When you’re looking for a mosquito plant that not only adds beauty to your garden but also provides a wonderful deterrent against pests, citronella is the perfect choice. This medium green plant, with its lacy leaves and citrus fragrance, is a member of the geranium family, making it an ideal addition to your summer garden. The fragrance released from crushed leaves is quite lemony, and it has been known to repel mosquitoes when the oil from the leaves is rubbed onto the skin. Its unique ability to discourage mosquitoes makes it a fantastic natural pest deterrent, and placing it in a large mixed container or along your summer border will add good looks and a lovely aroma to your outdoor spaces.
The plant grows upright, reaching a moderate height that allows it to blend seamlessly into your garden composition. The plant’s contrasting textures and fresh green foliage work beautifully in a summer border, providing a refreshing backdrop to other plants. If you’re looking to combine form and function, growing citronella near seating areas or doorways will help you create a space that both looks good and keeps unwanted mosquitoes at bay.
While citronella is a popular choice for its pest-repellent properties, its texture and appearance also make it a standout plant for any garden, whether you’re planting it in the ground or in a large mixed container for added mobility.
Citronella Plant Benefits
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Insect Repellent | Citronella plants produce a potent oil that repels mosquitoes, flies, and ticks, making them a natural alternative to chemical repellents. |
| Antimicrobial Properties | The oil has the ability to fight bacteria, fungi, and viruses, aiding in the treatment of skin infections and wounds. |
| Anti-inflammatory Effects | Reduces swelling, pain, and irritation, especially useful for arthritis, muscle strains, and soothing insect bites. |
| Aromatherapy Benefits | The fragrant scent of citronella helps improve mood, reduce stress, and promote relaxation when used in diffusers or bath products. |
| Digestive Aid | Stimulates digestion, reduces gas, relieves stomach cramps and nausea, and aids in detoxification through sweating and urination. |
| Environmental Benefits | Reduces the need for chemical pesticides, combats pollution, and attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which manage pest populations. |
| Immune System Boost | Helps in boosting the immune system, preventing the spread of fever and colds. |
| Flavoring | Adds a refreshing flavor to food and drinks. |
| Precautions | Citronella oil should be used in diluted form when applied topically, especially for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult a healthcare professional. |
Types of Citronella Plants
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Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus & Cymbopogon winterianus)
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True source of citronella oil
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Produces a strong citrusy fragrance that repels mosquitoes and other pests
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Ideal for creating a natural, chemical-free repellent
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Best suited for large garden spaces or containers
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Citronella Geranium (Pelargonium citrosum)
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Known as scented geranium
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Offers a similar aroma to citronella grass but without producing citronella oil
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Still effective in deterring pests due to its scent
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Works well in decorative garden beds or smaller containers
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Both types provide excellent pest-repelling benefits, but Citronella Grass is more potent due to its higher oil content.
Quick Guide to Growing Citronella
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Plant in Spring: Wait until the chances of frost have passed and the weather is warm.
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Space: Ensure the plant has 18 to 24 inches of space to grow.
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Partial Shade: Choose a location with partial shade, especially in hot climates.
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Soil: Plant in fertile, well-drained soil. If needed, improve native soil with aged compost or organic matter.
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Soil Moisture: Keep the soil moisture consistent by watering when the top inch of soil feels dry.
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Feeding: Feed regularly with water-soluble plant food for healthy growth and abundant blooms.
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Pruning: Prune to maintain shape and encourage fragrant leaves and flowers.
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Mature Plants: As the plant matures, it will make a great addition to summer arrangements due to its fragrance and appearance.
Citronella Plant Care
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Low-Maintenance: Requires minimal effort when planted in the right conditions.
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Plant in Spring: After the last frost, giving it time to establish.
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Space: Provide 12 to 18 inches of space for growth.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained soil, such as a mix of loamy soil, sandy soil, with compost, peat moss, or perlite.
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Soil Moisture: Keep soil slightly moist, but avoid standing water.
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Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
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Sunlight: Needs at least six hours of direct morning sunlight, but should be in shade during the afternoon.
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Fertilizer: Feed with fertilizer to support young plants or potted plants.
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Cool Environment: Keep it in a cool area away from extreme heat.
Planting
When planting citronella, it’s important to choose a pot that’s at least 12 inches deep and twice as wide as the root ball to allow for proper growth. Make sure the pot has good drainage, so potting soil mixed with sphagnum moss and sand helps the soil drain well. If you’re in cooler growing zones, set the plants outside only when overnight temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For garden planting, dig holes 18 to 24 inches apart, ensuring each root ball is buried one foot deep in fertile, well-draining loam. You can amend soil with compost or other organic material to improve its fertility and structure.
If you’re starting from seeds, sow them in the ground with a light sprinkling of soil, making sure the seeds are lightly covered. The soil should be warm, especially in spring, as citronella prefers warm soil to germinate. Seeds should sprout in one to two weeks, and you can plant them once the final frost has passed and the soil is fully warmed. Whether in a pot or directly in the garden, ensuring proper spacing and well-amended soil will give your citronella the best start.
