Summers are the best time of the year – it is warm, everyone is in a party mode, and you can relax with your family and friends.
But, summertime is also the top breeding period for one of the most annoying insects known to man – the mosquito.
Fortunately, the citronella plant can help you eliminate these pesky insects. But how do you actually grow it?
Growing the citronella plant is quite simple. It can grow both indoors and outdoors, and it has a natural mosquito repellant quality because of its unique citrus scent.
The citronella plant is somewhat drought resistant and can grow to one metre tall in maturity. However, you will need to cut it back regularly to promote fresh growth of foliage.
Factors to Consider Before Growing Citronella
Regardless of the growth medium you’re using, here are some tips you need to consider when growing the citronella plant.
What Is the Best Zone to Grow the Citronella Plant?
Citronella plants can be grown year-round in zones 9-11, which go along the deep southern part of the U.S. and southern coastal areas.
These areas typically have temperatures of -6.7oC to 10oC, which reinforces the hardiness of this crop.
But even outside of zones 9-11, the plant can withstand colder temperatures.
Move your planters outside in warmer months and bring them back inside before the winter cold.
Make sure you take the plant indoors before the first frost to avoid the potentially dangers of winter.
What Is the Best Soil for Citronella?
The amazing thing about citronella is its adaptation to various soil types.
As long as the soil has good drainage, the plant should thrive!
Utilize soil that is nutrient dense and allow water to drain well to avoid soaking it all in.
How Much Sun Is Adequate for Growing Citronella?
In a perfect world, your citronella plant should receive no less than six hours of sunlight a day.
If you live in an area of less than six hours of sun, it is best to container grow your citronella.
This is also helpful for plant growers that have space in partial shades.
How to Grow the Citronella Plant
When cultivating the citronella plant, you have four options:
- Growing from seeds
- Growing from seedlings
- Growing from cuttings
- Growing in containers
How Do I Grow Citronella from Seeds?
If you have citronella seeds, you can put them directly in the dirt after the last frost, or you can start them 6 weeks in advance indoors.
Citronella seeds are different than your typical crop, and you don’t have to cover them.
They grow with dirt just sprinkled on top. Make sure you water the seeds regularly to help them germinate.
If you’re starting indoors, cover the container with a plastic sheet so they retain more heat, and start to germinate faster.
When planting seedlings outdoors, you won’t need a cover as long as they get 6 hours of sunlight daily.
Pro tip: When the plants come up, be sure to thin out the weaker plants. This will eliminate competition for nutrients and also allow you to retain the stronger gene stock.
How Do I Grow Citronella from Seedlings?
You can find citronella starter plants at most local gardening centers.
You may put them in:
- garden
- hanging baskets
- window boxes, etc.
Before transplanting the plants, loosen the soil.
Then, dig a hole that is two times larger and two times deeper than the roots of the plant.
When you place the citronella in the hole, the base of the plant must be level with the top of the growing medium.
Once the seedling is placed in the hole, add soil around the roots and compact soil into planting medium and add in water as needed but do not saturate the soil.
If you are planting multiple citronella plants, keep the plants spaced 12 inches apart, as this crop bush’s out when mature.
How Do I Grow Citronella from Cuttings?
A lot of folks don’t know you can propagate citronella plants from cuttings.
This is a great way to pocket the money that you would otherwise spend on seeds and seedlings as long as you have an existing plant now.
Here’s how:
- First, make sure your scissors or razor blade are sterilized.
- Then, snip 4 inches off the top of your plant and remove all the greenery, except for the two on top.
- Coat the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone and place it in a container with a nutrient-based soil.
- Don’t keep the cuttings in the sun, but place them in a warm spot while you wait for the cuttings to root.
- Be sure to water the cuttings, not soak them.
How Do I Grow Citronella in Containers?
First things first, the container you plan to use should be at least 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide.
Second, the container must have some working drainage holes at the bottom.
After you have confirmed there are holes, add some inches of soil. Bury all of the plant’s roots and then top that soil with more soil.
