If you’re planning to add a citronella plant to your garden or patio, one of your first questions is likely, ‘how big does a citronella plant get?’ Understanding its growth potential is key to giving it the right space and care. This popular plant, loved for its mosquito-repelling fragrance, can surprise you with its size if you’re not prepared.
Let’s look at what you can expect from this versatile plant in different settings.
How Big Does A Citronella Plant Get
In ideal outdoor conditions, a citronella plant can become a substantial perennial shrub. Typically, you can expect it to reach a mature height and width of 2 to 4 feet. In some cases, with perfect soil, ample water, and a long growing season, it might even push past 5 feet tall. Its growth is generally bushy and somewhat sprawling, with long, grassy leaves that arch outward.
The size is heavily influenced by whether you grow it as a perennial or an annual. In warm climates (USDA zones 9-11), it survives winter and returns larger each year, achieving its full potential. In cooler areas where it’s treated as an annual, it will usualy stay on the smaller side, often maxing out around 2 feet in a single summer season.
Factors That Influence Citronella Plant Size
Several key factors determine whether your plant stays compact or becomes a garden giant. Paying attention to these will help you manage its growth.
Climate and Growing Zones
This is the biggest factor. In frost-free zones, the plant grows year-round, developing woody stems and a large, shrubby form. In colder zones, frost kills it back, limiting its size to what it can achieve in one warm season.
Sunlight Exposure
Citronella plants need full sun to partial shade. For the largest, most vigorous growth, aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Less sun results in a leggier, weaker plant that stays smaller.
Container vs. In-Ground Planting
This choice has a major impact:
* In the Ground: Roots can spread freely, supporting taller, wider growth. This is where you’ll see the maximum size.
* In a Container: Growth is naturally restricted by the pot size. A potted citronella will rarely exceed 2-3 feet, making it ideal for patio control.
Soil Quality and Drainage
They thrive in rich, well-draining soil. Poor, compacted, or soggy soil will stunt growth significantly. Amending garden soil with compost or using a high-quality potting mix gives them the nutrients they need to grow big.
Watering and Fertilization Practices
Consistent moisture and light feeding promote healthy growth. Letting the plant dry out repeatedly or over-fertilizing it can both limit its size and health.
How to Control and Maintain Your Plant’s Size
Even if you have the perfect climate for a large shrub, you can keep your citronella at a manageable size with simple techniques.
Regular Pruning and Pinching
Pruning is your best tool for size control. It also encourages a bushier, fuller plant.
1. Start early in the growing season by pinching off the top inch of new growth on each stem.
2. Throughout summer, trim back any overly long or leggy stems by cutting just above a leaf node.
3. For perennial plants, a more significant pruning in early spring helps remove dead growth and shape the plant.
Choosing the Right Container
To keep a potted plant at a desired size:
* Select a pot that is only 1-2 inches wider than the root ball if you want to limit growth.
* You can refresh the soil annually without potting up to a larger container to maintain its size.
* Ensure the pot has excellent drainage holes.
Managing Fertilizer Input
Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of the season. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeds later in summer, which can promote excessive, weak growth that the plant can’t support.
Common Growth Problems and Solutions
Sometimes, size issues are a sign of a problem. Here’s what to watch for.
Leggy or Sparse Growth
This is almost always caused by insufficient sunlight. The plant stretches toward the light, resulting in long stems with few leaves. Solution: Move it to a sunnier location immediately. You can prune the leggy stems back to encourage bushier growth from the base.
Stunted Growth or Small Leaves
If your plant just isn’t growing, check these common culprits:
* Root Bound (in containers): Gently slide the plant out of its pot. If roots are circling tightly, it’s time to repot into a slightly larger container.
* Poor Soil/Nutrient Deficiency: Refresh the soil or apply a balanced liquid fertilizer.
* Overwatering/Root Rot: Yellowing leaves with stunted growth can mean soggy roots. Let the soil dry out more between waterings.
Winter Die-Back in Cold Climates
In areas with frost, the above-ground part of the plant will turn brown and die. Solution: You can either treat it as an annual and replant each spring, or dig it up, pot it, and bring it indoors to a sunny window before the first frost hits.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide for Optimal Growth
Follow these steps to give your citronella the best start, whether in a pot or a garden bed.
For Container Planting:
1. Choose a pot with drainage holes that is at least 12 inches in diameter.
2. Fill it with a well-draining potting mix, perhaps adding a handful of perlite.
3. Remove the plant from its nursery pot and loosen the roots gently.
4. Place it in the new pot so the top of the root ball is about an inch below the rim.
5. Fill in around the roots with more potting mix and water thoroughly.
For In-Ground Planting:
1. Select a site with full sun and good drainage.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.
3. Mix some compost into the soil you removed.
4. Place the plant in the hole, backfill with your soil mix, and water well.
5. Space multiple plants about 18-24 inches apart to allow for their mature spread.
Citronella Plant Care Checklist
Keep this simple checklist in mind for a healthy, well-sized plant:
* Sun: Minimum 6 hours of direct sun daily.
* Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid soggy soil.
* Soil: Use well-draining, fertile soil or potting mix.
* Food: Feed with a balanced fertilizer at the start of the growing season.
* Prune: Pinch and trim regularly to encourage bushiness and control size.
* Climate: Protect from frost; bring pots indoors in winter if needed.
FAQ About Citronella Plant Growth
How fast do citronella plants grow?
They are moderately fast growers, especially in warm weather. You can expect noticeable growth throughout the spring and summer months.
Can I keep my citronella plant small?
Yes, absolutely. Growing it in a container and practicing regular pruning are the most effective ways to maintain a smaller, compact plant.
Do citronella plants spread?
They grow outward in a clumping, shrubby form but are not typically considered invasive spreaders like some grasses or mints. Their spread is contained to the size of the bush.
Why is my citronella plant not getting bigger?
The most common reasons are not enough sunlight, being root-bound in a small pot, or needing better soil nutrition. Check its growing conditions against the care checklist.
How tall does citronella grow indoors?
Indoors, with less intense light, it will typically stay more compact, often between 1 to 2 feet tall. Provide it with your sunniest window.
What’s the difference between citronella plant and citronella grass?
This is important! The common “citronella plant” is actually a scented geranium (Pelargonium citrosum). True “citronella grass” (Cymbopogon nardus) is a different, larger grass species used to make citronella oil. The grass can grow over 6 feet tall and is not typically sold as a patio plant.
Understanding how big a citronella plant gets helps you make the right choices from the start. With proper placement, whether in a sunny garden bed or a decorative patio pot, and with simple pruning, you can enjoy its lovely scent and mosquito-deterring benefits at just the right size for your space. Remember, its growth is in your hands—you can let it become a garden centerpiece or keep it as a tidy container herb with just a little attention.