Citronella Plant Growing And Caring For Mosquito Plants

They are tolerable of a wide variety of soil as long as it's well draining. When growing mosquito plant geranium indoors, keep it watered and fertilize occasionally with an all purpose plant food. Outside the plant is fairly drought tolerant. Citronella plant typically grows anywhere between 2 and 4 feet (.

How do you take care of a citronella mosquito 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.

Does citronella plant like sun or shade?

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.

How do you keep citronella plants over the winter?

Wintering Indoors

You can move the potted citronella outside to a spot that receives full sun during the warmer spring to fall months once nighttime temperatures are regularly above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Then you can choose to bring the plant indoors to a sunny spot for the winter only.

Do you prune Citronella plants?

Keeping the foliage looking healthy and tidy with regular pruning can help with this. Citronella plants can reach 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1 meter) in height. ... The lacey, fragrant leaves also work well in summer floral bouquets so feel free to prune often. The stems also can be cut and dried.

How often should I water my citronella plant?

Citronella grass thrives in bright, filtered sunlight and needs moist, loamy soil. Citronella grass is very thirsty, so you may need to water as often as once a day. To make more plants for your garden, divide the grass into clumps and replant them in the spring.

Can you root citronella in water?

Citronella Geranium Cuttings

Softwood stem cuttings root more rapidly than semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings. Remove any blooms from the cuttings and all the leaves except for the top two. ... Keep the stem cuttings in water until you stick them in potting soil.

Is citronella plant toxic to dogs?

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.

Why are the leaves on my citronella plant turning yellow?

Citronella mosquito plants grow as tender perennials in USDA zone 7 and need winter protection. ... These plants do not tolerate overwatering. Too much water and the leaves begin to turn yellow before dropping off the stems. If unsure whether or not the mosquito plant needs water, then do not water.

Does citronella like full sun?

Growing and caring for mosquito plants is easy. These plants prefer at least six hours of sunlight every day whether it is planted outside or indoors near a window but can also tolerate some partial shade. ... They are tolerable of a wide variety of soil as long as it's well draining.

Can Citronella plants be left outside?

These plants are sensitive to cold and will die if they are exposed to frost. In warm climates where frost does not occur, citronella plants can remain outdoor year-round.

Is citronella plant toxic to humans?

"Citronella," a misnomer, is the name given for a class of lemony-scented grasses. No evidence has been found for human toxicity. The base chemical of the plant, citral, is categorically rated low, slightly toxic, not acutely toxic or not rated. True citronella is derived from drying the plant Cymbopogon nardus.

Why is my citronella plant dying?

A lack of light can also cause the leaves to turn brown: if the lower leaves are dying off while new growth at the branch tips appears to be reaching for the window or light source then you have insufficient light and you need to move the plant to a brighter window or supply supplementary light from a grow light.

Is Lemongrass the same as citronella grass?

Though citronella grass may sometimes be called lemongrass, they are two different plants. ... However, citronella grass has reddish colored pseudostems, while lemongrass is all green. The oils can be used similarly, though they are not exactly the same.

What plants will keep mosquitoes away?

12 Plants to Use as a Natural Mosquito Repellent

Lavender. Have you ever noticed that insects or even rabbits and other animals have never decimated your lavender plant? ...
Marigolds. ...
Citronella Grass. ...
Catnip. ...
Rosemary. ...
Basil. ...
Scented Geraniums. ...
Bee Balm.

Is citronella easy to grow?

The distinctive citronella aroma is a strong smell which masks other attractants to mosquitoes, making it harder for them to find you. ... 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.

What can you do with citronella leaves?

While citronella is best known for its insect-repellent properties, it can also be used in aromatherapy to eliminate fatigue, alleviate headaches and improve energy levels. Both the essential oil and the crushed leaves are effective, though the pure oil is a little stronger.

Can you grow citronella from clippings?

Citronella-scented geranium is easily propagated from stem cuttings. The cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches long, but more importantly they must have at least two leaf nodes -- the raised buds along the stem that leaves or new stems can grow from.

What are the benefits of citronella?

What are the benefits of citronella oil?

as an insect repellent.
as an antifungal agent.
to treat parasitic infections.
to promote wound healing.
to lift mood or fight fatigue.
in perfumes or as a flavor additive in food.

Why is citronella bad for dogs?

Besides having no mosquito-deterring citronella oil in it, as a member of the geranium family, they contain geraniol and linalool, both of which are highly toxic to dogs and could cause gastrointestinal distress.

What bugs does citronella repel?

List of pest-repelling plants

Plant	Pests
citronella grass	repels insects, may deter cats
citrosa	proven not to repel mosquitoes
clovers	repel aphids and wireworms
common lantana	repels mosquitoes

Is citronella oil safe for plants?

Citronella oil is also a plant-based insect repellent and has been registered for this use in the United States since 1948. The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers oil of citronella as a biopesticide with a non-toxic mode of action.