Add a delightful citrus fragrance to your garden with this easy-care scented geranium.
The scent of citronella plant is reminiscent of citronella grass(Cymbopogon nardus)or its cousin,lemongrass.
The citronella plant can also be grown as a houseplant.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
The citronella plant is toxic to humans and pets.
Where to Plant Citronella Plant
Citronella plant grows equally well infull sun or part shade.
In regions with intense summer heat, give it afternoon shade.
Credit: Laurie Black
A porch or patio that receives morning sunlight and some afternoon shade is perfect.
Plant it along a walkway where you are likely to brush up against the leaves.
Citronella plant only releases its refreshing, vibrant, lemony scent when its leaves are touched.
Pair it withfragrant herbsandperennialsto give your garden a complex, welcoming aroma.
Consider placing it in a south-facing kitchen or bathroom window.
Delay planting until after the danger of frost has passed andharden off the plantfor two weeks.
Doug Hetherington .
Dig a hole slightly wider, but just as deep as the plants root ball.
Remove the citronella plant from its container and ease apart the roots with your fingers.
Place the plant in the hole and backfill with the original soil.
Peter Krumhardt.
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Indoor-grown citronella plants can be potted at any time.
When buying a citronella plant, look for one with healthy, deep green leaves.
Jay Wilde.
If possible, gently remove the plant from the container and take a peek at the roots.
They should be bright white and just beginning to reach the edges of the container.
Avoid plants that have tightly matted roots.
Credit: Jerry Pavia
Citronella Plant Care Tips
The citronella plant is easy to care for and tolerates a little neglect.
Move potted plants to a sunnier location and check the shade around your in-ground citronella plants.
verify trees, shrubs, and structures arent blocking the sun.
Soil and Water
Like most scented geraniums, citronella plant preferswell-drained soiland tolerates dry soil.
Avoid wet or boggy growing areas because citronella plants may rot in soggy soil.
Water only when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch.
The plants are frost-tender and wont survive freezing temperatures.
To overwinter your citronella plant indoors, promptly move it inside when night temperatures dip to 45F.
Dont waitif citronella plants remain outside during cool nights, they will struggle to adjust to indoor growing conditions.
Fertilizer
Citronella, like other scented geraniums, doesnt require much fertilizer throughout the growing season.
Mix aslow-release granular fertilizerinto the soil at planting time to satisfy itsnutrient needs.
Its also wise to remove spent blooms as they appear.
In addition, citronella plants grown as perennials may benefit from occasional pruning to maintain a pleasing shape.
Leave at least a few strong sets of buds near the base of the leaves.
Plant your citronella plant in a container filled with fast-draining potting mix or equal amounts of peat and perlite.
Massage the roots to remove as much of the old soil as possible.
Set the plant aside.
Finish filling the container and gently tamp down the soil to secure the plant.
Water thoroughly and add more soil if necessary.
Water again and let the excess drain away.
In soggy soil, the plant may get root rot.
Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
To prevent fungal problems, ensure good air circulation by properly spacing plants apart and avoid overhead watering.
Propagation in Soil
Take 3- to 5-inch softwood cuttings in the spring from healthy new growth.
Remove all but the top few leaves and dip the cut end into arooting hormone.
Plant the cutting in a prepared pot of moist, well-draining potting soil.
Keep the cutting in a warm, bright location with lots of indirect light for 30 to 45 days.
Mist the leaves every few days.
Once the cutting has established roots, transplant it outdoors or to a larger container.
Propagation in Water
Geraniums alsoroot easily in water.
Place the container in a bright location withplenty of indirect sunlightand change the water every three to five days.
Beautyberry prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
It grows 3 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide.
The low-maintenance shrub is native to the southeastern United States and a popular addition to southern gardens.
Zone 5-10
Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtleis anothersouthern favoritethat comes in a brilliant array of colors.
It grows quickly and thrives in heat, sunshine, and humidity.
Like citronella plants, crape myrtles prefer locations with full sun and loamy, slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
In warm regions, the flowering shrub grows up to 25 feet tall.
These annuals fare best in full sun and well-drained soil.
They make cheerful additions to garden beds and borders and are excellent container plants.
In warm climates, it grows in the garden year-round.
In cool climates, it is grown as an annual or planted in containers andoverwintered indoors.
Lemongrass prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline.
Phlox is hardy in Zones 3-8 and a popular plant among pollinators.
Rosemary
Rosemaryis a hardworking perennial evergreen shrub known for its fragrance and flavor.
Like citronella plant, rosemary prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil and doesnt like overwatering.
Some cultivars grow easily into shrubs that are several feet tall.
Others are more compact and perfect for containers.
Zone 8-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Citronella plant is aperennial, but its onlyhardy in Zones 9-11.
In colder climates, treat your citronella plant as an annual.
Citronella plant is often stocked alongside the herbs in the garden center.
Sometimes, it is labeled as a mosquito plant.
No, they are different plants, although both are known for the potent scent of their leaves.
That depends on where you live.
In Zones 8 and colder, it is not frost-hardy and grows as an annual.
It must be replaced each year or moved inside for the winter.
“Geranium.“ASPCA.
“North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
