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Apple geranium

Pelargonium odoratissimum

Also called Sweet Scent Pelargonium, Apple Storksbill, Scented Geramium, Apple Rose Scented Geranium, Apple Scented Pelargonium, Sweet Scented Pelargonium

Apple geranium
Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0

Apple geranium is a small, spreading South African subshrub, growing to about 30 cm high and 60 cm wide, with waxy green leaves that smell of apple and small pale pink flowers. It is grown as a houseplant or outdoor perennial in mild climates, and it needs bright light and well-drained soil.

Family
Geraniaceae (Geranium family)
Grows as
Shrub
Light
Bright indirect, Full sun
Water
Let the soil dry out between waterings; overwatering causes root rot.
Soil
Well-drained potting mix with added grit or perlite.
Temperature
15–25 °C; protect below 5 °C
How easy
Easy
Safety
Not known to be toxic. Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Native range
S. Africa
Climate
subtropical

About

Pelargonium odoratissimum is a pelargonium species native to South Africa. It is also known as the apple geranium or apple pelargonium due to the distinct apple scent. It is in the subgenus Reniforme along with Pelargonium sidoides and Pelargonium exstipulatum.

Uses

As well as being a houseplant or outdoor perennial depending on climate, Pelargonium odoratissimum other uses. It is used for its astringent, tonic and antiseptic effects. It is used internally for debility, gastroenteritis, and hemorrhage and externally for skin complaints, injuries, and neuralgia and throat infections. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy and has a delicious apple aroma. It is also used to balance the hormonal system, menstrual flow, and clean the body of toxins.

Other Pelargonium plants

Sorrel Leaf Pelargonium · Pilgrim's Rest Pelargonium · Austral storks bill · Rose scented geranium · Pelargonium 'citrosum' · Heart-leaved pelargonium · Nutmeg Scented Pelargonium · Old father live forever · Crisped Leaf Pelargonium · Hooded crane's bill · Dolomite Storksbill · Pelargonium drummondii

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Pelargonium odoratissimum by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.

Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.

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