Light
Citronella plants thrive with at least six hours of full sunlight daily. In southern growing zones, providing them with afternoon shade can help prevent stress while still allowing them to benefit from plenty of sunlight earlier in the day.
Soil
Citronella plants prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH level between 5.8 and 6.3. They thrive in sandy, chalky loam but can adapt to other soil types as long as it drains well. To ensure optimal health, mix your garden soil with compost, peat moss, and perlite to improve its structure and support healthy citronella plant growth. This well-draining soil mixture will encourage robust root development and vibrant plants.
Water
Citronella plants require consistent water to thrive, especially during the growing season. For potted plants, it’s essential to water regularly, checking if the top inch of soil feels dry before irrigating. If you’re growing in-ground plants, water them regularly but reduce the frequency once they are established, typically once every other week. Garden-grown citronella plants may not need as much water, but if you notice leaf tips or edges turning brown or crispy, it’s a sign to increase watering, switching to once a week during drier periods.
Temperature and Humidity
The citronella plant thrives in cool sun but needs afternoon shade to protect it from the heat in southern zones. While it’s hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, extended periods of excessively high temperatures or freezing can cause damage. Ideal humidity levels should be 40 percent or higher, as the plant benefits from the tropics-like conditions of its native area. In climates with fluctuating conditions, maintaining proper humidity can help your citronella plant grow strong and healthy.
Fertilizer
For optimal growth, citronella plants benefit from a balanced fertilizer, like liquid NPK 20-20-20. If you’re growing young plants or potted plants, it’s best to dilute the fertilizer to half strength and feed plants once every two to three weeks. As your mature citronella plants grow, you’ll find they don’t require much fertilizing—too much can even be harmful, so reduce feeding frequency accordingly to maintain their health.
How to Grow Citronella From Seed
Citronella can be easily grown from seed, but if you’re looking for a quicker option, a potted nursery plant may be a better choice. Seeds can be purchased and sown in a well-prepared seed tray, though it may take longer to see results compared to starting with a mature plant.
Start Seeds Outdoors
To start seeds outdoors, wait until the ground is warmed and all risk of final frost has passed, usually about two weeks after the final frost in your growing zone. Choose an outdoor location that gets at least six hours of sun daily, and scatter seeds evenly on the soil, covering them lightly. Keep the soil moist to aid germination. Once the seedlings reach 1 inch tall, thin garden plants to 18 inches apart to allow room for growth.
Start Seed Indoors
To start seeds indoors, fill small 4-inch pots or a seed-starting tray with a lightly moistened potting mix made from equal parts potting soil, sphagnum moss, and sand—this creates a good combination for healthy seedling development. Scatter several seeds on top of the medium, then cover lightly with a thin layer of soil. Use a plastic dome or covering to aid germination, placing the pots in a warm, sunny spot. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings begin to emerge. Once they do, remove the plastic and thin plants, leaving only one or two per pot. As the seedlings grow, you may need to transfer them to larger pots for continued growth.
Pruning
To encourage a bushy growth and a full shrubby appearance, it’s important to regularly pinch the growing tips of your citronella plants during the growing season. This simple act helps stimulate lateral branching, ensuring your plants become dense and robust.
Propagating Citronella
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Most common way to propagate is through cuttings.
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Use garden snips to cut a stem with at least four leaves and new growth.
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Remove the top two leaves, leaving the leaf nodes at the base of the stem.
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Place the cutting in a small 4-inch pot with well-draining potting mix.
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Optionally, dip the cutting in rooting hormone to encourage faster root growth.
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Create a hole in the soil with your index finger or a pencil and insert the cutting upright.
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Tamp the soil around the base and cover with a plastic dome or plastic covering to retain humidity.
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Keep in a sunny location, ensuring the soil stays moist.
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After one month, check for roots by gently pulling—if you feel resistance, roots have formed.
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Once roots have established, transfer to a larger pot or your garden.
Potting and Repotting Citronella
For citronella plants, especially in cooler growing zones, it’s important to select a pot that is large enough to accommodate the mature size of the plant, which can reach 2 feet tall and wide. When repotting, choose a container that is at least 12 inches deep and twice the width of the rootball. Use a light potting mix that drains easily to prevent waterlogging, and consider using a clay pot or ceramic pot for good drainage. If you plan to overwinter indoors, make sure the container is large enough to keep the plant thriving during colder months.
In the case of annuals or plants being grown in containers, repotting is needed when the plant outgrows its space. Citronella is drought tolerant, but it still requires adequate space to grow properly. When moving the plant, ensure the new container is well-sized to support its growth, allowing the roots to spread freely and the plant to flourish.
