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Quick answer: geranium essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and stems of scented pelargoniums, mainly Pelargonium graveolens and its hybrids, which are native to southern Africa. It smells rosy, green and slightly minty, which is why it is often called rose geranium. Oils from Egypt, China and Réunion (sold as “Bourbon”) have slightly different chemistry and scent. Its main components, citronellol and geraniol, are recognized fragrance allergens, so dilute it, patch test and avoid using old oil on skin. Do not swallow it and keep it away from children and pets.
Geranium oil is one of the most popular mid-priced florals in aromatherapy and natural perfumery. It gives a convincing rose-like note at a fraction of the price of true rose oil, and it blends easily with citrus, lavender and woods.
The name causes confusion, though. The plant behind the oil is not the hardy geranium in your flower bed, and different growing regions produce oils that smell noticeably different. This guide explains the plant, the main types, how people use the oil and how to use it safely. For dilution basics and storage across all oils, see our essential oils guide.
Sources: Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition (Churchill Livingstone, 2014); ISO 4731, oil of geranium (Pelargonium x ssp.); Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plants of the World Online (Pelargonium graveolens); EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III fragrance allergens, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545; Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) opinion on fragrance allergens (2012); NCCIH, “Aromatherapy” fact sheet. Checked October 2026. General information, not medical advice.
Geranium or Pelargonium?
Gardeners use the word “geranium” for two different groups of plants, and that is where the confusion starts.
- True geraniums (genus Geranium), often called cranesbills, are hardy perennials common in temperate gardens.
- Pelargoniums (genus Pelargonium) are the tender plants most people call geraniums, including the bright bedding plants sold for pots and window boxes and the scented-leaf types.
Both belong to the same family, Geraniaceae, but essential oil comes from Pelargonium. Specifically, it comes from scented-leaf pelargoniums whose leaves release a rose-like smell when brushed. Kew lists Pelargonium graveolens as native to southern Africa. Commercial plantings are often hybrids, and some sources trace common cultivars to crosses involving Pelargonium capitatum and Pelargonium radens.
The oil is distilled from the green parts of the plant, mainly leaves and stems, not the flowers. The flowers of scented-leaf pelargoniums are small and contribute very little.
The Main Types of Geranium Oil
Most geranium oil comes from a few producing regions. The plants and growing conditions differ, and so does the oil.
| Type | Main origin | Scent notes | Chemistry markers often cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egyptian geranium | Egypt | Rosy, soft, slightly sweet | Contains 10-epi-gamma-eudesmol |
| Chinese geranium | China | Rosy with a sharper, greener edge | Higher citronellol relative to geraniol |
| Bourbon geranium | Réunion (historically), now also Madagascar and others | Fresh, rosy and minty; considered a premium type | Contains guaia-6,9-diene |
| Rose geranium (label term) | Various | Usually Egyptian or a cultivar selected for rosy scent | Varies |
ISO 4731 sets international quality ranges for geranium oils from these different origins, including expected levels of the main constituents. A supplier that tests to this standard can tell you which type you are buying.
“Bourbon” is an old name for the island of Réunion, which built a reputation for high-quality geranium oil in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Production there has fallen, and oils sold today as “Bourbon type” may come from elsewhere, so check the country of origin.
What Geranium Oil Smells Like
Most people describe geranium oil as:
- Rosy and floral, but greener and sharper than true rose
- Slightly minty or lemony, depending on the batch
- Fresh rather than heavy
- Strong; a little goes a long way
The rosy character comes mainly from citronellol and geraniol, two compounds also found in rose oil. That overlap is why geranium is used to extend or imitate rose in perfumes and soaps.
How People Use Geranium Oil
Perfumery and soap
Geranium has been a workhorse of perfumery for well over a century. It supplies rosy, green freshness to floral, fougère and citrus fragrances and is widely used in soaps and toiletries where real rose oil would be too expensive.
Skin and hair products
Geranium oil is common in lotions, facial oils, toners and hair products. In most cases it is there for fragrance. Claims that it “balances” skin or hormones are marketing language rather than established findings. There has been laboratory interest in geranium oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, but test-tube results do not show that a skin product containing it will treat a condition.
Diffuser and massage blends
At home, geranium is popular in uplifting floral diffuser blends and in massage oils. The NCCIH notes that aromatherapy research is limited and mixed, so choose geranium because you enjoy the scent rather than for a promised health effect.
Insect repellent products
Geranium oil and its constituent geraniol appear in some botanical insect repellents. If you need protection from mosquitoes or ticks that may carry disease, rely on repellents registered with the EPA and follow their labels, rather than homemade essential oil sprays, which tend to wear off quickly.
Safety: The Allergy Question
In Essential Oil Safety, Tisserand and Young consider geranium oil reasonably low risk overall, but they flag skin sensitization as the main concern. That matches what regulators say about its main components.
Geraniol and citronellol are recognized allergens
Under the EU Cosmetics Regulation, both geraniol and citronellol are on the list of fragrance allergens that must be named on cosmetic labels above set concentrations. The EU expanded that list in 2023 (Regulation (EU) 2023/1545), following a 2012 opinion from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. Geraniol in particular is considered a relevant contact allergen, and its oxidation products can be more sensitizing than the fresh compound.
What that means at home:
- Dilute. For body oils, a low dilution such as 1 percent is a sensible starting point for most adults. Our dilution chart shows how many drops that is.
- Patch test. Apply a small amount of the diluted blend to the inner forearm and wait 24 to 48 hours.
