How To Care For A Citronella Plant

If you’ve brought home a citronella plant, you’re probably hoping for a beautiful and fragrant mosquito repellent. Knowing how to care for a citronella plant is the key to keeping it thriving all season long. These popular plants, often sold as “mosquito plants,” are actually a type of scented geranium. Their lemony aroma comes from their foliage, and with the right care, they can be a wonderful addition to your patio or garden.

This guide will walk you through everything you need, from sunlight to winter protection. Let’s get started.

Your citronella plant’s needs are simple but specific. Meeting them ensures vigorous growth and the strongest scent. Here are the core pillars of its care.

Sunlight: The Non-Negotiable Ingredient

Citronella plants love the sun. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to grow full and bushy. A south or west-facing location is ideal.

Without enough light, the plant will become leggy. Its stems will stretch out weakly, and the leaf production will slow. The fragrance will also be much less potent. If you’re growing it indoors, place it in your sunniest window.

Watering: Finding the Perfect Balance

Watering is where most gardeners make mistakes. This plant likes consistent moisture but absolutely hates soggy roots. The goal is to let the soil dry slightly between waterings.

Here’s a simple method:

Stick your finger about an inch into the soil.
If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
Water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage holes.
Empty the saucer underneath so the pot doesn’t sit in water.

In hot summer weather, you might need to water every day. In cooler or cloudy conditions, it could be every few days. Always check the soil first—it’s your best guide.

Soil and Potting: The Foundation of Health

Excellent drainage is crucial. Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. A standard mix for potted plants or containers works well. You can improve drainage by adding a handful of perlite or coarse sand.

The pot must have drainage holes. This cannot be overstated. A pot without holes will lead to root rot, which can quickly kill your plant. When repotting, only move up one pot size (about 2 inches larger in diameter) to prevent excess soil from staying wet too long.

Fertilizing for Lush Growth

During the active growing season (spring and summer), your citronella plant will benefit from regular feeding. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 formula.

Fertilize every 4-6 weeks.
Dilute it to half the strength recommended on the label.
Stop fertilizing in late fall and winter when growth slows.

Over-fertilizing can cause weak growth and can even damage the roots, so less is often more.

Pruning and Pinching: Keeping it Bushy

Regular pruning is not just for looks—it encourages a fuller, more compact plant. When you pinch or cut back the stems, the plant sends out new growth from lower down.

Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
Pinch off the top inch or two of a stem just above a set of leaves.
You can also remove any long, leggy stems entirely.
Don’t be afraid to prune up to one-third of the plant at a time.

Pruning also gives you cuttings to propagate new plants. Plus, the leaves you remove can be crushed and rubbed on your skin for a quick, natural mosquito repellent.

Overwintering Your Plant

Citronella is perennial in warm climates but won’t survive a frost. If you live where temperatures drop below freezing, you’ll need to bring it indoors for the winter.

Follow these steps:

Bring the plant inside before the first frost is expected.
Place it in the sunniest spot possible, like a south-facing window.
Reduce watering significantly, allowing the soil to dry out more.
Stop fertilizing until spring.

The plant may lose some leaves or look a bit sad during winter. This is normal. Just give it enough light and water sparingly. Once all danger of frost has passed in the spring, you can acclimate it back outdoors.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with great care, issues can pop up. Here’s how to identify and fix them.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellow leaves are a common sign. The cause depends on the pattern.

Lower, older leaves yellowing: Usually natural aging. Just pluck them off.
Widespread yellowing, especially with wet soil: Likely overwatering. Let the soil dry out more between waterings.
Yellowing with dry soil: Could be underwatering or nutrient deficiency. Check your watering schedule and consider a light fertilizer application.

Leggy Growth and Small Leaves

This is almost always due to insufficient sunlight. The plant is stretching to find more light. Move it to a brighter location and give it a good prune to encourage bushier growth from the base.

Pests to Watch For

While fairly pest-resistant, citronella can sometimes attract:

Aphids: Small green or black insects on new growth. Blast them off with a strong stream of water or use insecticidal soap.
Whiteflies: Tiny white insects that flutter up when disturbed. Yellow sticky traps and insecticidal soap are effective.
Spider Mites: Cause fine webbing and stippled leaves. Increase humidity and spray with neem oil.

Regularly inspecting the undersides of leaves helps catch infestations early, when they are easiest to control.

Propagating New Citronella Plants

Creating new plants from cuttings is easy and rewarding. It’s a great way to share plants with friends or ensure you have backups.

In spring or early summer, cut a 4-6 inch healthy stem tip.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (this step is optional but helpful).
Place the cutting in a small pot filled with moist, well-draining potting mix.
Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag to create humidity, but make sure the bag doesn’t touch the leaves.
Place in bright, indirect light and keep the soil lightly moist.
In 2-4 weeks, gently tug on the cutting. If you feel resistance, roots have formed. You can then remove the bag and care for it as a normal plant.

Using Your Citronella Plant

To release its mosquito-repelling scent, you need to bruise the leaves. Gently rub or crush a leaf between your fingers to release the oils, then apply it to your skin. Remember, the plant itself sitting on a table won’t repel mosquitoes—the oils need to be released.

For a patio area, planting several in large containers around your seating space can help when the leaves are brushed against or the wind rustles them. But for direct protection, applying the crushed leaves is most effective.

FAQ

Is a citronella plant the same as citronella grass?
No, they are different plants. The citronella plant is a pelargonium (scented geranium). The oil used in commercial candles and sprays usually comes from citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus). Both have a similar lemony scent.

Can I plant citronella in the ground?
Yes, in warm climates (USDA zones 9-11) it can be grown as a perennial in the ground. In cooler zones, treat it as an annual or dig it up to bring indoors for winter. Ensure the garden soil is well-draining.

Why is my citronella plant not smelling strong?
Low light is the most common reason. More sun equals more fragrant oils. Also, try rubbing a leaf to release the scent—it’s much stronger when the leaf cells are broken.

How often should I repot my citronella?
Repot in the spring if you see roots growing out of the drainage holes or if the plant dries out unusually fast. Otherwise, refreshing the top layer of soil each spring can be sufficient for a year or two.

Are citronella plants safe for pets?
The ASPCA lists scented geraniums as toxic to dogs and cats if ingested, potentially causing vomiting or lethargy. It’s best to keep the plant out of reach of curious pets, just to be safe.

With these essential care tips, your citronella plant should grow vigorously. Provide plenty of sun, avoid overwatering, and don’t hesitate to prune it back. Enjoy it’s lovely fragrance and the natural bug-repelling benefits it brings to your outdoor space.