Did you know that some houseplants are n’t just treasure for their interesting foliage or excessive bloom ? Some , like today ’s topic , are actually grown mainly for their scent .
Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ , also hump as the citronella works , is one of them . It eject a sweet and refreshing lemon fragrance when you crush a leaf or even just thicket past the industrial plant !
Sound good ? Keep reading for everything you need to know about the citronella plant and how to give care for this Pelargonium indoors .
Disclosure : If you shop from my article or make a leverage through one of my links , I may meet commissions on some of the product I urge .
About Pelargonium ‘Citrosum’
Description
The citrosa or citronella works is a hybrid member of the genus Pelargonium , which is commonly known as the storksbills and figure part of the Geranium kinsperson . It ’s a perennial shaggy-haired plant , also sometimes call a subshrub , with crinkled and serrate leave-taking .
Although it bring on pretty clustering of small pink and purple flowers during the summer months , its blooms are not what Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ is known for . Instead , ( indoor ) gardener love it for its perfume .
As the common name suggest , citronella plant life leave emit a impregnable lemony odor when crushed . This fragrance is very similar to that of citronella , and it loaf for a long time . All you have to do to release a burst of lemon is to brush your hand through the plant !
Where to buy citronella plant :
Mosquito repellent… or not?
So , I ’m certain you ’ve heard of citronella plants repelling mosquito . This Pelargonium ’s common name is “ mosquito works ” for a reason , correct ?
In fact , that ’s what it was market for right from its first introduction to the houseplant world . There ’s a lot more to it , though ! shoulder strap in for a eldritch and wonderful ride , we ’re plunk down the rabbit hole .
You see , Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ was bred specifically to be a new born revolution in anti - mosquito products ( or , as it was described in one1992 Organic Gardening cartridge article , a ‘ skeeter skeedaddler ’ ) .
In the 1980s , a Dutch plant stock breeder called Dirk van Leenen put in his new citronella flora with much ado , in particular in Florida , knowing that mosquito are the nemesis of every Floridian ’s existence . This is also why this plant is still sometimes call Pelargonium × citrosum ‘ Van Leenii ’ .
Van Leenen put forward that his plant was a manmade loanblend created through tinkering with DNA by means of tissue paper cultivation , purportedly combining the African Pelargonium genus with lemongrass .
While that ’s quite clearly falderol ( we ’re blab out about something that purportedly happened in 1975 , when this engineering was n’t really available ) , I still ca n’t find much about the genuine “ ingredients ” that go into this plant .
That ’s also why Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ does n’t really have a raw ( unfounded ) home ground like most other houseplant , although the genus Pelargonium , in general , is mostly find in South Africa and Namibia .
Some origin now state that citrosa is just a cultivar of Pelargonium graveolens , better known among gardeners as the sweet-scented - scented geranium . According to research , the compounds they contain are quite exchangeable . This seems like a pretty good possibility , but I have n’t found any classic check so far .
Now for the inauspicious truth . Yes , the citrosa industrial plant smells divinely citrusy .
However … It barely contain compound that repel mosquitoes , like true citronella petroleum .
In fact , bailiwick have bear witness time and time again that mosquito do n’t really give a hiss about the comportment of these plants . They ’ll shore on you all the same . In fact , they ’ll even land on the Pelargonium itself !
It ’s a pity , but hey , at least the leave still smack divine , correct ?
Pelargonium ‘Citrosum’ vs. Cymbopogon sp.
I opine much of the confusion about the Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ plant being capable to keep your home mosquito - barren has a lot to do with it sharing a common name with — and smelling very similar to — plants that actuallydorepel those plaguy flying bloodsuckers . Lemongrass !
Let ’s not forget that Dirk van Leenen ostensibly exact to have genetically spliced the two species for create his citronella geranium .
There are two species considered to be “ on-key ” citronella : Cymbopogon nardus and C. citratus . These plants are the existent source of the widely used citronella all-important oil , which you may buy in the form of sprays or citronella standard candle .
They ’re called mosquito works , citronella plants , or even lemongrass — yes , thatlemongrass , the tall , repeated grassthat ’s also used as a kitchen herb . Citronella and lemon grass are one and the same .
Unlike oil from Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ , citronella fossil oil from Cymbopogon gage has been scientifically test to ferment as an insect powder , larvicide , and general mosquito repellant . you could rub the oil on your skin to keep mosquito at bay . ( I should add that simply scratch the blade of grass on your skin wo n’t do anything … other than maybe giving yourself a cut . )
Citronella oil does n’t lick as well as Graeco-Roman DEET , but if you like to keep things natural , it will unquestionably help somewhat .
Did you know?For a layer of supply confusion , there ’s also a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree whose scientific name is actually Citronella : Chilean citronella , or C. mucronata . For the rice beer of clarity , let ’s just ignore that one for now .
Caring for Pelargonium ‘Citrosum’
Light and temperature
Although most gardener like to produce their citronella plant outdoors for the majority of the twelvemonth , it can also do well as a houseplant . You just have to verify to give it enough Light Within !
Indoors , a Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ will revalue being placed in a promising windowsill that gets at least some verbatim Dominicus . If you do n’t have any well - perch spots available , you may also opt to supplement with contrived grow lights . If your plant begins to stretch , it need to be moved to a brighter localisation .
In terms of temperature , as long as long as things do n’t dunk below freeze , your citronella plant should technically be fine . Still , if you ’re growing yours out of doors , it ’s advocate to bring it in when temperature start to drop below 50 ° F . Warmer is not a job , as Pelargoniums in reality prefer tropical temporary worker .
