Floral · Natural material · Top notes, Heart notes
Geranium
Geranium is a fragrant oil distilled from the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens, the plant known as rose geranium. It smells like a greener, sharper rose, with a touch of mint and lemon. In perfume, geranium usually sits in the heart notes and often shapes aromatic and floral perfumes.
· Written by the FRAG team
What does geranium smell like?
Geranium smells like crushed rose leaves: floral like rose, but greener, sharper and slightly minty. There is also a light lemony side and a faint metallic edge. Because it is less sweet than rose, geranium feels clean and neat.
Geranium's scent comes from its leaves. The leaves of Pelargonium graveolens contain citronellol and geraniol, two compounds also found in rose, which is why geranium and rose smell related. On skin, the green side comes first, then the rose side grows clearer.
Where does geranium come from?
Perfume geranium comes from Pelargonium graveolens and its relatives, plants native to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Despite the name, they belong to the genus Pelargonium, separate from true geraniums though still in the Geraniaceae family. The oil is distilled from the leaves.
On note lists you may see geranium bourbon. The name refers to Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, once called Île Bourbon and known for high-quality geranium oil. Today most of the world's geranium oil comes from Egypt and China.
Geranium in a perfume
Geranium almost always sits in the heart notes, and is often used to support rose, or as a fresher, greener stand-in for rose. Geranium is also important in aromatic perfumes with lavender, because its green side links herbs and flowers.
Common partners for geranium are bergamot in the opening, rose, lavender and mint in the heart, then patchouli in the base. Geranium with patchouli gives a darker floral feel. Geranium evaporates more slowly than the citrus in the opening but faster than the patchouli in the base, so its green rose feel is clearest in the middle.
When to wear a geranium perfume
Geranium suits daytime and work, especially in fresh aromatic perfumes. It is not sweet, so it is comfortable in hot weather. Paired with patchouli or woods, geranium also works in the late afternoon or evening in air-conditioned rooms.
