Geranium Perfumes & Fragrances

Geranium fragrance note icon

Geranium smells like rose crossed with mint and green leaves, with a sharp, slightly metallic lift. It is one of the most versatile florals in perfumery and a standby in masculine compositions where rose would feel too sweet.

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The oil is steam-distilled from the leaves (not the flowers) of Pelargonium graveolens and related species. Egyptian geranium is fresh, green and lemony. Bourbon geranium from Reunion is richer, rosier and more honeyed. Chinese geranium is lighter and minty. The main aroma molecules are citronellol and geraniol, both found in rose, which is why geranium is often used as a rose extender.

Geranium sits in the heart. Perfumers use it as the rosy-green backbone of aromatic fougeres (Brut, Paco Rabanne Pour Homme), to boost rose notes, and to give leafy freshness to woody and chypre compositions. It pairs brilliantly with lavender, bergamot, patchouli and oakmoss.

Geranium performs best in spring, summer and warm daywear, and suits classic masculine signatures as well as modern unisex florals.