Don’t forget: Add water and take the container to a position where it will receive enough sunlight.
3 Additional Growing Tips
A few extra tips for getting a lot of yield when planting citronella plants:
- Use liquid plant food, to help improve the growth and development of the crop. Make sure to apply this at least once a week.
- Add water at the base of the plant (where the plant develops roots) to the depth of 2 inches once every week. This will provide nutrients for the plant.
- Cut off the tips of the plants at least once a month, like when you are pruning a plant. This will assist with growth of new branches, and new leaves.
How Do I Harvest Citronella Oil?
The good news about producing this compound is the process is simple:
- All you need is a cup of olive oil and ¼ cup of the citronella plant.
- Once you’ve mixed it all, add it to a slow cooker and simmer for no less than five hours.
- When you mix the extracts from the citronella plant with olive oil you have a very effective mosquito repellent.
Next comes the straining part. Make sure to use fabric when filtering the solution.
After it is produced, you can add citronella oil to lotions, and candles.
If you would like to keep citronella’s distinct smell, add more leaves and stems, not olive oil.
Whatever you do, don’t consume this compound.
How to Use Citronella Oil
The most popular use for citronella plant extracts is naturally as an insect repellent.
But, there are a few other uses as well.
Here are the areas citronella oil can be used for:
- Insect Repellent
- Antifungal
- To Treat parasitic conditions
- To promote wound healing
- To relieve fatigue and improve mood
- Perfume and food additive
Insect Repellent
Science says mixing citronella oil and vanillin (which is taken from vanilla beans) can protect you from mosquitoes for around three hours.
Pretty good, but not compare to well-known mosquito repellents like DEET.
DEET repels mosquitoes with 90% effectiveness for six hours.
Also, don’t : citronella candles are useless as insect repellents.
Antifungal Agent
Citronella appears to have antifungal properties that can kill or inhibit orientation of some species of fungus and potentially prevent more health problems!
For example, this 2013 paper looked at citronella’s ability to treat Aspergillus niger, which causes lung and sinus infections in immunocompromised individuals.
They found that citronella oil could destroy the cell wall of the fungus and kill the subcellular structures, therefore they could prevent the infection!
They even suggested using citronella as an “eco-friendly alternative to commercial fungicides.”
They also mention: Citronella oil has antibacterial properties as well. This paper shows it is not as effective as eucalyptus oil, lemongrass oil, orange oil and peppermint oil.
Healing Wounds
Recent research has indicated that citronella oil can help wounds heal more quickly.
This is especially important for diabetics since diabetes usually decreases the speed of wound repair.
In one study of a diabetic mouse that had wounds from Candida albicans, the researchers found that citronella had both antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
By having both antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, they were able to heal the wounds faster.
The conclusions of the above studies could be promising, but further studies on humans are necessary to investigate its use in wound repair.
Weight Loss
There’s a 2015 study with rats about inhaling citronella extracts and its effects on their body weight.
What those researchers found is that the insects inhaling the plant, suppressed their appetite, reduced their cholesterol levels, and their weight gain was regulated.
There is a need for more studies to determine if this is possible in humans.
Physiological Effects of Inhaling Citronella
This study assessed the effects of inhaling three essential oils:
- Citronella
- Lavender
- Rosemary
The results showed that lavender is relaxing and rosemary is stimulating.
Citronella, on the other hand, had a neutral effect which means it can have different effects on the brain, depending on the person.
Some people could feel stimulated and some people could feel relaxed.
Energy Boost: Because of its pleasant smell, citronella is used in aromatherapy. It provides a calming effect and is used to address fatigue, headaches, and to energize you!
Caring for the Citronella Plant
Citronella plants don’t need too much maintenance meaning that, if you don’t have a green thumb, you can still grow it!
Also, its versatility means that it can actually be used for both purposes: repelling pests and for beautifying your home as it has a pleasant fragrance!
Here are some practical tips for caring for your citronella plant.
Light
Ok, listen up, