How Tall Does Citronella Grow

If you’re planning to add citronella plants to your garden for their mosquito-repelling fragrance, one of the first things you’ll need to know is how tall does citronella grow. Understanding its maximum height and spread is key to placing it correctly in your landscape.

This popular plant, often called the mosquito plant, can suprise you with its size. Let’s look at what you can expect so you can give it the space it needs to thrive.

The typical citronella plant, known botanically as Pelargonium citrosum, is actually a scented geranium. In a single growing season, it usually reaches a maximum height of 2 to 3 feet. Its spread, or width, is often similar, creating a rounded, bushy shape.

In perfect, frost-free conditions, a mature citronella plant can sometimes get even taller. We’ve seen them reach up to 4 or 5 feet over several years. But for most gardeners in temperate climates, treating it as an annual, 2-3 feet is the reliable range.

Factors That Influence Citronella Plant Size

Several key factors will determine if your plant hits that maximum height or stays more compact. It’s not just about planting it and forgetting it.

Climate: This is the biggest factor. Citronella is perennial in USDA zones 9-11. In these warm zones, it grows larger each year. In cooler areas, it’s grown as an annual and won’t reach its full potential size.
Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6 hours daily) promotes strong, upright growth and helps it achieve maximum height. In too much shade, it becomes leggy and weak.
Container vs. Ground: Plants in the ground almost always grow larger. Container growth is naturally restricted by the pot size, which can be a good way to control its spread.
Soil Quality: Rich, well-draining soil with good organic matter supports healthier, bigger plants. Poor soil stunts growth.

Understanding the Plant’s Spread and Growth Habit

Citronella doesn’t just grow up; it grows out. Its spread is just as important for planning. The plant has a bushy, mounding habit.

When you plant it, give it room. Space multiple citronella plants about 18 to 24 inches apart. This allows for good air circulation, which prevents fungal diseases, and lets each plant develop its full, attractive shape without competition.

If you’re growing it in a pot, choose one that is at least 12 inches in diameter. This gives the roots space and prevents the plant from becoming top-heavy and tipping over, especially when it reaches its taller heights.

Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Height and Spread

You have more control over your citronella’s size than you might think. Here’s how to manage it.

1. Pruning for Bushiness and Control

Regular pruning is your best tool. It prevents the plant from becoming tall and spindly.

Pinch back the growing tips of young plants early in the season. This encourages branching from the base, creating a fuller plant.
Throughout the growing season, trim back any excessively long or leggy stems. Make your cuts just above a set of leaves.
If your plant gets too tall, you can safely cut it back by up to one-third. It will respond with new, bushier growth.

2. Optimal Planting for Healthy Growth

Setting your plant up for success from the start ensures it grows to its ideal, healthy size.

Location: Choose the sunniest spot in your garden or on your patio.
Soil Prep: Amend garden soil with compost. For pots, use a high-quality potting mix.
Watering: Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid constant soggy soil, which can rot roots and limit growth.
Feeding: Feed container plants monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. In-ground plants benefit from a slow-release fertilizer at planting time.

3. Overwintering to Increase Size (For Cool Climates)

To help your plant gain size over years, you can bring it indoors before the first frost.

Prune it back by about half to make it more manageable.
Check thoroughly for pests and treat if necessary.
Place it in a sunny south-facing window indoors. It may not grow much over winter, but keeping it alive allows you to replant a larger, more established plant come spring.

Common Problems That Stunt Growth

If your citronella isn’t reaching a good size, one of these issues could be the culprit.

Root Bound in Pot: If roots are circling tightly, repot into a larger container.
Insufficient Light: This is the most common cause of leggy, weak growth. Move it to a sunnier location.
Poor Drainage: Yellowing leaves and stalled growth often point to wet roots. Improve soil mix or drainage holes.
Lack of Nutrients: Pale leaves and slow growth suggest it needs a feed. Apply a balanced fertilizer.

Citronella Grass vs. Citronella Plant

It’s crucial to note the size difference between the common “citronella plant” and true Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus). They are different plants.

True Citronella Grass, which is the source of commercial citronella oil, is a much larger, fast-growing clumping grass. It can reach heights of 5 to 6 feet with an equal spread! It’s perennial only in very warm climates (zones 10-12) and requires significant space. Most gardeners find the smaller scented geranium more practical for patio pots and garden beds.

Design Tips for Your Garden Layout

Knowing the maximum height and spread helps you use citronella effectively in your garden design.

Use it as a mid-height plant in a mixed border, behind low-growing annuals but in front of taller shrubs.
In container gardens, place it in the center or near the back of a large pot, surrounded by trailing and shorter plants.
Line a walkway or patio edge with spaced-out plants to create a fragrant, mosquito-deterring barrier.
Remember to position it where you can brush against the leaves to release its scent, like near seating areas or doorways.

FAQ Section

How fast does citronella grow?

It has a moderate growth rate. From a small nursery pot, it can reach its full seasonal height of 2-3 feet in a single growing season with good conditions.

Can I keep my citronella plant small?

Absolutely. Growing it in a small container and regularly pinching back the tips will keep it compact. This is ideal for small patios or indoor growing.

Does citronella grow back every year?

Only in frost-free climates (zones 9-11). In cooler areas, it will die back with frost. You must bring it indoors to keep it alive from year to year.

How wide does a citronella plant get?

A mature, healthy plant typically has a spread equal to its height, about 2 to 3 feet wide. Always account for this when planting to avoid overcrowding.

Why is my citronella plant so tall and thin?

This is called “legginess” and is almost always due to insufficient sunlight. The plant stretches to find more light. Prune it back and move it to a sunnier spot to encourage bushier growth.

Knowing the answer to “how tall does citronella grow” empowers you to make the best choices for your garden. By providing enough sun, space, and a little care, you can enjoy a robust, fragrant plant that contributes both beauty and function to your outdoor living areas all season long. With proper placement and maintence, it will reach its full, lovely potential.