Quick facts
| Arabic name | العطرة |
|---|---|
| English name | Rose Geranium |
| Scientific name | Pelargonium graveolens |
| Family | Geranium family (Geraniaceae) |
| Plant type | Perennial aromatic shrub |
| Height | 50 cm to 1 m |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to November, and February to March
Harvest time
All year
Cut the fragrant leaves when neededJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A small shrub with deeply lobed soft leaves and small pink flowers.
Where it grows
Grown in pots, home yards and gardens.
Soil
Light, well-drained soil.
Water and irrigation
Moderate watering. Too much rots the stem.
Climate and light
Likes sun and mild warmth and needs part shade in strong heat.
Propagation
Easy from cuttings.
Benefits and uses
- Leaves add fragrance to tea
- Geranium oil is made from it
- Helps keep mosquitoes away a little
- Easy to grow and care for
Drawbacks
- Sensitive to overwatering
- Damaged by frost
- Can cause skin allergy in some people
Important notes
Prune regularly so it stays bushy and gives new leaves.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Pelargonium graveolens
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Pelargonium graveolens
- Wikipedia: Pelargonium graveolens
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) - Plant finder
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)