Geranium is certainly not a new thing in the gardening world. Interestingly, it comes in various colors.
This perennial plant is from the Geraniaceae family that can be a beautiful decoration in the garden or at home.
Although the primary purpose is ornamental plants, people also use them in the health and beauty fields. There are at least 422 species on earth, each with its properties, aroma, and beauty.
But even though the name of this plant is quite notable, many things are still unknown to people. If you intend to cultivate this plant, read and understand this review to the end.
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Some of Them Are Aromatics
In addition to their beautiful appearance, several types of these plants also have a unique aroma. The smell can be different in each species.
Furthermore, the aroma comes from the leaves and is generally similar to other plants. See the resemblance from the scientific names given, such as lime geranium, and so on.
Geranium vs Pelargonium
This plant turned out to confuse gardeners. Maybe you have been to a flower shop and wanted to buy geraniums, but the shop assistant gave you another grower.
No need to be confused! The plant you get is probably pelargonium. In taxonomy, this grower also has the name geranium.
Both are also in the same family.
Therefore, to avoid buying the wrong one, you must be able to distinguish between geraniums and pelargoniums.
Because both plants certainly have a different nature, function, and way of life.
Geranium is actinomorphic as it has five similar petals (radial symmetry). Meanwhile, pelargonium is a zygomorphic because of the two different upper petals from the bottom (single symmetry).
Drought Tolerant
The interesting thing about this plant is that it is adaptable. It can survive in a variety of conditions, both normal and dry.
This grower is also known to be resistant to drought.
While other plants will slowly die when they do not get enough water, geraniums will survive longer. However, the condition is that it must grow on a planting medium that can absorb water well.
However, They are Not Heat Resistant
This plant is quite hardy and able to survive in various conditions. However, excessive heat still influences its development.
When the weather is hot in summer, the plant will not die. However, they will stop flowering to maintain body moisture.
This condition is called heat check.
Otherwise, not all species experience this. Some species are resistant enough to the heat and will continue to flower even in unfavorable environmental conditions.
Pot is the Best Home
For cultivating, the best way is to plant it in a pot. In addition to aesthetic purposes, placing it in a container will make it easier to transport.
As we discussed above, geraniums prefer shaded places. Potting will make it easier for us to provide the best location as needed.
The Benefits of Geranium Flowers
Apart from decoration, people believe that geranium flowers have many benefits. It is true, as many ingredients and products involve it as ingredients.
Here are some of them:
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Repelling Mosquitoes
When it comes to geranium, the first thing bearing in mind is to repelling mosquitoes. Not without reason, some types have a smell that insects do not like, such as citrus.
Some people apply the juice of this plant to the skin to avoid bites. But you can also place it in a pot as a decoration as well as an annoying insect repellent.
It will protect the house and make it more comfortable.
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Stress Reliever
The scent not only repels mosquitoes but also provides pleasant aromatherapy. Inhaling it will make you feel more relaxed, refreshed, and even sleep better.
In addition to placing flowers in the room, you can also apply the extract behind the ears. Many people also consume it as tea.
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Maintain Skin Health
Many do not know that this plant is also beneficial for skin health and beauty. It contains convergent substances that induce and produce collagen.
You can use it regularly on the face and other body parts. Regular use of the flowers extract will help reduce wrinkles.
The geranium extract can also tighten skin muscles, making it suitable for use in the neck and stomach area.
It is a good solution for facial skin problems like acne.
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Herbal Tea
Apart from relieving mental health, geranium tea also treats inflammation and joint pain. The reason, this plant contains substances that work as pain relievers.
This tea is good for the body’s organs, especially for the kidneys. It can stimulate the urinary tract in the body.
In addition, the antibacterial substances in it are also the best for digestive health.
The Leaves of Geranium Plant
Geranium leaves do have a lot of uniqueness. In addition to having a similar aroma to other plants, this part also plays a role in culinary.
Many people began to cultivate it for a mixture of food and drink.
The processing method is also easy. Dry the leaves of various types and then crush them. You can add it to jelly or other drinks to give it a unique taste.
The chefs also include it as an ingredient in making cakes, salads, lemonade, etc. Storing it dry will make it last longer so that you can use it for a long time.
What is Geranium Oil?
Besides flowers, geranium oil is one of the terms we often hear. This product has been through development in many countries.
People believe that the content is very beneficial for health and beauty.
However, despite its representing name of the oil, it seems that there are several misunderstandings in society.
The basic ingredients of this essential extract are Pelargonium graveolens leaves which undergo a distillation process.
As such, it is not from the houseplants we discuss in this review.
But in fact, this oil does have many uses, for example, to treat skin problems, nasal vestibulitis, infection, and inflammation.
In addition, geranium oil also has the benefit of depression relieving stress. Currently, its use is widespread in various health facilities and is proven to have calming benefits.
However, the relationship between the true geranium and pelargonium essential oils is still confusing. Many people think that both have the same content and efficacy, but some still doubt it.
So far, the use of true one is still focused on flowers. Its efficacy to repel mosquitoes is proven, but the utilization of leaves is still not as fast as pelargonium.
How to Grow Geranium
For growing the best plant, the first step is to know the environmental conditions they want. Here are some things to consider:
- Although they do not like hot weather, they need a lot of sunlight. Put it in a shady location but still reach the light.
- For indoor placement, put the plant near a door, window, or location with light access (but not direct).
- Geraniums should receive indirect light for 6-8 hours a day.
- The best temperature for this plant is 13 degrees Celsius at night, whereas 18-21 degrees Celsius during the day.
- Planting media must absorb water well so that humidity is maintained. You can use a mixture of soil, perlite, and peat.
- To avoid failure, do not plant it in winter.
Now that you know the requirements for growing geraniums, it is time to learn about seedlings. The techniques are through seeds or stem cuttings.
If you use seeds, you can place them in the planting medium and bury them with soil until solid. After that, you have to keep the environmental conditions comfortable.
However, more people use cuttings because it is easy and more practical. After placing it in the planting medium, you need to take care of it as usual.
Geranium Care and Tips
After you successfully grow geraniums, then the next step will be easy. Although environmental conditions may change and affect growth, they can survive.
However, there is nothing wrong to care, making the plants remain fertile and keep flowering. Several maintenance tips are:
- Maintaining moisture is the main thing in caring for this grower. Water regularly to prevent the planting medium from drying out.
- Excessive watering can make the plant too moist so that it rots and dies.
- You also need to provide fertilizer to maintain the nutrients in the growing media.
- Fertilizer application time is every 4-6 six weeks, especially when the plant is in the process of growth.
- Repotting is necessary if the plants start to be overgrown. Move carefully and do not damage the roots.
- Regular pruning is also necessary to encourage them to do generation.
- Do not forget to do monitoring to check if your plants are sick or have pests.
- If you find pests, expel them first with a mixture of laundry soap and water. But if it does not work, you can start using pesticides.
Those are some geranium care tips that you can do. One more, you can propagate during the fall season to get the best results. Good luck!
Conclusion
Geranium is an amazing plant that is not only decorative but also beneficial for health. Importantly, be careful not to confuse it with pelargonium.