- Use fresh oil. Oxidized geranium oil is more likely to cause reactions. Store it well and replace old bottles.
- Stop if your skin reacts. Redness, itching or a rash that spreads are signs to stop and wash the area. Our guide to essential oil skin reactions explains the difference between irritation and allergy.
Other precautions
- Do not swallow. Essential oils are concentrated and ingestion can be harmful.
- Children. Use lower dilutions and keep bottles out of reach.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Check with a qualified healthcare provider first.
- Pets. Cats and dogs can be sensitive to essential oils, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists geranium plants among those that can cause mild symptoms in pets. Diffuse briefly and make sure animals can leave the room. Our article on essential oils and pets has more detail.
- Medication and health conditions. Talk to a healthcare provider before regular use if you have a skin condition or take medication.
How to Use Geranium Oil at Home
- Floral diffuser blend. Combine geranium with a citrus oil and a little lavender for a bright, fresh room scent.
- Simple body oil. Add geranium to a light carrier such as jojoba or fractionated coconut oil at a low dilution. Our comparison of carrier oils explains which base suits which skin type.
- Roll-on perfume. Pair geranium with a woody base and a citrus top note in a roller bottle. Follow a careful recipe, such as the one in our guide to making an essential oil roller blend, to keep the dilution low.
- Linen spray. A few drops in a spray made with water and a dispersant can freshen linens. Test on a hidden area first.
Blending partners
- Citrus: bergamot, sweet orange, grapefruit, lemon
- Herbal: lavender, clary sage, rosemary
- Woods and resins: cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense
- Florals: rose, ylang ylang, jasmine
- Earthy bases: patchouli, vetiver
Because geranium is so strong, start with fewer drops than the other oils in a blend and add more slowly.
From Cape Plants to Perfume Fields
Scented pelargoniums traveled from southern Africa to European gardens in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when botanists and plant collectors brought specimens back from the Cape. Gardeners prized them for leaves that smelled of rose, lemon, mint or nutmeg when touched, and growers bred many varieties.
French perfumers began distilling rose-scented pelargoniums in the nineteenth century as a more affordable source of a rosy note. Cultivation spread from France to North Africa and then to Réunion, where the oil became an important export. Over the twentieth century, production shifted toward Egypt and China, which supply much of the geranium oil sold today.
That history is visible on modern labels. “Bourbon,” “Egyptian” and “Chinese” are not brand names; they are shorthand for growing regions with distinct plants, soils and distillation habits.
Common Mistakes With Geranium Oil
A few habits cause most of the problems people run into with this oil:
- Using too much. Geranium is strong. A blend that smells pleasant at two drops can turn sharp and medicinal at six.
- Skipping dilution on “gentle” florals. Floral oils have a soft reputation, but geranium’s main components are among the better-known fragrance allergens.
- Keeping a bottle for years. Old, oxidized oil is more likely to irritate or sensitize skin.
- Mixing up plants. Recipes that call for “geranium” mean Pelargonium oil. Do not substitute an oil labeled with another genus.
- Relying on it as a bug spray. Homemade essential oil sprays fade quickly. Use an EPA-registered repellent where ticks or mosquitoes carry disease.
Buying Good Geranium Oil
Geranium oil is affordable enough that heavy adulteration is less common than with rose, but it does happen. It can be extended with synthetic citronellol and geraniol or with cheaper oils.
Look for:
- Botanical name (Pelargonium graveolens or “Pelargonium x asperum” or similar)
- Country of origin, which tells you whether it is Egyptian, Chinese or another type
- Plant part (leaves and stems) and extraction method (steam distillation)
- Batch GC/MS report showing citronellol, geraniol and other constituents, ideally referencing ISO 4731
Storage
Store geranium oil in dark glass with a tight lid, away from heat and light. Because oxidation raises its allergy risk, try to use it within a few years of opening and move it to a smaller bottle as the level drops. Discard oil that smells sour, harsh or “off.”
Geranium at a Glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Plant | Scented-leaf pelargoniums, mainly Pelargonium graveolens and hybrids |
| Plant part | Leaves and stems |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Main types | Egyptian, Chinese, Bourbon (Réunion) |
| Key constituents | Citronellol, geraniol, linalool, citronellyl formate |
| Scent | Rosy, green, slightly minty |
| Main uses | Perfumery, soap, skin and hair products, diffuser blends |
| Key caution | Skin sensitization; dilute, patch test, use fresh oil |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is geranium oil the same as rose geranium oil?
Usually, yes. “Rose geranium” is a common name for geranium oil from Pelargonium graveolens or related cultivars selected for a rosy scent. Check the botanical name and country of origin to know exactly what you are buying.
What is Bourbon geranium oil?
Bourbon geranium is oil from Réunion, an island once called Bourbon. It is known for a fresh, rosy, slightly minty scent. Some oils sold as “Bourbon type” today come from other countries.
Does geranium essential oil come from garden geraniums?
It comes from scented-leaf pelargoniums, which many people call geraniums, not from hardy cranesbill geraniums. The oil is distilled from the leaves and stems.
Is geranium essential oil safe for skin?
It can be used on skin when well diluted, but its main components, geraniol and citronellol, are recognized fragrance allergens. Patch test first, use fresh oil and stop if your skin reacts.
Can I diffuse geranium oil around my cat or dog?
Use caution. Pets can be sensitive to essential oils. Diffuse only briefly in a ventilated room and make sure your pet can leave.
What oils blend well with geranium?
Citrus oils, lavender, clary sage, cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense and patchouli all blend well with geranium.
