Citronella Plant Vs Lemongrass

If you love fragrant plants, you’ve probably wondered about the citronella plant vs lemongrass. These two distinct plants share a lemony scent but serve very different purposes in your garden and kitchen. Knowing which is which can save you from a culinary mishap or help you plan a more effective mosquito-repelling garden. Let’s clear up the confusion right from the start.

Citronella plant is often sold as a “mosquito plant,” prized for its strong aroma. Lemongrass is a culinary staple in many Asian dishes, valued for its tender core. While they look similar and are related, mixing them up means you might end up with a bitter-tasting meal or a less effective natural pest solution. This guide will walk you through their differences, uses, and how to grow both successfully.

This heading isn’t just for SEO. It marks the core of our comparison. Here, we’ll break down the fundamental botanical and practical differences between these two popular plants. Understanding this distinction is the first step to using each one correctly.

Botanical Identity: They Are Not the Same

This is the most critical point. They come from different species, though they are cousins in the grass family.

Citronella Plant (Pelargonium citrosum): This is actually a type of scented geranium. It’s a perennial shrub in warm climates. The oils in its leaves contain citronellal, which is similar to the compound found in true citronella oil.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): This is a true grass, like the kind that makes up your lawn but much taller. It’s the source of the lemongrass oil used in cooking and aromatherapy. The culinary part is the soft, pale bulb at the base of the stalks.

Physical Appearance: A Side-by-Side Look

At a glance, they can be tricky. But a closer inspection reveals clear tells.

Citronella Plant Features

Growth Habit: Bushy and mound-forming, with woody stems.
Leaves: Deeply lobed, ruffled, and soft to the touch—typical of a geranium leaf. They are green and release their scent when crushed.
Flowers: Produces small lavender or pink blooms.
Height: Usually stays between 2 to 4 feet tall and wide.

Lemongrass Features

Growth Habit: Grows in dense clumps of upright, arching blades, like an ornamental grass.
Leaves: Long, slender, solid, and blade-like with sharp edges. They are blue-green to bright green.
Flowers: Rarely flowers in cultivation.
Height: Can grow 3 to 6 feet tall in a single season.

The Aroma Test: Crush and Sniff

The smell is the best giveaway. Tear a small piece of leaf and rub it between your fingers.

Citronella Plant: Smells strongly of citronella, like a mosquito candle. It’s sharp, pungent, and less lemon-like.
Lemongrass: Smells of fresh, sweet lemon with a hint of ginger. It’s a clean, culinary fragrance.

Culinary Use: One is a Kitchen Star

This is where the difference matters most for your taste buds.

Citronella Plant: Not edible. The leaves are bitter and not suitable for consumption. They are for fragrance and pest repellent only.
Lemongrass: A vital flavoring agent. The tender lower stalk (bulb) is sliced, pounded, or used whole to infuse soups, curries, teas, and marinades with a citrusy flavor. The upper leaves can be used for tea as well.

Mosquito Repellent Properties: Setting Expectations

There’s a lot of hype here, so let’s be realistic.

Citronella Plant: The live plant has a limited repellent effect. The scent needs to be released by brushing the leaves, and it only protects a very small area immediately around the plant. It’s not a forcefield for your whole patio.
True Citronella Oil (from Cymbopogon nardus): This is the effective oil used in candles and sprays. It does not come from the citronella geranium plant. The plant’s name is a bit misleading.
Lemongrass: Contains citral, which is also a mild insect repellent. However, its primary use is culinary. The oil from lemongrass is sometimes used in natural repellent formulations.

Growing Requirements: Both Are Fairly Easy

Both plants enjoy similar conditions, which adds to the confusion. They thrive in warmth and sun.

How to Grow Citronella Plant

Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Well-draining potting mix or garden soil. It dosn’t like wet feet.
Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry. It’s drought-tolerant once established.
Climate: Tender perennial in zones 9-11. Treat as an annual or bring indoors in colder climates.
Propagation: Easily grown from stem cuttings.

How to Grow Lemongrass

Sunlight: Requires full sun for best growth.
Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil. It’s a heavy feeder.
Water: Keep consistently moist, especially in hot weather. It can handle damp soil better than citronella.
Climate: Perennial in zones 10-11. Often grown as an annual elsewhere.
Propagation: Best started from a fresh stalk from the grocery store placed in water, or by dividing an existing clump.

