offer a lighter citrus scent. Peppermint geraniums provide an invigorating minty aroma.
But most share a blend of rosy, fruity, minty notes – sometimes called a “mint-rose” scent. It’s a clean, bright smell that evokes fresh flowers and summer gardens.
What Makes Geraniums Smell So Lovely?
The main chemical components that give geraniums their signature scent are:
- Citronellol – Sweet, rosy, floral
- Geraniol – Sweet, aromatic, rosy
- Linalool – Floral, slightly spicy
- Menthone – Fresh, minty
These and other aromatic compounds are concentrated in tiny glands on the geranium leaves which release the scent when brushed or crushed. The flowers also contain these fragrant oils.
Different ratios of the key chemicals result in different smelling geranium varieties. Soil conditions, sunlight and other factors also affect the scent.
Experiencing the Scent First-Hand
To best appreciate the geranium fragrance, you need to experience it for yourself! Here are ways to enjoy the lovely aroma:
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Stroke leaves or flowers between your fingers – they’ll release a burst of scent.
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Snip a few leaves or blooms and smell them up close.
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Rub the leaves and then smell your hand to detect the lingering fragrance.
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Crush leaves and put under your nose for an intense aroma.
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Place cuttings around your home in vases.
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Make geranium tea by steeping leaves in hot water.
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Look for geranium essential oil or scented geranium products like candles, soaps and beauty items.
Pairing Geraniums with Other Fragrances
The clean, uplifting scent of geranium beautifully complements other botanical fragrances. Blending geranium with these aromas results in well-balanced, inviting scents:
- Citrus – orange, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot
- Herbs – basil, lavender, rosemary, sage
- Spices – cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger
- Trees – cedar, cypress, pine
- Tropical – coconut, mango, passionfruit, pineapple
In candles, room sprays and aromatherapy blends, geranium’s sweet floral aromabrightens other notes while adding an herbaceous touch.
The Changing Scent of Geraniums
One thing to note is that geraniums’ smell can change as the plant matures.
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Young plants and new growth often have the freshest, clearest scent.
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Leaves may become less fragrant as a geranium ages. Blooms tend to stay fragrant.
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Scent is stronger on sunny days versus cool, cloudy weather.
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Morning and daylight hours produce the strongest aroma.
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Water stress and dry soil can reduce the scent.
So enjoy geraniums’ fragrance from spring through fall when plants are happiest!
Why Some Dislike the Geranium Scent
While most people find the smell of geraniums pleasant, others describe it as pungent or unpleasant. There are a few reasons why some may not appreciate the scent:
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To some noses, the smell is too sweet or rosy. The floral aroma is cloying rather than fresh.
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Certain chemical components have a skunky or stale odor for those sensitive to them.
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The scent is very strong up close. Rubbing leaves releases an intense aroma.
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Essential oils and fragranced products have much higher concentrations of scent compounds than the live plants. This can be overpowering to some.
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Different people perceive scents differently based on their olfactory senses. What is heavenly to some may be distasteful to others.
So while the majority find the geranium fragrance pleasant, personal body chemistry and scent preferences explain why a few are not fond of the smell.
Enhancing Your Surroundings with Geraniums
With their attractive flowers and delightful mint-rose scent, it’s easy to see why geraniums are garden favorites worldwide. Whether you enjoy their aroma up close or mingling on the breeze, geraniums’ fragrance is undeniably intriguing. Let their sweet perfume enhance your indoor and outdoor spaces this growing season.
What Does Geranium Smell Like?
This section breaks down the smell of this floral perfume into three main parts so you can get a good idea of what it smells like.
Even though it may seem like a given, geranium is a flowery scent. Geranium smells similar to rose, but it’s slightly more aromatic. Geranium is also often compared to citronella because it leans a little bit citrusy as well.
Because geranium smells a bit like rose but not as sweet, you may hear it called a “masculine” flower scent. But at Snif, we think that all scents are good for everyone.
Another defining characteristic of geranium is its undeniable freshness. Given that geranium has a lemony twist, it is a bright and refreshing fragrance. Along with the slight lemon scent, geranium is also minty which only adds to the freshness. The scent of rose, lemon, and peppermint in geranium is like opening a window on a spring day. It’s fresh and energizing.
There is a bit of a soapy smell to geranium that keeps its citrusy, bright scent from being too strong. Geranium’s soapy smell makes it more pleasant, and it’s perfect for adding to soaps, lotions, or fragrances that make you feel “fresh.”
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