Overwintering
If you’re growing container-grown citronella plants, they can be moved inside to protect them from nighttime temperatures dropping below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Place them in a warm, sunny window where they can still receive adequate light. Before bringing them indoors, remove any dead leaves and damaged leaves, and prune stems back by one-third, making cuts just above a leaf node. During the winter months, irrigate deeply, but less frequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Feed citronella plants once or twice during the winter with liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, to keep them healthy and support their growth.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Citronella plants can be prone to sap-sucking pests like whitefly, aphids, weevils, leafhoppers, and mealybugs. These pests can damage the plant by feeding on the leaves and weakening its structure. To keep your plant disease-free, regularly inspect for signs of infestation and address them quickly. If pests are discovered early, use a strong spray of water to eliminate them or apply insecticidal soap with repeat applications as needed. Scented geraniums, like citronella, can also be susceptible to fungal diseases such as root rot and crown rot, which are often caused by standing water or soil that does not appropriately drain. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent rot, and if your plant becomes infested, it might be best to repot using fresh planting material.
How to Get Citronella to Bloom
The citronella plant is a tropical perennial herb primarily cultivated for its mosquito-repelling properties, often for essential oil extraction. It’s typically grown in areas like India and the southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Gujarat, and West Bengal. To get your citronella plant to bloom, ensure it’s growing in warm, sunny conditions and is well cared for. Leaves are usually harvested to extract citronella oil through steam distillation, but the plant can bloom when it receives adequate sunlight, proper watering, and is grown in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. This oil is then used in various products, further highlighting the value of keeping your plant healthy.
What Do Citronella Plant Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The citronella plant produces small flowers that appear in clusters, each with five lavender-pink petals. These flowers resemble those of zonal geraniums, with a broad dark purple mark on the uppermost petals, giving them a subtle, yet striking, two-toned look. While the flowers themselves have a delicate appearance, their fragrance is not as intense as the plant’s foliage, which carries a strong, scented aroma. Interestingly, the flowers are unscented, unlike the plant’s leaves, which are known for their mosquito-repelling properties.
How to Encourage More Blooms
To encourage more blooms on your citronella plant, start by deadheading any spent flowers to redirect the plant’s energy into new growth. Additionally, pinch back the growing tips regularly throughout the season to promote a fullness in the plant and prevent it from becoming leggy. You can also apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at half-strength every three weeks to give the plant the nutrients it needs to support continued blooming. This will help ensure a steady flow of fresh flowers throughout the growing season.
Common Problems With Citronella
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Thin or Leggy Appearance
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Cause: Less than 6 hours of sunlight or inadequate light.
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Solution: Ensure at least 6 hours of sunlight and pinch back growing tips for bushier growth.
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Brown Leaf Tips or Edges
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Cause: Hot, dry periods or irregular watering.
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Solution: Water deeply and regularly, even during dry periods, to prevent the plant from drying out.
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Damping Off
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Cause: Cold damp soil, overwatering, or overcrowding.
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Solution: Space seedlings at least a foot apart, ensure good air circulation, and avoid overwatering.
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Troubleshooting
If your citronella plant starts to stretch and fall over, it’s likely not receiving enough light. To avoid this, make a mental note to give it more sun next year, ideally in a location where it can get plenty of direct sunlight. In the meantime, you can cut back the long branches or lanky branches to help bring back its shape and encourage a more compact, healthier plant. This simple step can prevent your citronella from becoming weak and sprawling.
Harvest and Storage
Citronella plants respond well to pruning, so regularly cut branches to encourage fresh growth. When harvesting, you can use the leaves and attached stems for inclusion in summer bouquets or simply to enjoy the fragrance while dining outdoors. The citronella’s fragrance makes it a welcome addition to any arrangement, blending beautifully with other floral scents. To store, cut one branch at a time, ensuring the cut is clean and the stem is long enough to hold up in a vase with water. This way, you can extend the life of your freshly harvested plant and enjoy its benefits both indoors and outdoors.
FAQS
How do you grow citronella for mosquitoes?
To grow citronella for mosquitoes, start by growing from seed. According to Awot, it’s best to plant the seeds in a fine seed starting mix, lightly covering them with 1/8 inch of soil. For optimal germination, provide bottom heat to encourage the seeds to sprout, and ensure the seedlings get at least 16 hours of light daily. Be careful not to overwater, as too much moisture can harm the young plants. Once established, these citronella plants will offer natural benefits, such as repelling mosquitoes, making them an ideal choice for your garden or outdoor spaces.
How long does it take for citronella to grow?
Citronella plants grow at a fast rate, reaching heights of 2-3 feet in a single season under the right conditions. If grown in warm climates with full sun, the plants will experience rapid growth, especially when given proper watering and six hours of direct sunlight daily. From cuttings, it can take about four to five weeks for the plants to establish and start growing, while seedlings typically emerge within 1-2 weeks. To maintain fast growth, ensure the soil dries out between waterings and feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during spring and fall to keep them healthy and thriving.