Harvesting and Using Your Plants

Getting the most from each plant requires different techniques.

Using Citronella Plant

Pinch or trim leaves to encourage bushier growth.
Crush leaves and rub on skin for a mild, short-term repellent (do a patch test first for skin sensitivity).
Place potted plants near seating areas where you can brush against them to release scent.
Dry leaves to make homemade sachets for drawers or outdoor use.

Using Lemongrass

Harvesting: Cut outer stalks at the base when they are about 1/2 inch thick. The plant will continue to produce from the center.
Preparing: Peel away the tough outer layers to reveal the tender, pale yellow core. This is the part you cook with.
Cooking: Slice it thinly for stir-fries, bruise the stalk and use it to infuse broths, or dry it for tea.
Freezing: A great way to preserve it. Chop the tender part and freeze in an ice cube tray with water or oil.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here’s where a little knowledge prevents big errors.

Planting for a Mosquito-Free Yard: Relying solely on a few citronella plants won’t work. Eliminate standing water and use comprehensive strategies.
Using the Wrong Plant in Food: Accidentally adding citronella geranium leaves to your tea will make it bitter and unpleasant.
Overwatering: Both plants dislike soggy soil, but citronella is especially prone to rot if overwatered.
Not Giving Lemongrass Enough Space: It’s a large, clumping grass. Plant it where it has room to spread.

Companion Planting Ideas

Both plants can play a nice role in your garden layout.

Citronella Plant: Pair with other fragrant pest-deterring plants like lavender, marigolds, and basil near patios or doorways.
Lemongrass: Plant in a sunny herb garden alongside basil, mint, and cilantro. Its grassy clump also makes a nice ornamental backdrop in beds.

Overwintering Your Plants

If you live in a cold climate, you can keep them alive for next year.

For Citronella Plant: Bring the pot indoors before the first frost. Place it in a sunny window. Water sparingly over winter, as growth will slow. It might get leggy; prune it back in spring.

For Lemongrass: You have two options. First, you can dig up a small clump, pot it, and bring it indoors to a very sunny spot. Second, you can harvest all stalks and then dig up and save the root bulb (with a bit of stalk) in a cool, dark place like a garage, barely moist in peat moss, to replant in spring.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Can I use citronella plant to make tea?

No, it is not considered edible and is not used for culinary purposes. Its flavor is bitter and not intended for consumption.

Which plant is better for repelling mosquitoes?

Neither plant is a highly effective standalone repellent. The citronella plant has a stronger relevant scent when leaves are crushed, but for real protection, use EPA-registered repellents containing ingredients like DEET, picaridin, or the oil of lemon eucalyptus (which is different from lemongrass).

Can I grow lemongrass and citronella together?

Yes, you can. They have similar sun and water needs. Just be sure to give the lemongrass enough space and remember which is which when harvesting for the kitchen!

Where can I buy the real plants?

Garden centers often sell both. For citronella plant, look for the botanical name Pelargonium citrosum. For edible lemongrass, look for Cymbopogon citratus. You can also start lemongrass from stalks bought at an Asian grocery store.

Are their oils the same?

No. Citronella oil comes from a different grass (Cymbopogon nardus). Lemongrass oil comes from Cymbopogon citratus. The oil from the citronella geranium plant is not the same as commercial citronella oil and is not widely used.

Is one easier to grow than the other?

Both are relatively easy. Lemongrass might be slightly more forgiving if you tend to overwater, as it likes consistent moisture. Citronella plant is very drought tolerant but less tolerant of poor drainage.

Final Thoughts on Choosing

Your choice between the citronella plant vs lemongrass comes down to your primary goal. If you want a fragrant patio plant with some minor pest-deterring qualities and no intention to eat it, the citronella geranium is a lovely choice. If you are a cook looking to add authentic Southeast Asian flavor to your dishes and enjoy a dramatic grassy plant, then lemongrass is the clear winner.

Many gardeners, myself included, choose to grow both. I keep a pot of citronella near my back door and a thick clump of lemongrass in my herb garden. This way, I enjoy the best of both worlds: a pleasant aroma when I come and go, and a fresh, homegrown supply of a wonderful culinary ingredient. Just remember to label them clearly—your future soups will thank you.