Are you wondering How to Take care of a Citronella plant? Maybe you’re thinking about growing a few of these Tropical grass-looking plants and need to know how to plant Citronella before you begin.
Today’s article concerns Citronella Plant Care, specifically, How to care for Citronella plants.
How do you grow them, why should you grow them, and how do you care for them after you get them home? You may also be interested in knowing whether citronella plants are perennials.
The answer is yes—in USDA plant zones 9b-11, it should come up every year, and in other colder climate zones, it is either removed, left in the ground to die, or moved indoors to enjoy the winter season.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any reason to get some of these plants, as they are pretty beautiful.
Just be aware that the most common “Citronella” plants sold at the big box stores are Citronella “Geraniums,” the plant shown in our lead photo (above) with the “pink flowers.”
What Does A Citronella Plant Look Like?
The “Real” Citronella plant, also called the Mosquito plant, is a Citronella “Grass” plant. Due to its fragrance, citronella is also referred to as Lemongrass.
The Grass plant looks like this image to the left: It’s a beautiful, ornamental grass that is also highly used in Asian Medicinal and Food recipes.
This is a highly fragrant plant, and the same Citronella is used in candles and Essential oils. So, whatever name you refer to, this is the real deal, and it holds its own despite lacking a pink or lavender bouquet.
How Do You Care for Citronella Plants?
This probably won’t surprise anyone who has taken elementary science classes. Still, the citronella plant needs sunlight, food, and water (come to think of it, plants aren’t all that different from us).
Are birds eating your grass seed? Please read how to keep them off your grass here!
But, of course, plants aren’t all created equally. You’ve got to care for each one separately, and very few of them have the exact needs.
Thankfully, these lemony plants aren’t nearly as picky as many other breeds, making them perfect plants for almost any household, even if you don’t have anywhere to put them outside.
How To Grow Citronella Plants (FAQ)
Where Do Citronella Plants Grow Best?
Citronella is one of the most versatile plants to grow. It can flourish indoors and outdoors, making it a great year-round plant that survives in many climates.
However, if you want them to be around when springtime rolls around, they should be brought inside before the winter frost begins to hit.
How Much Sun Does a Citronella Plant Need?
As we all know, plants need the sun to grow and synthesize. Without sunlight, they wither and die. Like many other plants, the Citronella plant requires at least six hours of sunlight daily for proper care.
Even though they require up to six hours of sunlight daily, they don’t necessarily need direct sunlight.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Citronella plant is that it can survive in the shade and direct sunlight.
How Do You Prune Citronella?
Citronella plants can grow large (between two and four feet tall), so they must be pruned.
Pruning the plant will allow the beautiful lavender blooms to show themselves, creating the scenic blossom and heavenly fragrance that Citronella plants are well-known for.
It would be best to prune these plants in late winter and early spring to achieve the perfect shape and beautiful blooms.
It would be best if you also pinched off any yellow or dead foliage on the plant. This will stimulate growth.
Pruning these plants is also essential because they are typically placed along entrance walkways and patios. Nobody wants plants spilling over into their line of travel.
What Type of Food Do Citronella Plants Require?
Plants are just like us; they need food just as we do. If you want your new Citronella plant (or plants) to grow to its maximum potential, you can’t skimp on prices regarding the soil you purchase.
The fastest-growing type of fertilizer for these plants – and this rings true for all plants – is 5-10-15 fertilizer.
This means the fertilizer is 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 5 % potassium. You can also use 10-10-10 if you’d like to.
Of course, you’ll want to water the soil, too. But ensure you water around the plant (especially as it is in its infancy) to prevent the water from damaging the foliage.
Where Should You Plant Citronella?
As mentioned earlier, one of the best things about the Citronella plant is that it can survive almost anywhere. It looks great near walks, porches, and gardens.
Whether you keep them indoors or out, this plant will thrive wherever you put it. It can also make for an attractive hedge in your landscape beds.
How Do You Plant Citronella “Indoors”?
When Planting your Citronella plant inside, you will likely use a pot. But, because these plants can grow so large, you must get a large pot for your new plant.
It is recommended that you get a container ranging anywhere from 8 inches to 12 inches high.
You will want to fill the container halfway through using high-quality potting soil.
