The Little-Known Plant To Add To Your Centerpiece That Has A Delicious Holiday Scent

You found the perfect tree and it's been adorned with lights and ornaments. The stockings are hanging from the garland-lined mantle and the house is filled with snow globes, snowmen, and of course, that sneaky little elf on a shelf. Everything is ready for holiday parties and family gatherings. But it seems like something is missing. It's lacking that feeling of walking into grandma's house and instantly smelling fresh gingerbread in the oven. Yes, that feeling. That's what's missing. But you don't have the time or the patience to bake cookies 24/7. If only there was an easy little plant you could set out that would send a cozy holiday scent wafting through the air. Well, it turns out, there is — and it's called a nutmeg-scented geranium.

Nutmeg-scented geraniums (Pelargonium x fragrans) are, unsurprisingly, geraniums that smell like nutmeg. They actually have tiny oil beads that sit at the base of the leaf hair that release the scent when brushed or rubbed. They have greenish-gray, crinkled leaves and grow small white flowers with red veins, making them great for nature-themed DIY holiday centerpieces and tabletop displays. These tender perennials don't need much maintenance and grow easily in containers with ample drainage holes and about 4 hours of sunlight a day, allowing its soil to dry out between waterings. Since they are only USDA hardy in zones 10 to 11, most grow them indoors during the winter season.

Nutmeg-scented geraniums are a fragrant plant that thrives indoors during winter, making it the perfect centerpiece option. Using a festive pot, you can simply add the plant to any table as-is for a simple, natural centerpiece. You don't have to make the plant go it alone, though. You can use its greenery in a bouquet with pops of red berries or poinsettia flowers. To make a chic, minimalist alternative to circular and square centerpieces, you can incorporate the scented leaves into a garland of holiday pine and run it down the middle of the table. Adding a few votive candles along the garland creates a warm, festive aesthetic for intimate dinner parties.

There are so many ways to use a nutmeg-scented geranium – whether you need an aromatic centerpiece or wish to tuck the freshly cut blooms into holiday displays around the house. Since the leaves are edible, you can even use them in desserts and beverages at your holiday gatherings to impress your Aunt Marge, who subtly mentions your less-than-stellar appetizers every year. Or you can make vinegars and jellies as unique party favors to leave a lasting impression on guests. When dried out, the leaves can be made into potpourri and used as a natural air freshener in the bathroom.