how to use citronella plant

To make a citronella-based repellent, you must extract the oils, which can be done simply by crushing the plant leaves. You can rub it directly on the skin or make large quantities of the concentrate for later use. Both, when applied on the skin or clothes can help repel moquitoes for up to 12 hours.

What can I do with my citronella plant?

Oil from this citronella grass is extracted commercially and used to make products like citronella candles, incense and sprays. Most researchers say they're effective, natural mosquito deterrents, at least to some extent. Citronella grass by itself won't repel mosquitoes.

How do you use citronella plant for mosquitoes?

The oils in citronella grass plant are what repel mosquitoes. However, the plant does not release the oils when it is just growing in a spot. For the mosquito-repelling oils to be useful, they need to be extracted, or you can simply crush or press the grass blades and rub them directly on clothes or skin.

Can citronella plant be eaten?

Citronella geraniums are edible, yes! This plant is part of the (edible) geranium family. Both the flowers and leaves are scented, and both are edible. For this citronella syrup, we're using the leaves (not the flowers).

Can you rub citronella plant on your skin?

Because the plant releases its smell when touched, it is thought to work best as a repellent when the leaves are crushed and rubbed on the skin as mosquitoes are supposed to be offended by its citronella scent. However, research has shown that this mosquito repellent plant is actually ineffective.

Are Citronella plants toxic to humans?

When applied to the skin: Citronella oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin as an insect repellent. It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people. When inhaled: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to inhale citronella oil. Lung damage has been reported.

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.

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

Does citronella spray repel mosquitoes?

Citronella is naturally occurring oil that repels insects. ... “Citronella oil is repellent to mosquitoes to a degree, but the amount being put out by a candle isn't going to be very effective,” Eric Hoffer, president of Hoffer Pest, told TODAY Home.

Do lavender plants repel mosquitoes?

Lavender. Lavender can repel flying insects like mosquitos, moths, and flies. The flower's perfume is well-known, and while it will scent the air, the most effective way to use it for pest control is to rub the plant on your skin to release its oils.

What happens if you drink citronella oil?

When aspirated into the lungs, citronella oil fuel coats delicate tissues with toxic vapors, causes chemical pneumonia, and can trigger fatal pulmonary arrest. As this incident illustrates, it is especially dangerous when ingested by small children.

What happens if you eat citronella?

Oil of citronella can be mildly irritating to the skin and eyes. It may also cause skin allergies for some people with prolonged or frequent exposure. If eaten, people may cough or experience throat irritation.

Can you burn citronella leaves?

Most of us have burned citronella candles before, but a lot of people don't realize the summer staple takes its name from a plant. You can burn citronella leaves in an outdoor fire for a similar effect, as well as bark from a cedar tree.

Should I trim my citronella plant?

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.

Is citronella perennial or annual?

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. In other zones, they can be brought inside during the winter or left outside as an annual.

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 citronella plant poisonous 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.

Can citronella kill dogs?

They are all natural, but that does not mean they are safe. Citronella in large quantities can kill humans, and in relatively smaller quantities it is dangerous to animals of all types. ... That being said, a citronella collar uses very little. Just enough to make your dog unhappy.

Is citronella safe to use indoors?

Burning citronella candles indoors is not recommended, according to Life123. The scent emitted by citronella can be very difficult to remove from indoor fabrics, and the candles emit a secondary organic aerosol particulate into the air which can cause difficulty breathing and headaches.

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.

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.

What do you do with a citronella plant in 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.