287 Species in Genus Pelargonium

Pelargonium: A World of Scented Leaves and Vibrant Blooms

I’ve always been drawn to the vibrant colors and unique scents of geraniums. But did you know that the “geraniums” we commonly see in gardens and window boxes aren’t actually true geraniums? They belong to the genus Pelargonium from the Geraniaceae family, a fascinating group of plants native to South Africa and Australia. As an avid gardener and plant enthusiast, I, Ferb Vu, am excited to share my knowledge and passion for these beautiful and diverse plants.

A Diverse Genus

The genus Pelargonium encompasses a vast array of species, each with its own unique characteristics. From the familiar zonal geraniums with their rounded leaves and vibrant flower clusters to the trailing ivy geraniums and the fragrant scented geraniums, there’s a Pelargonium to suit every taste and garden style.

1. Pelargonium abrotanifolium (L.f.) Jacq.
2. Pelargonium acetosum (L.) L’Hér.
3. Pelargonium aciculatum E.M.Marais
4. Pelargonium acraeum R.A.Dyer
5. Pelargonium adriaanii M.Becker & F.Albers
6. Pelargonium aestivale E.M.Marais
7. Pelargonium afrum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud.
8. Pelargonium albersii M.Becker
9. Pelargonium album J.J.A.van der Walt
10. Pelargonium alchemilloides (L.) L’Hér.
11. Pelargonium alpinum Eckl. & Zeyh.
12. Pelargonium alternans J.C.Wendl.
13. Pelargonium althaeoides (L.) L’Hér.
14. Pelargonium anauris M.Becker & F.Albers
15. Pelargonium anethifolium (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud.
16. Pelargonium angustipetalum E.M.Marais
17. Pelargonium antidysentericum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kostel.
18. Pelargonium apetalum P.Taylor
19. Pelargonium appendiculatum (L.f.) Willd.
20. Pelargonium aridicola E.M.Marais
21. Pelargonium aridum R.A.Dyer
22. Pelargonium aristatum (Sweet) G.Don
23. Pelargonium artemisiifolium DC.
24. Pelargonium arthriticum R.T.F.Clifton
25. Pelargonium articulatum Willd.
26. Pelargonium asarifolium (Sweet) G.Don
27. Pelargonium attenuatum Harv.
28. Pelargonium auritum Willd.
29. Pelargonium australe Willd.
30. Pelargonium barklyi Scott Elliot
31. Pelargonium betulinum (L.) L’Hér.
32. Pelargonium bicolor (Jacq.) L’Hér.
33. Pelargonium bifolium (Burm.f.) Willd.
34. Pelargonium boranense Friis & M.G.Gilbert
35. Pelargonium bowkeri Harv.
36. Pelargonium brevipetalum N.E.Br.
37. Pelargonium brevirostre E.Mey. ex R.Knuth
38. Pelargonium bubonifolium (Andrews) Pers.
39. Pelargonium burgerianum J.J.A.van der Walt
40. Pelargonium burtoniae L.Bolus
41. Pelargonium caespitosum Turcz.
42. Pelargonium caledonicum L.Bolus
43. Pelargonium calviniae R.Knuth
44. Pelargonium campestre (Eckl. & Zeyh.) F.Dietr.
45. Pelargonium candicans Spreng.
46. Pelargonium capillare (Cav.) Willd.
47. Pelargonium capitatum (L.) L’Hér.
48. Pelargonium capituliforme R.Knuth
49. Pelargonium carneum Jacq.
50. Pelargonium carnosum (L.) L’Hér.
51. Pelargonium caroli-henrici B.Nord.
52. Pelargonium caucalifolium Jacq.
53. Pelargonium caylae Humbert
54. Pelargonium ceratophyllum L’Hér.
55. Pelargonium chelidonium (Houtt.) DC.
56. Pelargonium christophoranum Verdc.
57. Pelargonium citronellum J.J.A.van der Walt
58. Pelargonium columbinum Jacq.
59. Pelargonium confertum E.M.Marais
60. Pelargonium connivens E.M.Marais
61. Pelargonium conradieae J.C.Manning & A.le Roux
62. Pelargonium cordifolium (Cav.) Curtis
63. Pelargonium coronopifolium Jacq.
64. Pelargonium cortusifolium L’Hér.
65. Pelargonium cotyledonis (L.) L’Hér.
66. Pelargonium crassicaule L’Hér.
67. Pelargonium crassipes Harv.
68. Pelargonium crispum (P.J.Bergius) L’Hér.
69. Pelargonium crithmifolium Sm.
70. Pelargonium cucullatum (L.) L’Hér.
71. Pelargonium curviandrum E.M.Marais
72. Pelargonium dasyphyllum E.Mey. ex R.Knuth
73. Pelargonium denticulatum Jacq.
74. Pelargonium desertorum Vorster
75. Pelargonium dichondrifolium DC.
76. Pelargonium dipetalum L’Hér.
77. Pelargonium dispar N.E.Br.
78. Pelargonium dolomiticum R.Knuth
79. Pelargonium drummondii Turcz.
80. Pelargonium echinatum Curtis
81. Pelargonium elandsmontanum E.M.Marais ex J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
82. Pelargonium elegans (Andrews) Willd.
83. Pelargonium ellaphieae E.M.Marais
84. Pelargonium elongatum (Cav.) Salisb.
85. Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl
