Petitgrain and neroli both come from the bitter orange tree, but from different parts of it — neroli is distilled from the blossoms and smells delicately floral and honeyed, while petitgrain comes from the leaves and twigs and smells greener, more bitter and distinctly woody.

Same Tree, Very Different Character

Neroli’s floral, slightly sweet and honeyed quality makes it a favourite in soft, elegant citrus and floral compositions, while petitgrain’s sharper, more rustic green-woody profile gives it a different job entirely — often adding a fresher, more grounded citrus-wood backbone rather than a delicate floral top note.

Why Neroli Costs So Much More

The price difference between the two is significant, and it comes down to yield: producing neroli requires an enormous quantity of orange blossoms, harvested by hand during a short flowering season, whereas petitgrain is distilled from leaves and twigs that are far more abundant and easier to source year-round. That scarcity is a large part of why neroli carries a premium that petitgrain does not. Our guide to fragrance notes covers both in more depth, part of the complete guide to perfume.