The names “Geranium” and “Rose Geranium” frequently cause confusion, often leading people to believe they are variations of the same plant. While these terms are used interchangeably in common conversation, the plants are not the same species. The plant commonly known as Rose Geranium is botanically distinct from what scientists refer to as True Geranium. The central difference lies in their scientific classification and the primary reason for which each plant is cultivated.
The Botanical Truth: Two Different Genera
Rose Geranium and True Geranium both belong to the same plant family, Geraniaceae, which is the source of the naming confusion. However, within this family, they are separated into two distinct genera. Most plants consumers call “Geraniums,” including scented varieties like Rose Geranium, belong to the genus Pelargonium. The True Geranium, often called Cranesbill, belongs to the genus Geranium.
The separation into these two genera is based on distinct differences in flower structure, fruit shape, and the presence of a nectar tube, which is unique to Pelargonium. Both genera are named after birds, referencing the shape of their seed pods. Geranium comes from the Greek word for “crane,” and Pelargonium comes from the word for “stork.”
Identifying Rose Geranium (Scented Pelargoniums)
The plant commonly identified as Rose Geranium is typically a species or hybrid within the Pelargonium genus, most frequently Pelargonium graveolens. This plant grows as an erect, multi-branched subshrub, often reaching up to five feet in height, with stems that become woody over time. The leaves are deeply incised, soft, and velvety due to numerous glandular hairs.
This species is primarily cultivated for its highly aromatic foliage, which releases a strong, rose-like scent when bruised or crushed. This fragrance is the reason for its common name. The small flowers that appear are usually pale pink to nearly white and are less prominent than the leaves. The leaves are the source material for the essential oil used extensively in fragrance and aromatherapy.
Identifying True Geranium (Cranesbills)
Plants belonging to the Geranium genus, known as True Geraniums or Cranesbills, are hardy, herbaceous perennials. They exhibit a low, mounding, or trailing growth habit, making them effective as ground cover in landscaping. Their stems are soft and herbaceous, dying back to the ground in colder climates.
The flowers of the True Geranium have a distinct, symmetrical structure with five identical petals. These blooms come in shades of white, pink, purple, or blue and are the plant’s main ornamental feature. The foliage is characteristically palmately lobed or dissected. Unlike the Rose Geranium, the leaves of most True Geranium species are not intensely scented or commercially harvested for essential oil production.
Practical Differences in Application
The naming confusion is most relevant when considering how these two plant groups are used in commerce. Rose Geranium (Pelargonium species) is cultivated specifically for its aromatic compounds. The leaves are steam-distilled to produce “geranium essential oil,” which is rich in aromatic alcohols like citronellol and geraniol, giving it a sweet, rosy aroma.
This essential oil is widely used in perfumery, soaps, skincare products, and aromatherapy, sometimes serving as a substitute for true rose oil. In contrast, True Geranium (Geranium species) is primarily valued for its horticultural uses as a hardy, reliable landscape plant. Gardeners favor these plants for their toughness, extended blooming periods, and ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions, including partial shade.
They are excellent for filling out garden borders, providing dense ground cover, and resisting common garden pests. When purchasing “geranium essential oil,” the active ingredient is almost always derived from the aromatic Pelargonium species, not the ornamental Geranium species.