Pelargonium graveolens (Lime-Scented Geranium)

Pelargonium crispum (Lime-Scented Geranium / Lemon Crispum)

Brighten your space with the invigorating, crisp citrus aroma of Pelargonium crispum, the popular Lime-Scented Geranium. This upright, compact perennial shrub (often treated as an annual or houseplant) is highly valued for its crinkled, slightly velvety, bright green foliage. When brushed or crushed, the leaves release a powerful and refreshing lime scent that instantly cleanses the air. Smaller and neater than many other scented types, 'Crispum' is perfect for adding a vivid, aromatic focal point to patio containers, windowsills, and herb gardens, offering both beauty and a strong, usable citrus essence.

Plant Placement Area:

• Full sun: Essential for the most intense fragrance and dense, compact growth. Place in a location receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Containers or borders: Excellent for containers outdoors during summer, or planted directly in the garden border.

• Winter protection: Not frost-hardy. Must be brought indoors to a bright, cool conservatory or sunny windowsill before the first frost.

• Close to pathways: Ideal for planting near paths or seating areas where the foliage can be easily brushed to release its scent.

Benefits:

• Intense Citrus Scent: The primary appeal is the powerful, clean, refreshing lime or lemon fragrance of the foliage, widely used in potpourri, essential oils, and aromatherapy.

• Culinary use: Leaves can be used to flavour cold drinks, desserts, syrups, and baked goods, imparting a clean citrus flavour.

• Compact size: Often has a smaller, tidier habit than other scented geraniums, making it excellent for smaller containers and indoor spaces.

• Deer and rabbit resistant: The strong scent naturally deters common garden pests.

• Aromatic Accent: Provides year-round sensory appeal when kept indoors in a sunny location.

Watering Tips:

• Drought tolerant: Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings. It is highly susceptible to root rot from overwatering.

• Watering technique: Water thoroughly when the soil is dry, then allow excess water to drain completely.

• Reduce watering in winter: Water very sparingly during its indoor winter period.

Care Tips:

• Pruning/Pinching: Pinch back the growing tips regularly when young to maintain a dense, bushy shape and prevent it from becoming tall and leggy.

• Soil: Prefers well-drained, average-to-poor soil. Avoid overly rich, nitrogen-heavy soil, which can reduce fragrance intensity.

• Fertilizing: Feed sparingly. Use a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer once a month only during the active growing season (spring/summer).

• Winter care: Before the first frost, cut back the plant slightly and move it to a cool (but above freezing), bright indoor location.

Light Level:

• Full Sun: Optimal for the strongest fragrance, best colour, and most compact shape.

• Tolerates Bright Indirect Light: Can survive indoors in bright indirect light, but the scent and vigour may be reduced.

• Avoid Low Light: Will lead to weak, leggy growth.

Toxicity:

• Mildly toxic to pets: Contains essential oils that can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested by cats and dogs. While the foliage is used in human culinary arts, pets should be discouraged from chewing the plant.

Metafields for Pelargonium crispum

• Plant Characteristics:

  • Value: Aromatic Foliage, Citrus Scent, Compact Shrub, Deer Resistant, Deciduous Perennial (Treated as Annual)

• Class:

  • Value: Scented Geranium, Herb, Container Plant, Tender Perennial

• Suitable Space:

  • Value: Sunny Patio Container, Herb Garden, Sunny Windowsill, Kitchen Garden, Border Edge

• Sunlight:

  • Value: Full Sun

• Tag:

  • Value: Outdoor Plant, Indoor Plant, Fragrant, Culinary Herb, Aromatic, Low Maintenance, Drought Tolerant, Pest Resistant, Sun Lover