mosquito plant care

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 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 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.

Why is my mosquito 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.

How often should you water a citronella plant?

A good rule of thumb says it's best to water your citronella plant at least once a day, and In general, a citronella mosquito plant in good condition should use up to 30 inches of water per annum.

Should I cut back 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.

Can citronella grow in shade?

Check out citronella as a plant that repels mosquitoes. Citronella is known as the mosquito plant because the citronella scent is infused into many candles and sprays. ... This plant loves a little afternoon shade and rich, moist soil.

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.

Are Citronella plants poisonous 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.

What plant repels mosquitoes best?

Here are five of the most effective mosquito repelling plants which are easy to grow in most regions of the US.

Citronella. Citronella is the most common natural ingredient used in formulating mosquito repellents. ...
Horsemint. ...
Marigolds. ...
Ageratum. ...
Catnip.

How do you keep a mosquito plant alive?

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.

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.

How do you fertilize a citronella mosquito plant?

Citronella plants require neutral to alkaline soil. Geraniums require a ready source of nitrogen for optimum growth, so apply a 5-10-5 or 6-12-12 fertilizer before planting at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square feet of soil, or 1 heaping tablespoon per square foot.

Is citronella plant and lemongrass the same?

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.

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.

Do Citronella plants spread?

The citronella plant prefers warm weather. If allowed to grow outside in USDA zones 9 and 10, the plant may reach heights of 2 to 3 feet with a spread up to 4 feet.

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.

What can you do with citronella leaves?

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.

How do you preserve citronella leaves?

To overwinter citronella geraniums, pot up the plants in containers with drainage holes and fill them with good quality potting soil. Then bring them indoors and give them a spot in a sunny window or under a grow light. Move the plants back outside when the weather is reliably warm.

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.

Does lavender really repel mosquitoes?

Lavender

Crushed lavender flowers produce a fragrance and oil that can repel mosquitoes. An animal study on hairless mice found lavender oil to be effective at repelling adult mosquitoes.

Do lemongrass plants repel mosquitoes?

Lemongrass

This wonderful and bushy grass not only looks great on a patio or in the ground in your yard, but it also makes an excellent natural deterrent of mosquitoes. Citronella, the oil and main ingredient found in natural candles that repel mosquitoes, is found inside lemongrass.