How do you care for a potted citronella plant?
Check soil moisture every few days and water when the top inch becomes dry. For abundant blooms, feed regularly with a water-soluble plant food. Once mature, prune citronella as necessary and enjoy the fragrant leaves and flowers in summer arrangements.
Do citronella plants need a lot of water?
Just water them deeply when the soil dries. They do well in full or part sun. Indoor Mosquito plants should be kept near a sunny window, preferably a south or west facing window. When indoors allow the soil to dry before watering thoroughly.
Does citronella do well in shade?
Citronella is a member of the geranium family, and is not to be confused with true citronella grass, which is in the genus Cymbopogon, along with lemongrass, and is not shade tolerant.
Do citronella grow back every year?
It is a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. In other areas, it is grown as an annual because it dies back during winter. Citronella grass grows best in full sun and is propagated by clump division.
Where should I place my citronella plant?
Place your citronella plant in full sun or a partially shaded area that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. Citronella geraniums will survive outdoors year-round as a perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b through 11—i.e. much of the West Coast, the Southwest, and the Southeast of the United States.
Do citronella plants really keep mosquitoes away?
Despite the claims made on “Mosquito Plants” (lemon-scented geranium or “citronella plant”) sold at big box stores, the plants themselves don't repel mosquitoes. It's the oil inside the leaves that have properties that can repel mosquitoes. You would have to crush the leaves to extract these oils.
Can you plant lavender and citronella together?
Citronella. Citronella has long been favored as one of the most effective plants that repel mosquitoes. Outdoor candles and bug sprays are often made with its oils. You can plant citronella grass right into your garden, and optimize its efficiency by planting it near other repelling plants, like lavender.
Can citronella be planted in the ground?
Citronella Citronella is a perennial 'clumping' grass which grows to a height of 5 – 6 feet. It can be grown directly in the ground in climate zones where frost does not occur. If grown in the garden or near the patio, it should be planted in the 'background', behind small decorative flowers and shrubs.
What bugs does citronella repel?
You're probably most familiar with citronella candles to repel mosquitoes, but the smell comes from a plant called Cymbopogon nardus, which gives off a distinct beach grass vibe. It's the oil from the plant that's actually the repellent, according to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC).
Is citronella toxic to dogs?
Citronella is toxic to pets Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don't have access to any citronella plants in your garden.
Do citronella plants spread?
Citronella plants summered outside grow rapidly, creating a lush plant within a few weeks. These heavy feeders require frequent watering to keep up with the rapid growth, but are likely to reach a height of 2 feet and spread to nearly that width during the summer.
What do I do with my citronella plant in the winter?
In cooler climes, your best bet is to plant citronella grass in pots that you can leave outdoors in summer and then bring inside once the weather turns cold. Since citronella prefers partial shade, find a space in your home that will provide enough sunlight to get your plants through the winter.
Most Known For as a Mosquito Plant
Citronella can act as a mosquito repellent, which most people think of when they hear that word. When crushed, the leaves release a citrus-scented oil that deters bugs like mosquitos. Citronella oil is in natural insect repellents, insect repellent candles, essential oils, and more. That is why a mosquito plant is a common name for this plant.
What Types of Citronella are There?
There are two types of citronella that look pretty different from each other.
What Soil Works Best for Citronella?
Citronella plants do best with moist soil. When growing in a pot, use a nutrient-rich, well-draining potting soil mix. It is crucial to pot citronella plants with well-draining potting soil and suitable drainage holes. Don’t allow the plant to sit in water since that can create root rot.
How Much Sunlight Does a Citronella Plant Need?
A citronella plant enjoys plenty of sunlight. They want around six hours of sunlight per day and a little bit of afternoon shade.
What Temperature Works Best for a Citronella Plant?
Citronella plants do best at temperatures between 60 and 70degrees Fahrenheit. They do not do well with cold.
Do Citronella Plants Enjoy Humidity?
Citronella plants can live in a wide range of humidity levels, but they do best with humid environments. Consider placing the plant in a bathroom that has a shower. You can also mist your plant in between waterings or use a humidity tray under the pot.
How Often Should You Water a Citronella Plant?
Citronella plants like a deep watering every week or two. If the plant is in direct sunlight, you will need to water it more often. Don’t let the soil completely dry out and keep the top inch of soil moist but never wet.
Factors to Consider Before Growing Citronella
Regardless of the growth medium you’re using, here are some tips you need to consider when growing the citronella plant.
How to Use Citronella Oil
The most common use for citronella plant extracts is as a natural insect repellent.
Caring for the Citronella Plant
Citronella plants don’t require much maintenance, meaning that you can grow them if you don’t have a green thumb.
What Are the Alternatives to Citronella?
Whether you intend to enjoy the pleasant fragrance or you’re looking to repel annoying insects and pests while relaxing in your garden, most people like using citronella products.
Wrapping Up
Citronella plants are a practical, natural way of keeping mosquitoes and other insects away.
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What is the best soil for a citronella plant?
A loamy soil pH of 6.5 is best. Add plenty of organic matter to the soil before planting. Citronella needs plenty of water and nutrients but likes well-draining soil to avoid wet roots. If you live in a wet climate, plant on a ridge so the soil naturally drains.
What is the color of citronella?