The reasoning is that it provides the plant with all the necessary nutrients. The large pot will allow the plant enough room to grow, let the roots spread out, and keep the plant healthy.
Put the plants in the container so the Citronella root is a couple of inches below the top, keeping it at the same depth as when you pulled it out of its original pot.
Next, ensure you water the soil enough to press it together. This eliminates any air pockets and keeps the roots appropriately fed throughout their life cycle, ensuring they won’t become saturated when watering the plant.
Lastly, you must ensure that you put your newly potted plant in an area of the house with plenty of sunlight.
Remember, citronella plants require 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily or will not grow properly.
How Do You Plant Citronella Outdoors?
Planting In a Garden is the best place to grow Citronella. I don’t enjoy having plants inside the house – that thrive incredibly well outside. This is especially true for plants growing up to 4 feet tall, like citronella.
When you place your citronella plant outside in your garden, you should find a place that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
If possible, put it in a place that receives sunlight in the morning. This helps prevent the plant from being scorched by the afternoon sun.
Dig a hole in your garden at the same depth as the pot the plant came in.
This means that the root ball of the Citronella plant needs to be planted at the same depth in your garden as in the original pot.
Tip: If you are planting multiple Citronella plants, ensure they are at least eight inches apart. Failing to do this will put the plants in direct competition with each other, and once the roots start to take hold, they will either kill one another or not reach their full potential.
Next, you’ll need to put roughly two inches of organic compost around the plant (remember, 5-10-5 slow-release fertilizer is best for these plants). Make sure you follow the packaging instructions while planning.
This ensures you have the correct room for the roots to “breathe,” allowing the plant to grow to its full potential.
Water the soil around the plants. This compacts the soil around the root and keeps air pockets from forming. Of course, you won’t want to allow the soil to dry once you have planted them.
The Citronella Myth (Mosquito Plant?)
We touched on this earlier in the post, but the idea of Citronella plants as mosquito repellant is large enough to warrant a section in today’s post.
These plants are often touted as the best way to keep mosquitoes away. This myth has been around for so long that people have even begun to call this plant the “mosquito plant.”
The idea is that while humans love the citrusy scent of plants, mosquitoes cannot stand their smell. It sounds like the perfect solution to the peskiest problem in the warm months of the year.
The Citronella Myth Origins
In 1984, a man named Dirk Van Leenen began developing a plant that he said would eradicate mosquitoes from your backyard. In the early ’90s, his “miracle plant” finally caught worldwide attention, and the mosquito plant was born.
Subsequently, people began to test this plant to see if it did what it claimed to do.
Many claimed the plant worked; one greenhouse owner purchased roughly 50 plants for his annual Fourth of July party.
After the party, he stated, “Historically, people are eaten alive. This year, nobody complained at all about the insects.”
This claim sounds legitimate enough. That is, until you realize he is merely trying to sell his plants.
Which Plants Do Repel Mosquitos?
The Ten Best Mosquito Repelling Plants Are:
- Lavender
- Marigold
- Citronella Grass
- Catmint
- Rosemary
- Basile
- Citronella (Scented Geranium)
- Bee Balm
- Mint
- Sage
Which Plants Repel Mosquitoes (Video)
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Conclusion
Citronella plants are one of the most popular plants out there. And it isn’t because they are highly effective mosquito repellants.
Instead, it is because they are easy to care for, can flourish almost anywhere, and, most importantly, look and smell amazing.
Just keep watering the soil, give them six hours of sunlight each day, then add a little pruning, and you’ll enjoy the scent and scenery they provide in no time.
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References & Further Reading:
- Citronella Plants – Guide from GardenMyths.Com
- Mosquito repellent Effectiveness – By Plant Specie – American Museum of Natural History.Org
- How To Tell If Your Lawn Mower Spark Plug is Bad – BestHomeGear.com
- Grow Your Mosquito Repellent Plants – Prevention.com
- How long does grass seed take to grow fully? – BestHomeGear.Com
- How To Get Rid Of Ants In Your Home – BestHomeGear.Com
Photo Credits: Forest and Kim Starr, Enrique Dans, Erik F. Brandsborg via Flickr CC, See the CC License.
