Geranium essential oil (pelargonium): two variants, use and safe dilution

Oil from scented pelargonium smells of rose with a green note. The difference between Bourbon and rose geranium, recipes, a dilution table and safety.

In brief: Geranium essential oil is distilled from the leaves and stems of scented pelargonium, Pelargonium graveolens, and its hybrids, not from the geraniums on the windowsill. It smells rosy, fresh and slightly minty. On the skin it is diluted to 1–2%, in a diffuser 3–5 drops are enough. Pelargonium is poisonous to cats.

Latin name	Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér. and hybrids (commercially also P. roseum, P. × asperum), Geraniaceae
Extraction	steam distillation of leaves and stems (with flowers), yield around 0.5%
Main components (Bourbon type)	citronellol 18–26%, geraniol 12–20%, linalool 8–11%, citronellyl formate 7–12%, isomenthone 5–10%, typically guaia-6,9-diene
Diffuser	3–5 drops for a medium room
On the skin	face 0.5–1% (1–2 drops per 10 ml), body 1–2% (6–12 drops per 30 ml)
Safety	low risk of irritation, contains allergens; toxic to cats and dogs

In aromatherapy geranium is the "cheaper sister of rose". It contains the same scent alcohols as rose oil, citronellol and geraniol, only adding a green, slightly minty note from the leaves. That makes it versatile: it suits a face oil, a summer mosquito blend and an evening aroma lamp.

At Pěstík we have two variants: BIO Geranium from the island of Réunion and BIO Rose geranium. Below we explain how they differ, and then everything that applies to both.

Geranium, pelargonium, garden geranium: what is what

In the world the oil is sold as "geranium oil", but it has nothing to do with the genus Geranium (cranesbill) that grows in our forests. It comes from South African scented pelargoniums, mainly Pelargonium graveolens and its hybrids, which smell of rose at the mere touch of a leaf.

The geraniums on balconies are also pelargoniums, but other species (P. zonale, P. peltatum), and no oil is made from them. If you are interested in growing them, read our article Pelargoniums (geraniums). You can also grow a scented pelargonium on a windowsill, but distillation needs about 200 kg of leaves for 1 kg of oil.

Geranium or rose geranium?

	BIO Geranium	BIO Rose geranium
Latin name on the product page	Pelargonium graveolens	Pelargonium roseum
Origin	Réunion (so-called Bourbon)	not stated
Plant part	leaves and flowers	leaves and flowers
Scent according to the manufacturer	floral, rosy, with citrus notes	sweeter, floral, gently herbal
What it suits more	the classic "geranium" note for perfumes and face oils	when you want as much rose and as little green as possible

The name Pelargonium roseum is used in trade for "rose geranium", a rose-scented pelargonium from the P. graveolens group. The oils are very close in composition, use and safety, so everything below applies to both. The oil from Réunion (Bourbon) differs from the Egyptian or Chinese type in its content of the sesquiterpene guaia-6,9-diene, which gives it a fuller, slightly spicy depth.

What geranium goes with

Floral: rose, palmarosa, ylang ylang (that one only by the drop), lavender.
Citrus: bergamot, grapefruit, orange.
Woods: Himalayan cedar, frankincense.
Summer "outdoor" tones: citronella, lemongrass.

Use and recipes

Diffuser and aroma lamp

Geranium is among the gentler oils; for a medium room (16–25 m²) put 3–5 drops, for a small one 2–3. A complete table by room and device is in the article how many drops to put in a diffuser and aroma lamp.

Garden after the rain: 2 drops of geranium, 2 drops of lavender, 1 drop of grapefruit.
Rosy: 2 drops of geranium, 2 drops of palmarosa, 1 drop of rose.

Aroma lamp for the terrace (against mosquitoes)

Citronellol and geraniol from geranium are substances studied as natural repellents. Outdoors in an aroma lamp: 2 drops of geranium, 2 drops of citronella, 1 drop of lemongrass. It is a pleasant supplementary protection, not a replacement for a repellent in the tropics. What studies have found about the effectiveness of oils against mosquitoes we summarise in the article natural protection against mosquitoes.