Varieties of Citronella. True citronella plant is a clumping grass similar to lemongrass. It’s a deep green color, often with a pink or purple hue at the base of the leaves. There is another plant sold as citronella, but it is actually a scented geranium, Pelargonium citrosum.
How tall is Cymbopogon citratus?
It’s is popular in cooking, can also be used to repel mosquitos and for its essential oil. It gets about 4 feet tall.
How big does Citronella grass grow?
Citronella grass can grow to 6 feet in the right conditions and 3 feet wide, so they need a big spot in the garden. Work in plenty of organic matter into the soil and dig in a well-balanced fertilizer a week before planting or transplanting. Dig a hole twice the width of the root system.
How to propagate citronella?
Propagating From Division. In late fall, trim back all leaves and then dig the citronella plant. To do this, carefully dig down and expose the roots of the plant. Gently loosen the dirt from around the roots and lift the entire thing out of the soil. Cut the roots into equal pieces and plant in pots.
How tall does cilantro grow?
It’s easy to move the plant around with the sun as the seasons change and to move inside if you live in cooler areas. Citronella grass grows up to 6 feet tall depending on the variety, so the container helps keep it to a more manageable size.
Where can I find citronella grass?
Traditionally cultivated in tropical areas of Asia, citronella grass is a beautiful addition to the home garden that can help keep blood-sucking mosquitos and annoying whiteflies at bay. It can also be used to make citronella essential oil.
How much sunlight does a citronella plant need?
Care for the Citronella plant, like many other plants, requires no less than six hours of sunlight per day. Even though they require up to six hours a day of sunlight, it doesn’t necessarily require direct sunlight. One of the most beautiful aspects of the Citronella plant is that it is able to survive in shade, as well as direct sunlight.
What is a citronella plant?
Citronella Plant – Besthomegear.com. The “Real Citronella plant” commonly called the Mosquito plant, is actually a Citronella “Grass” plant. Citronella is also referred to as Lemongrass. It looks like this image to the left: It’s a beautiful, ornamental grass that is also highly used in Asian Medicinal and Food recipes.
How big does a citronella plant grow?
Citronella plants can grow quite large (anywhere between two and four feet in height), and because of this, you are going to have to prune them. Pruning the plant will allow the beautiful lavender blooms to show themselves, creating the scenic blossom and heavenly fragrance that Citronella plants are so well known for.
When did the Citronella myth start?
The Citronella Myth Origins. In 1984 a man by the name of Dirk Van Leenen began developing a plant that he said would eradicate mosquitoes for your backyard. In the early ’90s his “miracle plant” finally caught worldwide attention, and the mosquito plant was born.
Is Citronella worth buying?
Nearly all of us who have these plants still need to take other measures to keep mosquitoes away. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth the investment.
Does citronella keep mosquitoes away?
Over the years many people have touted that the Citronella plant is capable of keeping mosquitoes away. And although this isn’t totally false (the citronella oil extracted from crushing the leaves acts as a mosquito repellant), it may not be the miraculous anti-mosquito plant botanists have claimed it to be.
Is Citronella a Geranium?
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any reason to get some of these plants, as they really are quite beautiful. Just be aware that the most common “Citronella” plants sold at the big box stores are actually a Citronella “Geranium”, which is shown in our photo above – the image with “pink flowers”.
How long can you put a citronella plant in direct sunlight?
This is not the case for Citronella plants. In fact, you can put them in direct sunlight for about six hours each day.
What are the basic requirements for a citronella plant?
Caring for a plant can be tricky. To avoid any hassle, we’ve compiled all of the basic requirements such as soil, light, humidity, and many more. Take these into account and you’ll have a thriving Citronella on your hands!
How to propagate a Citronella plant?
Most agree that this is the easiest way in which to propagate a Citronella plant. Step 1: Choose a healthy specimen that you wish to replicate. Step 2: Locate a branch and make an incision so that the end of the plant and at least three nodes are present. This should be roughly three to five inches in length.
How tall does a citronella plant grow?
Don’t underestimate them, however, as they will quickly take over the patio. Individuals kept outdoors can reach a height of two or three feet, with a four-foot spread.
How to preserve lemony scent of Citronella?
Fertilizer. Those who want to preserve the lemony scent of their Citronella plant should pay attention to how much fertilizer they are adding. Too much will leave your plant smelling less than fragrant. For every square foot of soil, you should add about a large tablespoon of fertilizer.
Do cilantro plants need water?
As a grass species, the Citronella plant needs a good deal of water in order to thrive. But, how much will turn your fragrant flowers into a decaying display? Read on and find out the right way to tackle your watering schedule.
Can you grow a citronella indoors?
Growing a Citronella plant indoors is an easy feat, even for those who lack a green thumb! That does not mean, however, that you shouldn’t be aware of the potential problems that can exist. Sudden changes in any variable such as temperature, moisture, sunlight, or more can have negative impacts on your Geranium.
What is the scent of citronella?
In fact, you may even have one sitting out on the patio right now. This well-loved plant is essentially prized for its citrusy scent, which is thought to hold mosquito-repelling properties.
Can mosquito plants be grown indoors?
Growing and caring for mosquito plants is easy. And even though it may not be an actual mosquito repellent plant, it makes an ideal plant both indoors and out. Hardy year-round in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9-11, in other climates, the plant can be grown outdoors during the summer but should be taken inside before the first frost.