86. Pelargonium englerianum R.Knuth
87. Pelargonium erlangerianum Engl. ex R.Knuth
88. Pelargonium eupatoriifolium (Eckl. & Zeyh.) F.Dietr.
89. Pelargonium exhibens Vorster
90. Pelargonium exstipulatum (Cav.) L’Hér.
91. Pelargonium fasciculaceum E.M.Marais
92. Pelargonium fergusoniae L.Bolus
93. Pelargonium fissifolium (Andrews) Pers.
94. Pelargonium flabelliforme E.M.Marais
95. Pelargonium flavidum E.M.Marais
96. Pelargonium flavipetalum E.M.Marais
97. Pelargonium frutetorum R.A.Dyer
98. Pelargonium fruticosum (Cav.) Willd.
99. Pelargonium fulgidum (L.) L’Hér.
100. Pelargonium fumariifolium R.Knuth
101. Pelargonium gibbosum (L.) L’Hér.
102. Pelargonium gilgianum Schltr. ex R.Knuth
103. Pelargonium githagineum E.M.Marais
104. Pelargonium glabriphyllum E.M.Marais
105. Pelargonium glechomoides A.Rich.
106. Pelargonium glutinosum (Jacq.) L’Hér.
107. Pelargonium gracile (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud.
108. Pelargonium gracilipes R.Knuth
109. Pelargonium gracillimum Fourc.
110. Pelargonium grandicalcaratum R.Knuth
111. Pelargonium grandiflorum Willd. Plant FAQs: Pelargonium Grandiflorum – Regal Pelargonium
112. Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér. Plant FAQs: Pelargonium Graveolens
113. Pelargonium grenvillei (Andrews) Harv.
114. Pelargonium greytonense J.J.A.van der Walt
115. Pelargonium griseum R.Knuth
116. Pelargonium grossularioides (L.) L’Hér.
117. Pelargonium hammansbergense E.M.Marais & A.le Roux
118. Pelargonium hantamianum R.Knuth
119. Pelargonium hararense Engl. ex R.Knuth
120. Pelargonium havlasae Domin
121. Pelargonium helmsii Carolin
122. Pelargonium hemicyclicum Hutch. & C.A.Sm.
123. Pelargonium hermanniifolium (P.J.Bergius) Jacq.
124. Pelargonium hermansdorpense R.Knuth
125. Pelargonium heterophyllum Jacq.
126. Pelargonium hirtipetalum E.M.Marais
127. Pelargonium hirtum (Burm.f.) Jacq.
128. Pelargonium hispidum (L.f.) Willd.
129. Pelargonium hypoleucum Turcz.
130. Pelargonium hystrix Harv.
131. Pelargonium incarnatum (L.) Moench
132. Pelargonium incrassatum (Andrews) Sims
133. Pelargonium inodorum Willd.
134. Pelargonium inquinans (L.) L’Hér. Plant FAQs: Pelargonium Inquinans – Scarlet Geranium
135. Pelargonium insularis Gibby & A.G.Mill.
136. Pelargonium ionidiflorum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) F.Dietr.
137. Pelargonium karooicum Compton & P.E.Barnes
138. Pelargonium keeromsbergense M.Becker & F.Albers
139. Pelargonium klinghardtense R.Knuth
140. Pelargonium ladysmithianum R.Knuth
141. Pelargonium laevigatum (L.f.) Willd.
142. Pelargonium lanceolatum (Cav.) J.Kern
143. Pelargonium laxum (Sweet) G.Don
144. Pelargonium leipoldtii R.Knuth
145. Pelargonium leptum L.Bolus
146. Pelargonium littorale Hügel
147. Pelargonium lobatum (Burm.f.) L’Hér.
148. Pelargonium longicaule Jacq.
149. Pelargonium longiflorum Jacq.
150. Pelargonium longifolium (Burm.f.) Jacq.
151. Pelargonium luridum (Andrews) Sweet
152. Pelargonium luteolum N.E.Br.
153. Pelargonium luteopetalum E.M.Marais
154. Pelargonium luteum (Andrews) Sm.
155. Pelargonium madagascariense Baker
156. Pelargonium magenteum J.J.A.van der Walt
157. Pelargonium malacoides R.Knuth
158. Pelargonium minimum (Cav.) Willd.
159. Pelargonium mollicomum Fourc.
160. Pelargonium moniliforme E.Mey. ex Harv.
161. Pelargonium montaguense E.M.Marais
162. Pelargonium mossambicense Engl.
163. Pelargonium multibracteatum Hochst. ex A.Rich.
164. Pelargonium multicaule Jacq.
165. Pelargonium multiradiatum J.C.Wendl.
166. Pelargonium mutans Vorster
167. Pelargonium myrrhifolium (L.) L’Hér.
168. Pelargonium nanum L’Hér.
169. Pelargonium naviculifolium E.M.Marais
170. Pelargonium nelsonii Burtt Davy
171. Pelargonium nephrophyllum E.M.Marais
172. Pelargonium nervifolium Jacq.
173. Pelargonium nummulifolium Salisb.
174. Pelargonium oblongatum E.Mey. ex Harv.
175. Pelargonium obnatum R.T.F.Clifton
176. Pelargonium obturbum P.Rees & R.T.F.Clifton
177. Pelargonium occultum Liekkio & R.T.F.Clifton
178. Pelargonium ocellatum J.J.A.van der Walt
179. Pelargonium ochroleucum Harv.
180. Pelargonium odoratissimum (L.) L’Hér.
181. Pelargonium oenotherae (L.f.) Jacq.
182. Pelargonium omissum P.Rees & R.T.F.Clifton
183. Pelargonium oppositifolium Schltr.
184. Pelargonium oreophilum Schltr.
185. Pelargonium orientum R.T.F.Clifton
186. Pelargonium otaviense R.Knuth
187. Pelargonium ovale (Burm.f.) L’Hér.
