Geraniums: Best Plants to Grow | Types of Geraniums with Pictures | Medicinal Benefits

If you love scented and perfumed flowers and plants in your house that are loaded with amazing health and medicinal benefits, then according to me, the best plants to grow for first time gardeners are geraniums as some geranium plants love to be in part shade and part sun, an environment which is easily available in home gardens. The fancy geranium flowers are beautiful and adorable and you will love to grow them in your home garden. Now before going through the important information on geraniums, go through this amazing history of geraniums. If you do not want to read this interesting history of geraniums, then scroll down a bit to look out for information on different types of geraniums. History of Geraniums: The name geranium has come from Greek word, Geranos, which means "crane" because the seed pods of geraniums are shaped like beak of a crane. Geraniums were formerly considered major curative plants and have been used since ancient times as a natural remedy for tumors and wounds. Geraniums were also good for treating cholera. Ancient people also treated skin problems and ulcers with geraniums and also to stop bleeding. It was also believed by many that the geraniums helped them to keep away evil spirits. Now read about the origin and distribution of geraniums. From the region of Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, Geraniums were first introduced to Europe in 1690 and were then cultivated by French industry for rose geranium essential oil due to its excellent perfume and as a substitute for expensive pink oil. Geraniums were also grown extensively in different countries of the world like Spain, China, Egypt, Morocco, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland due to its use in perfumery, excellent fragrance, and medicinal benefits.

Different Types of Geraniums

Stellar Geraniums:  Just like zonal geraniums, stellar geraniums also belong to the group of zonal geraniums. Stellar geraniums are small and tiny bushy plants. Stellar geraniums have a beautiful star shape structure and appearance but unlike like zonal geraniums, they don’t love sun and that is why they grow in southern regions. Some important cultivars or breeds of stellar geraniums are Peppermint Star, ‘Vancouver Centennial, Exotic Glitter, and Chinese Cactus geraniums with pictures at side.

Fancy-Leaved Geraniums:  Fancy leaf geraniums belong to the sub group of zonal geraniums. Fancy leaved geraniums are able to tolerate part sun and part shade so they need to be planted accordingly. It is interesting to note that even when fancy leaf geraniums flowers are not blooming, its leaves will stand out which on their own look like green flowers. Some important cultivars or breeds of fancy leaved geraniums are Mr. Henry Cox, Black Velvet Series, and Black Velvet Rose. Have a look on the picture of fancy leaved geraniums on the side.

Ivy Geraniums: Ivy geraniums look great in hanging baskets (see picture above). While planting ivy geraniums, they should be put in east-facing location to protect them from the hot sun in the afternoons.

The scientific name of ivy geranium is Pelargonium peltatum.

Some important cultivars of ivy geraniums for hanging baskets are Breakaway, Summer Showers Mix, (see pic on the side) and Martha Washington Geraniums.

Medicinal Benefits of Geraniums

Essential oil extracted out of geraniums helps in treatment of skin disorders like hemorrhoids, dermatitis, wounds, bruising, lacerations, oily skin and scalp, loose skin, and insect stings on skin. Geranium essential oil is good for wiping out wrinkles. Geraniums are beneficial to get rid of acne. Application of geranium flower oil leaves our skin looking radiant, young, and healthy.

Geraniums for endocrine system: Geranium essential oil helps in treatment of menopause and postmenstrual syndrome in the form of baths, massage, and local application.

Geraniums for excretory system: Geranium oil is good treating fluid retention nad cellulites. It works as a tonic for the liver.

Geraniums for circulatory system: Geranium essential oil helps in treatment of bleeding, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins in the form of baths, local area massage, and general dilution.