Pelargoniums [scented geraniums] were discovered in the 17th century in South Africa.Now there are over 250 known varieties of Geranium, grown throughout the world. Unlike many other floral fragrances, the distillation process for Geranium essential oil uses the leaves of the plant, not the flowers themselves. The velvety leaves of the plant contain thousands of microscopic hairs, each one housing a tiny drop of essential oil.