Mosquitoes are annoying pests that can spread serious diseases.
Some gardeners grow citronella plants to repel mosquitoes naturally instead of reaching for chemical sprays or bug zappers.
Its citrus-scented, scalloped foliage is accented by white, purple, or pink flowers from summer through fall.
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Citronella oil may irritate some people and/or cause allergic reactions.
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Do Citronella Plants Repel Mosquitoes?
Commonly called a mosquito plant, citronella is in the Geraniaceae family.
A member of the geranium family, citronella carries the fragrance of citrus in its foliage.Credit:Treehugger/Jordan Provost
Just how valid this is, we are not certain.
Citronella Care
Wait until all chance of frost has passed in the spring before planting citronellas outdoors.
Citronellas are hardy in USDA Zones 9b through 11 and are annuals in other regions.
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Light
Citronellas needsix to eight hours of suneach day, preferably cool morning sun and afternoon shade.
If you grow them as houseplants, give them a sunny window.
Citronella plants that start to look stretched out are probably trying to get more light.
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Move container-grown plants into a brighter spot.
Snip off any lanky stems to shape them up.
Soil
Citronellas adapt to a variety of well-drained soils but thrive in soil enriched with organic matter.
For potted citronellas, use an all-purpose container mix.
Water
Mosquito plants can tolerate some drought, but don’t let them dry out completely.
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Be sure potted plants have drainage holes and dump out any water that collects in saucers under them.
These plants do not do well in standing water.
Temperature And Humidity
Citronella plants prefer temperatures from 50 to 80 F and average to high humidity.
They wont withstand frost, but these plants can be brought indoors during winter.
Fertilizer
Feed your plants with an all-purpose plant food, following the product directions.
A water-solublehouseplant fertilizeris fine for indoor plants.
It is a perennial that clumps and grows up to 4 feet wide and 6 feet tall.
Pruning
Prune citronellas at any time.
Deadhead and pinch off small stems to encourage more blooms.
Save the branches for vases or use the leaves like edible geranium leaves.
Cuttings can be taken from fall through spring.
Take softwood cuttings in the spring if you want to grow from new growth.
Here are the methods:
it’s possible for you to also root non-woody cuttings in water.
Just plant them in a small glass of water instead of soil.
Again, remove all but the top leaves and give the cuttings bright, indirect light.
Togrow them from seed indoors, they need to start about 10-12 weeks before the last frost in spring.
Dig a hole about the same depth as and wider than the root ball, and add the plant.
For multiple plants, space them 12 to 18 inches apart.
Citronella plants likely wont need to be repotted more than once a growing season.
Overwintering
Citronella plants dont survive frost, so bring themindoors over the winter.
For plants in the ground, dig them up and plant in a pot.
Remove any dead foliage, and cut the plant back, making sure cuts are above a leaf node.
Let the plant dry out some between waterings.
How To Get Citronella To Bloom
Citronella plants have clusters of small pink and purple blooms.
The plants fragrance comes from its leaves, as the flowers are unscented.
The plant blooms year-round in warmer climates, and in colder climates it blooms spring through fall.
To encourage blooms, deadhead the flowers and pinch off small stems.
Every three weeks, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer thats reduced to half strength.
ensure plants have good drainage.
Give root-bound plants bigger pots.
Leggy Appearance
If your citronella plant looks thin and leggy, sunlight is often the culprit.
Let the soil dry out between waterings, and double-check the pot has adequate drainage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Citronella plants are perennials in Zones 9-11 and can remain outdoors year-round.
In cooler climates, they are annuals.
That can be indoors or in a garden.
Potted citronella can be brought indoors during winter and moved throughout the day if more sun is needed.
For others, skin irritation is not an issue, and it is safe to touch.
Colorado State University Extension.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Effectiveness of Citronella Preparations in Preventing Mosquito Bites: Systematic Review of Controlled Laboratory Experimental Studies.
National Library of Medicine.
Journal of Insect Science: Vol 17.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevent Mosquito Bites.