188. Pelargonium oxaloides (Burm.f.) Willd.
189. Pelargonium pachypodium J.P.Roux
190. Pelargonium pallidoflavum E.M.Marais
191. Pelargonium panduriforme Eckl. & Zeyh.
192. Pelargonium paniculatum Jacq.
193. Pelargonium papilionaceum (L.) L’Hér.
194. Pelargonium parvipetalum E.M.Marais
195. Pelargonium patulum Jacq.
196. Pelargonium peltatum (L.) L’Hér. Plant FAQs: Pelargonium Peltatum
197. Pelargonium petroselinifolium G.Don
198. Pelargonium pillansii T.M.Salter
199. Pelargonium pilosellifolium (Eckl. & Zeyh.) F.Dietr.
200. Pelargonium pinnatum (L.) L’Hér.
201. Pelargonium plurisectum T.M.Salter
202. Pelargonium polycephalum (Harv.) E.Mey. ex R.Knuth
203. Pelargonium praemorsum (Andrews) F.Dietr.
204. Pelargonium proliferum (Burm.f.) Steud.
205. Pelargonium psammophilum E.M.Marais
206. Pelargonium pseudoglutinosum R.Knuth
207. Pelargonium pseudosetulosum M.M.le Roux & J.C.Manning
208. Pelargonium pubipetalum E.M.Marais
209. Pelargonium pulchellum Sims
210. Pelargonium pulverulentum Colvill ex Sweet
211. Pelargonium punctatum (Andrews) Willd.
212. Pelargonium quarciticola Meve & E.M.Marais
213. Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew
214. Pelargonium quercifolium (L.f.) L’Hér.
215. Pelargonium quinquelobatum Hochst. ex A.Rich.
216. Pelargonium radens H.E.Moore Plant FAQs: Pelargonium Radens
217. Pelargonium radiatum (Andrews) Pers.
218. Pelargonium radicatum Vent.
219. Pelargonium radulifolium (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud.
220. Pelargonium ramosissimum (Cav.) Willd.
221. Pelargonium ranunculophyllum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Baker
222. Pelargonium rapaceum (L.) L’Hér.
223. Pelargonium redactum Vorster
224. Pelargonium reflexipetalum E.M.Marais
225. Pelargonium reflexum Pers.
226. Pelargonium reniforme (Andrews) Curtis
227. Pelargonium reptans R.T.F.Clifton
228. Pelargonium ribifolium Jacq.
229. Pelargonium × riversdalense R.Knuth
230. Pelargonium rodneyanum Lindl.
231. Pelargonium roseopetalum E.M.Marais
232. Pelargonium rubiginosum E.M.Marais
233. Pelargonium sabulosum E.M.Marais
234. Pelargonium salmoneum R.A.Dyer
235. Pelargonium saxatile J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
236. Pelargonium scabroide R.Knuth
237. Pelargonium scabrum (L.) L’Hér.
238. Pelargonium schizopetalum Sweet
239. Pelargonium semitrilobum Jacq.
240. Pelargonium senecioides L’Hér.
241. Pelargonium sericifolium J.J.A.van der Walt
242. Pelargonium sessiliflorum Hellbr. ex M.M.le Roux
243. Pelargonium setosum (Sweet) DC.
244. Pelargonium setulosum Turcz.
245. Pelargonium sibthorpiifolium Harv.
246. Pelargonium sidoides DC.
247. Pelargonium somalense Franch.
248. Pelargonium spinosum Willd.
249. Pelargonium stipulaceum Willd.
250. Pelargonium sublignosum R.Knuth
251. Pelargonium suburbanum Clifford ex D.A.Boucher
252. Pelargonium tabulare (L.) L’Hér.
253. Pelargonium tenellum (Andrews) Loudon ex G.Don
254. Pelargonium tenuicaule R.Knuth
255. Pelargonium ternatum (L.f.) Jacq.
256. Pelargonium ternifolium Vorster
257. Pelargonium tetragonum (L.f.) L’Hér.
258. Pelargonium theianthum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud.
259. Pelargonium tomentosum Jacq.
260. Pelargonium tongaense Vorster
261. Pelargonium torulosum E.M.Marais
262. Pelargonium tragacanthoides Burch.
263. Pelargonium transvaalense R.Knuth
264. Pelargonium triandrum E.M.Marais
265. Pelargonium tricolor Curtis
266. Pelargonium trifidum (Burm.f.) Jacq.
267. Pelargonium trifoliolatum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) E.M.Marais
268. Pelargonium tripalmatum E.M.Marais
269. Pelargonium triphyllum Jacq.
270. Pelargonium triste (L.) L’Hér.
271. Pelargonium uliginosum J.C.Manning & Euston-Brown
272. Pelargonium undulatum (Andrews) W.T.Aiton
273. Pelargonium vanderwaltii van Jaarsv.
274. Pelargonium vassarii W.Morris & R.T.F.Clifton
275. Pelargonium viciifolium L’Hér.
276. Pelargonium vinaceum E.M.Marais
277. Pelargonium violiflorum (Sweet) DC.
278. Pelargonium vitifolium (L.) L’Hér.
279. Pelargonium weberi E.M.Marais
280. Pelargonium whytei Baker
281. Pelargonium wonchiense Vorster & M.G.Gilbert
282. Pelargonium woodii N.E.Br.
283. Pelargonium worcesterae R.Knuth
284. Pelargonium wuppertalense E.M.Marais
285. Pelargonium xanthopetalum E.M.Marais
286. Pelargonium xerophyton Schltr. ex R.Knuth
287. Pelargonium zonale (L.) L’Hér.