Want to grow a citronella outdoors yr - round ? you may do so if you ’re in USDA Zone 9 or up .
Water and humidity
discover the proper counterweight in full term of moisture is an crucial part of keeping your citronella flora healthy . Although they do like plenty of water , these geranium really do n’t prize wet feet .
In my experience , it ’s well to allow the soil dry about midway before water again . you could give a little more during the lovesome summer months , but wait longer in winter when your plant is likely ( mostly ) dormant . If you ’re not certain , you may cling a finger in the soil to gauge the wet stage .
In terms of humidity , although they ’re tropicals , these guy rope are n’t overly fussy . Unless your home gets really juiceless ( under 40 percent ) on a steady foundation , your plant will be just ok .
Soil and planting
Although Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ can thrive in a full image of soil character , your best stakes is to go for a motley that ’s both rich and well - draining . Try add up a smattering ofperliteand some worm castings to regular houseplantpotting soil . Peat moss is also sometimes included , but you’re able to substitute coco coir if you prefer .
Citronella plant are fairly vigorous growers , so you could go for a relatively with child pot for yours without issue . The plantation owner material and contour do n’t really matter ; the significant thing is for it to have a drainage hole in the bottom to prevent supernumerary piss from causing root rot .
advocate product for citronella plant care :
Fertilizing
Like most houseplants , the citronella industrial plant appreciates a lilliputian boost from time to time during the grow time of year . As mentioned , after all , they grow pretty quickly !
you’re able to practice a balanced melted houseplant plant food around once a calendar month or so from spring to accrue . Do n’t fertilize in wintertime , as the plant probably wo n’t be grow and does n’t need the extra nutrients . Also hold off on the fertiliser if it looks like struggling , as that will only make things worse .
urge fertilizers for citronella plant :
Pruning
Although dress a citronella works is a pretty pleasant experience thanks to the odor , they generally do n’t want a bunch of maintenance . Still , there are a few place in which you may want to prune yours :
Dividing or repotting
Most potted citronella works lie in of a single stem , as they do n’t tend to produce many outgrowth . This means that division is usually not an option . If yours is outgrow its current planter , you ’ll either have to aggressively rationalize it back or repot it into a bigger container .
I personally prefer the latter option ! There ’s nothing like a huge citronella to fill a blank space with wonderful lemon smell every clock time you sweep past it , so I like to let mine mature as boastful as potential .
you may repot a Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ into novel soil every other spring , optionally endure up one corporation size if your industrial plant needs more place .
Propagating Pelargonium ‘Citrosum’
As I just mentioned , Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ is n’t really a bully candidate for part . That does n’t mean it is n’t easy to propagate , though ! If you ’d care to procreate yours , you could easily do so by take cuttings .
Here ’s how you do it :
Tip : If you ’re propagate in land , you’re able to dip your citronella cut in some rooting internal secretion . It really helps hie up the steady down process !
Common questions about Pelargonium ‘Citrosum’ care
Is Pelargonium ‘Citrosum’ toxic to cats and dogs?
regrettably , Pelargonium species are considered toxic to favourite and humans . This being said , it ’s very unlikely your furry friend will keel over after piece on your citronella plant !
The geraniol and linalool this species curb are weigh to be skin irritants and can provoke vomiting and diarrhea , but unless your pet manages to ingest huge measure , it ’s unlikely to give crusade much more trouble than that .
Do citronella plants work?
As observe above in this clause , no , Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ plant do n’t work to repel mosquito . You need a true citronella plant from the lemongrass family for that .
Do citronella plants come back every year?
Pelargonium ‘ Citrosum ’ is a perennial , meaning it comes back every year . However , it ’s also freeze - tender , so it ca n’t handle temperatures below 32 ° atomic number 9 .
If your citronella plant life has die off because it froze , I ’m afraid it has officially kicked the bucket . If it go into dormancy due to underwatering , you may be able to wake it up .
Do citronella plants flower?
Sure do ! Their small , violet and pink flowers appear in summer .
Sources :
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1993/2025-02-07/plant.html
https://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=OttoRichter/1993.html
Cilek , J. E. , & Schreiber , E. T. ( 1994 ) . Failure of the ” mosquito plant ” , Pelargonium x citrosum’van Leenii ’ , to repel adult Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus in Florida . Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association,10(4 ) , 473 - 476 .
Dayananda , K. R. , & Ranaweera , S. S. ( 1996 ) . Mosquito - larvicidal bodily process of Ceylon citronella { Cymbopogon Nardus ( L. ) Rendle } crude fractions . Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka,24(4 ) .
Matsuda , B. M. , Surgeoner , G. A. , & Heal , J. D. ( 1996 ) . AEDES MOSQUITOES.Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association,12(1 ) , 69 - 74 .
Meyers , M. ( 2006 ) . genus Pelargonium : An Herb Society of America Guide . The herbaceous plant society of America,9019 .
Solomon , B. , Gebre - Mariam , T. , & Asres , K. ( 2012 ) . Mosquito revolting actions of the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus , Cymbopogon nardus and Eucalyptus citriodora : rating and formulation studies . Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants,15(5 ) , 766 - 773 .
Zulfikar , A. W. , & Sitepu , F. Y. ( 2019 ) . The result of lemongrass ( Cymbopogon nardus ) extract as insecticide against Aedes aegypti . Int J Mosq Res,6(1 ) , 101 - 103 .
