We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Pelargonium capitatum - (L.)L'Hér.

Common Name Rose-Scented Geranium
Family Geraniaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dunes and sandy hills near the sea from the south-west Cape to southern Natal[260].
Range S. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Pelargonium capitatum Rose-Scented Geranium


http://www.hear.org/starr/
Pelargonium capitatum Rose-Scented Geranium
http://www.hear.org/starr/

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Pelargonium capitatum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. drummondii.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Aromatherapy  Aromatic  Astringent  Emollient

The whole plant is an aromatic, soothing, emollient herb with a rose-like aroma[238]. All parts of the plant are astringent[4]. It is taken internally as a remedy for minor digestive ailments, plus kidney and bladder disorders[238]. Externally, it is applied to rashes and cracked skin[238]. The leaves can be harvested and used as required[238]. The essential oil is a major component of geranium oil, which is used in aomatherapy and skin care[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Essential  Pot-pourri

P. Capitatum has strong rose scented ovate crinkled leaves with a soft texture, Flowers are usually 15 mm across & each head has about 10-20 flowers mauve pink in colour. An essential oil is obtained from the plant, it has a rose fragrance[104]. It is used in perfumery[188, 238]. The leaves are used in pot-pourri[238].

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a light well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position[188, 200]. Plants are not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about 0°c[260]. They generally require greenhouse protection but might succeed outdoors when grown in a very sheltered warm spot in the mildest parts of the country[1]. They can also be grown in containers that are placed outdoors in the summer and then brought into the greenhouse or conservatory for the winter[238]. The plants need to be kept fairly dry in the winter[200]. Very tolerant of pruning, they can be cut right down to the base in the autumn when bringing them back indoors, or in the spring to encourage lots of fresh growth[238]. When bruised, the leaves release a scent of roses[245]. Sometimes cultivated for its essential oil[188].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Stored seed should be sown in early spring in a greenhouse. The seed germinates best with a minimum temperature of 13°c, germination usually taking place within 2 weeks though it sometimes takes some months[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. If trying them outdoors, plant them out in early summer and consider giving them extra protection during the winter. Cuttings succeed at almost any time in the growing season but early summer is the best time in order for the new plant to become established before winter.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AFRICA: South Africa (Cape Province, KwaZulu-Natal)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pelargonium acetosum Shrub0.6 -  LMNDM11 
Pelargonium australeIvy GeraniumPerennial0.3 8-11  LMNDM11 
Pelargonium bowkeri Perennial0.0 -  LMNDM11 
Pelargonium crispumLemon GeraniumShrub0.7 8-11  LMSNDM223
Pelargonium exstipulatumPennyroyal GeraniumShrub1.0 8-11  LMNDM122
Pelargonium fragransNutmeg GeraniumShrub0.3 8-11  LMNDM123
Pelargonium fulgidum Shrub0.7 8-11  LMNDM012
Pelargonium glutinosumPheasant's Foot GeraniumShrub1.5 8-11  LMNDM013
Pelargonium graveolensRose Geranium, Sweet scented geraniumShrub1.2 10-11 MLMNDM233
Pelargonium incrassatum Perennial0.3 8-11  LMNDM012
Pelargonium odoratissimumApple GeraniumPerennial0.2 8-11  LMSNDM233
Pelargonium peltatumIvy-Leaved Geranium, Hanging Geranium, Ivy GeraniumShrub1.5 9-10 MLMNDM113
Pelargonium quercifoliumOak-Leaved GeraniumShrub1.5 8-11  LMNDM023
Pelargonium radensRasp-leaf pelargoniumShrub1.0 8-11  LMNDM023
Pelargonium tomentosumPeppermint GeraniumShrub0.5 8-11  LMSDM123
Pelargonium triste Perennial0.5 8-11  LMNDM112
Pelargonium vitifoliumGrapeleaf geraniumShrub1.0 8-11  LMNDM013
Pelargonium zonaleHorseshoe geraniumPerennial1.0 8-11  LMNDM112

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)L'Hér.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Pelargonium capitatum  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.