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The supposedlymosquito - repellentcitronella plant contains only a flyspeck amount of citronella . The citronella used in repellant is actually deduct from citronella sess , an exclusively different industrial plant species . Although citronella plants were in the first place marketed as a hybridisation between a pelargonium and that grass , those claim proved false .
Althoughstudieshave set that the presence of citronella plant ( aka “ mosquito plants ” ) has no core on mosquitoes , the citronella plant is still deserving growing for its lacily lobed leaf , citrusy perfume , and pinkish - lavender blooms . Citronella plant care is similar to that take by other scented geraniums .
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Growing Citronella at a Glance
Common Name : Citronella plantScientific Name : genus Pelargonium citrosum‘Van Leenii’Hardiness Zone : 9 to 12Soil : riotous - draining , pH 7Light : Full Sunday to partial shadeWater : LowFood : Balanced plant life foodPropagation : Softwood cuttingsSafety : Toxic to dearie
Citronella Plant Characteristics
How big do citronella plant life get ? They can reach heights as improbable as 5 feet when grown as in - ground perennial in frost - free region ofUSDA partition 9 through 12 . North of Zone 9 , however , citronella plant must either be grown as yearbook or placed in containers and move indoors over winter . Under those conditions , they probably wo n’t surpass 2 feet in pinnacle .
When it comes to citronella industrial plant type , there is only one , though there are a form of citronella grasses . The citronella plant ’s leafage is lob and lacey in show , as well as carrying a solid citrus scent . The citronellafloweris little and lilac , and its 5 - petal shape is standardized to other pelargonium blooms , with burgundy veins decorating the upper two petals . These efflorescence loosely seem in spring and former summertime .
Recommended Citronella Varieties
Although there is only one type of citronella plant , it fall within the broader class of scented geraniums . These differ from the pop geranium , which are breed for their showy flowers . Scented geranium varieties are instead breed for their fragrant foliage . If you want to see to it you get a citronella flora , just look for the full name ofPelargonium citrosum‘Van Leenii ’ to be certain .
Planting Citronella
When considering how to produce citronella mosquito flora , keep in judgement that it likes the same conditions as other annual geraniums ( genus Pelargonium ) . The question of when and where to plant it will calculate on your growing geographical zone .
When is the best time to plant citronella?
If you plan to uprise citronella as an one-year , transfer it into the ground after yourlast frost datein spring — about the same clock time you sic out your tomatoes . Gardeners who exist in frost - devoid zones in the South may want toplant this pelargonium in autumninstead , since annual geranium like coolheaded night and tend to begrudge day temperature above 85 degrees .
Where can citronella grow?
In the North , opt a stead in full sun with well - drain , neutral stain ( mean a pH near 7 ) . In the hottest region of the South , opt for a site that receives at least 4 hours of sun in the morning followed by afternoon tincture to protect the plant from excessive warmth .
How do you plant citronella?
Once you have chosen your localization , espouse these step to jell out your works :
Can you grow citronella in containers?
Yes , as with most pelargoniums , citronella can flourish incontainers . When contemplating how to like for citronella plants in corporation , start them out in 4- to 6 - inch containers — or whatever diam is most appropriate for their sizing — filled with a light and fluffystandard potting mixor a mixture of half peat and half perlite .
Containers will allow you to move the plants as necessary for more favorable conditions . If they seem to be char under too much heat , for example , transfer them to a location where they will be shaded during midday and the hottest part of the good afternoon .
Watering Citronellas
An important part of how to give care for citronella plants is toavoid overwatering them . During the growing season , allow the surface of your citronella container ’s soil to dry out out before you water the plant life again . A plant rise in the ground should be watered when its grunge appears dry 2 inches down , as should a plant growing under cooler , dimmer conditions indoors during winter .
Water in the morning , if possible , so that the foliation dries off quick . Ideally , avoid squish the leave at all , which can direct to fungus diseases . Especially avoid watering the works too often if you keep it under cool conditions during wintertime . Otherwise , it might succumb torot .
Fertilizing Citronella
When wish for citronella industrial plant , do n’t blank out their need for solid food . Before setting them out , mix10 - 10 - 10 fertilizerinto their territory , using about 4 oz. per 25 straightforward foot . If you want to encourage blooms , try a 10 - 20 - 10 rule instead at the same rate . instead , use anorganic fertiliser , such as 5 - 5 - 5 at the amount recommended on the product ’s recording label .
plant in container should be feed with a balanced , water supply - soluble , micronutrient - enrich plant nutrient every 2 weeks from fountain through fall . If your plant life food does n’t contain micronutrients , you might want to supplement it with magnesium .
Pruning Citronella
When handle for a citronella plant , snip or pinch out the gratuity — the two topmost leave-taking and the head between them — of each shoot to encourage those shoots to furcate out more . Then continue to pinch the new tips about once per month during the growing time of year to keep the plant full and summary rather than magniloquent and gangly .
It ’s also a skillful idea toprunecitronellas when you wreak them indoors in fall , and again when you take them back alfresco in leap if they have been growing on a sunny windowsill . Simply cut them back by a third to one half . If your plant flowers , snip off the faded efflorescence , too , to make the plant life bring on more .
Propagating Citronella Plants
Take deal cut from your citronella plant in leap when it get to put out healthy unexampled growth . prune the top 3 in from each shoot , cutting just below a leafage node . After removing the lower folio of the cuttings , duck their basis in arooting hormoneliquid or pulverization , and pot them up in a uninspired “ soil ” such asseed start mix .
Keep them in a bright , warm location out of direct sun until they rout , which should take about a month . If you place an inverted formative pocketbook over your cuttings to maintain humidity , let it to pay heed loose rather than closing it ; pelargonium cutting waste easily when kept too dampish .
Safety Considerations
Scented geraniums such as citronella are mostly debate nontoxic to humans . In fact , some types — such as the rose - scented motley — are used in cooking . However , their sap reportedly can irritate the hide of some individuals , so it ’s a good idea to wear off gloves while prune them .
Also , the oils in odoriferous geranium foliage can cause disgorgement and other symptoms in pets who consume those leave . The ASPCA conceive perfumed geraniums toxic to both dogs and cats . Fortunately , darling usually do n’t care citrus odors , which often are used to revolt animals . However , if your ducky is the exception and bask nibble on citronella leaves , keep the plant out of reach .
Potential Pests and Diseases
odorous geranium such as citronellas are generallypest - proof plantsand free of disease when respectable . If stressed , they may bear from aphids or whiteflies , however .
Aphids , which resemble immature worm , can be spray off of citronella plants with solid streams of H2O . You may be able to force out off the adultwhiteflies , too . Afterward , you should spray the plant withinsecticidal Georgia home boy , reduplicate the treatment every week or so until all of the fly have flown . Just be certain to spray water or insecticide in the morning to give your plants time to dry out off before nightfall .
Overwintering Citronella
Part of how to take guardianship of citronella flora is bringing themindoors for the winterin USDA Zones lowly than 9 .
When is the best time to bring citronella indoors?
Once nighttime temperature dribble to 45 degrees Fahrenheit in autumn , make for your citronella plant indoors . Keep in judgment that if you want the works to blossom , you should cater it with the cooler winter conditions specified below . If not , you may keep it at typical household temperatures .
How do you overwinter citronella?
Since caring for a citronella works admit wintertime protection in most zone , you’re able to offer that by direct the following steps :
Looking for more outside container plants ? chequer out our articles on thebest container plants for full sun , nicety - do it container plants , andtrees and shrub that thrive in containers .
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