Palmarosa oil is extracted from Cymbopogon martini of the Gramineae family and can also be known as East Indian and Turkish geranium.

The main growing areas in India are said to be the wetlands in the provinces of India, as well as Nepal. It is a slow growing grass which flowers over a 3 months period. Only the flower can be harvested.

The botanical name for the source of palmarosa oil is Cymbopogon martinii, which belongs to the grass family Poaceae (Graminae).This grass grows fairly tall, ranging from (1.3–3m) in height with a pale green colour and a strong thin stem. This crop grows slowly, taking 3 months to flower; once it has flowered, it can beharvested. It received the name palmarosa from the sweet-smelling floral rose aroma it gives off.It is widely used for rose smelling perfumes and cosmetics around the world.