Dilution on the skin

Use	Dilution	10 ml of carrier	30 ml of carrier
face	0.5–1%	1–2 drops	3–6 drops
body and massage oil	1–2%	2–4 drops	6–12 drops
bath	–	4–5 drops in a tablespoon of carrier oil, never on its own into the water

1 ml of carrier oil is about 20 drops, so 1% means 2 drops per 10 ml.

Body oil step by step (30 ml, 1.5%)

Pour 30 ml of jojoba or another carrier oil into a dark bottle.
Add 4 drops of geranium, 3 drops of lavender and 2 drops of palmarosa.
Close it and shake.
Test on the forearm and watch the reaction for 24 hours.
Use after a shower on damp skin, use up within 3 months.

How to choose a carrier oil by skin type can be found in the article essential oils for the skin.

Traditional use and research

Scented pelargoniums came to Europe from South Africa in the 17th century. French perfumers began to distil them as a substitute for expensive rose, and in the 19th century cultivation shifted to Réunion, after whose old name Bourbon the oil is still labelled today. Today geranium is also distilled in Egypt, China and South Africa.

In aromatherapy it is traditionally used to "balance" mood and in the care of combination skin. In laboratory studies and animal experiments rose geranium oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity. Studies in humans that would prove a therapeutic effect are lacking, so do not believe claims such as "balances hormones".

Safety

Skin: geranium has a low risk of irritation. Citronellol, geraniol and linalool are, however, allergens in the EU that must be listed in the composition of cosmetics. Always do a patch test on the forearm.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: neither Tisserand and Balacs nor Tisserand and Young list geranium among the oils unsuitable in pregnancy. We nevertheless recommend not using it on the skin in the first trimester, later 1% at most and after consulting a doctor. In a diffuser briefly and with ventilation.
Children: nothing under 3 months, in a diffuser from 6 months 1 drop and briefly, on the skin under 2 years max. 0.5%, 2–6 years 0.5–1%. More in the article essential oils and children.
Cats and dogs: the ASPCA lists pelargonium as poisonous to dogs, cats and horses, the hazardous substances being geraniol and linalool. Do not diffuse the oil in a room the cat cannot leave, and do not apply it to fur or a collar. Details in the article essential oils and pets.
Internally: no.
Storage: dark glass, in a cool place, use up within 2 years of opening.

How to recognise a quality geranium oil

The Latin name (Pelargonium graveolens or P. × asperum, P. roseum) and the country of origin.
The oil is pale yellow to greenish, thin, and smells rosy and green. A sharply "soapy" scent without the green component may mean an addition of synthetic citronellol.
The ISO 4731 standard applies to geranium oil, and a reputable supplier has an analysis of the composition.

Frequently asked questions

Are geranium and pelargonium the same thing?

Yes, "geranium oil" is the English name for oil from scented pelargoniums. It is unrelated to cranesbill (Geranium).

What is geranium oil used for?

For scenting a space, in face and massage oils, in homemade perfumes and in summer blends for the terrace. It is traditionally used for relaxation and in skin care.

Does geranium repel mosquitoes?

It contains citronellol and geraniol, which repel insects, but an aroma lamp on the terrace protects only near it and briefly. Where mosquitoes transmit diseases, use a registered repellent.

Is geranium oil poisonous to cats?

Pelargonium is poisonous to cats and dogs. Use the oil only where there is no cat or where it can leave, and keep the bottle closed.

Can I use geranium in pregnancy?

Authoritative handbooks do not list it among the prohibited ones. Even so, do not use it on the skin in the first trimester and always consult a doctor.

Which should I choose, geranium or rose geranium?

For the classic geranium note and face oils, the Bourbon from Réunion; for a sweeter, more rosy scent, rose geranium. Safety and dilution are the same.

Sources

Updated: 27 September 2026

Author: Jana Vránová, the editorial pen name of the Pěstík.cz team. She writes about the garden, herbs and essential oils. We take safety and dosage information from specialist literature and official sources, which we cite in every article.