Ingredient Guide
Geranium leaves are covered in oil-secreting hairs, and release a rose-like scent when touched. The flowers are small and pale pink. Steam-distilling the slightly wilted leaves and stems produces an essential oil with a rose-like scent. This is why the plant is also called rose geranium.
The largest areas of rose-geranium cultivation are in Egypt and China. The highest-quality variety is known as Bourbon geranium and is grown on Réunion Island.
Its scent is not only rose-like but also fresh like menthol, green, and fruity. In perfumery, it is often used in fougère notes.
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
Geranium essential oil is a natural fragrance material obtained by steam-distilling the leaves and stems of Pelargonium. It adds green leaves, mint, and a faint earthy coolness to a bright, rose-like floral scent, giving fougère and floral compositions a clear, well-defined outline. Geranium reco is an artificial reconstitution blend that expresses geranium’s floral, minty scent. It differs in how it is made from the natural essential oil, and its diffusion and longevity are not identical either. Choosing between them according to the intended effect allows the perfumer to adjust the brightness and greenness of the rosy character.
Choosing Geranium Fragrances
Geranium has both a rose-like floral scent and cool notes reminiscent of mint and green leaves.
- Bright florals: Pairings with rose and other flowers add greenness alongside floral richness.
- Mint-like freshness: Mint and anise suit those who prefer a crisp scent to floral sweetness.
- Herbs and spices: Coriander and clary sage bring out green herbal scents.
Fragrances Featuring Geranium
Géranium Pour Monsieur (Frédéric Malle)
Mint, anise, and geranium are paired with white musk and sandalwood. Soft woods and musk mingle with the freshness of mint and geranium.
Coriander (D.S. & Durga)
Geranium is paired with clary sage and clove stem, then layered with coriander’s green spiciness. Green herbs and cool spices define the fragrance.
From Geranium to Your Next Fragrance
Once you have a sense of the scents you enjoy, open our Fragrance Finder. Choose “Favorite fragrances & notes” on the home screen, search in the “Favorite notes” field, and select an option from the suggestions shown. Choose “Next” to continue. You can start with notes even if you do not yet have a favorite perfume.
