Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses' (Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses')— schedule & NPK
Also called Attar of Roses geranium, Rose-scented pelargonium Attar of Roses.
More about pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'
About Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses'
Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses' · also called Attar of Roses geranium, Rose-scented pelargonium Attar of Roses · herb
'Attar of Roses' is a rose-scented geranium prized for the intense, sweet rose fragrance released when its soft, lobed leaves are brushed. A vigorous South African Pelargonium, it grows as a bushy tender perennial used for potpourri, flavouring and essential oil. It loves bright sun, well-drained gritty soil and dislikes wet roots and frost.
Growth habit: Vigorous, bushy, upright-then-spreading evergreen subshrub with soft, deeply lobed aromatic leaves and small pink flowers; benefits from regular pinching to stay dense.
Watch for — Weak or faded scent: Insufficient sun and overfeeding with nitrogen dilute the aromatic oils; give more direct light and a leaner, higher-potash feed.
What fertiliser pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' actually wants — and why
Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses' is a soft, fast leafy herb that you harvest hard — a modest balanced feed keeps tender growth coming without tipping it into bland or bolting.
A balanced general feed (even N-P-K) at modest strength — enough nitrogen to keep replacing the leaves you pick, but not so much that flavour thins or it bolts to seed.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses': match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses', and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses':
Feed every 2-4 weeks through spring and summer with a balanced or slightly high-potash liquid feed; a tomato-type feed encourages flowering. Stop feeding in autumn and winter. In practice: a balanced liquid feed every few weeks through the main growing and harvesting season (spring through early autumn), more often the harder you are picking it.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'
Half strength is a sensible default for pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' — enough to fuel regrowth after cutting, gentle enough that the leaves stay aromatic rather than watery.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses':
- Fast, soft, pale growth with diluted, less aromatic flavour.
- Early bolting (running to flower) and a bitter edge.
- Salt crust and scorched tips on container plants.
Signs you are under-feeding pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'
- Pale, slow regrowth after cutting and small leaves.
- A tired, stalled plant that cannot keep up with harvesting.
- Yellowing older leaves in a long-spent pot.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Pot-grown pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' builds up feed salts quickly — water until it drains each time and flush the pot with plain water every few weeks, especially on a sunny windowsill.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'
Organic options
A diluted seaweed feed or worm-casting tea keeps soft growth coming without overdoing it. UK: dilute seaweed or Westland; US: Espoma Garden-tone or Neptune's Harvest. Gentle, hard to overdo, flavour-friendly.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A balanced liquid feed at half strength through harvesting — UK: Phostrogen, Baby Bio or Westland; US: Miracle-Gro all-purpose at half strength. Fast regrowth; just do not overdo the nitrogen.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' need?
A balanced general feed (even N-P-K) at modest strength — enough nitrogen to keep replacing the leaves you pick, but not so much that flavour thins or it bolts to seed. Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses' is a soft, fast leafy herb that you harvest hard — a modest balanced feed keeps tender growth coming without tipping it into bland or bolting.
How often should I feed pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'?
Feed every 2-4 weeks through spring and summer with a balanced or slightly high-potash liquid feed; a tomato-type feed encourages flowering. Stop feeding in autumn and winter. Feed every 2-4 weeks through spring and summer with a balanced or slightly high-potash liquid feed; a tomato-type feed encourages flowering. Stop feeding in autumn and winter. In practice: a balanced liquid feed every few weeks through the main growing and harvesting season (spring through early autumn), more often the harder you are picking it.
What strength of feed for pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'?
Half strength is a sensible default for pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' — enough to fuel regrowth after cutting, gentle enough that the leaves stay aromatic rather than watery.
What does over-feeding pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' look like?
Fast, soft, pale growth with diluted, less aromatic flavour. Early bolting (running to flower) and a bitter edge. Salt crust and scorched tips on container plants. Over-feeding pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' with strong nitrogen is the usual mistake — it grows fast and lush but the leaves turn bland and it bolts to flower sooner, ending the useful harvest early.
Should I flush the soil of pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses'?
Pot-grown pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' builds up feed salts quickly — water until it drains each time and flush the pot with plain water every few weeks, especially on a sunny windowsill.
Keep reading
- Pelargonium graveolens 'Attar of Roses' care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water pelargonium graveolens 'attar of roses' — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise basil
- How to fertilise herb garden
- How to fertilise mint
- All 5561 fertilising guides in the Growli library