Pelargonium graveolens (rose type)
✾ The Green Floral
Source: Leaves and young stems, steam distilled into essential oil.
Character: Rosy, floral with a fresh green edge.
Origins: Native to southern Africa. Today it’s widely cultivated around the world, including in Egypt and China.
Despite its name, rose geranium isn’t actually a rose. Its name comes from the rose-like character of its fresh, floral aroma.
ꕥ Why We Love It
Mind: Supports a grounded, balanced mood. Helps create space during moments of tension.
Skin: A favorite in botanical skincare for its balancing character. Supports the appearance of a healthy-looking complexion.
Wellness: Often used in massage and body care. Adds a fresh floral touch to wellness rituals.
⚘ A Closer Look
More colorful than you might think.
Its small flowers range from pale pink to soft lavender, and sometimes nearly white.
Beloved by perfumers.
Its rosy-green aroma has been treasured in fine fragrance for generations.
Touch the leaves.
Gently rub a leaf between your fingers to release its signature rosy scent.
A garden full of fragrance.
Rose geranium is one of hundreds of scented geraniums, with varieties that smell like lemon, mint, apple, coconut, chocolate mint, and even cola.
✧ Good to Know
Patch test first. Rose geranium is naturally rich in geraniol and citronellol, aromatic compounds that can bother sensitive skin.
Always dilute. Blend the essential oil into a carrier oil before it touches skin.
Expecting, nursing, or under medical care? Check with your healthcare provider before use.
✦ Common Questions
Is rose geranium related to roses?
No. Rose geranium is a Pelargonium, part of the geranium family. It gets its name from the rose-like character of its fresh, floral aroma.
Is rose geranium oil the same as geranium oil?
They’re close relatives. Geranium oil can be distilled from several Pelargonium types and tends to smell greener. Rose geranium comes from the rose type of Pelargonium graveolens, with a sweeter, rosier aroma. We use geranium in Flow State and rose geranium in Heartstone.
Why use rose geranium in skincare?
It’s a favorite in botanical skincare for its balancing character and fresh floral scent. It’s naturally rich in geraniol and citronellol, which can bother sensitive skin, so it should always be diluted and patch tested.
❀ Find It In
Rose geranium appears in these ZenStream blends.