More Than Just a Pretty Face

While Pelargoniums are primarily grown for their ornamental value, they also have a rich history of use in traditional medicine and perfumery. The essential oils extracted from the leaves of certain species, such as Pelargonium graveolens and Pelargonium crispum, are used in aromatherapy and to scent soaps, perfumes, and lotions.

In traditional medicine, Pelargonium leaves have been used to treat a variety of ailments, including skin infections, respiratory problems, and digestive issues. Some studies suggest that Pelargonium extracts may have antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Growing and Caring for Pelargoniums

Pelargoniums are relatively easy to grow and care for, making them a popular choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. They prefer well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, although some species can tolerate partial shade. Regular watering is essential, especially during hot, dry weather.

To encourage bushier growth and more abundant blooms, pinch back the tips of the stems regularly. Deadheading spent flowers will also help to prolong the blooming period.

Pelargoniums can be propagated from cuttings, making it easy to share your favorite varieties with friends and family. Simply take a cutting from a healthy stem, remove the lower leaves, and insert it into a pot of moist potting mix. Keep the cutting in a warm, bright location, and it should root within a few weeks.

A Personal Connection

I’ve always found Pelargoniums to be incredibly rewarding plants to grow. Their vibrant colors and unique scents bring joy to my garden and home. I love experimenting with different varieties and creating unique combinations in my flower beds and containers.

One of my favorite Pelargoniums is the ‘Attar of Roses’ variety, which has intensely fragrant leaves that release a strong rose scent. I often use the leaves to make potpourri or to add a fragrant touch to my bathwater.

I also enjoy growing the variegated varieties of Pelargonium, such as ‘Mrs. Pollock’ and ‘Frank Headley’, which have stunningly colorful leaves. These plants add a touch of drama to my garden and are always a conversation starter.

A Continuing Fascination

The world of Pelargoniums is vast and diverse, and I’m constantly discovering new and exciting varieties. I encourage you to explore the many different species and cultivars available and find the ones that speak to you. Whether you’re drawn to their vibrant colors, their unique scents, or their ease of care, Pelargoniums are sure to bring beauty and joy to your life.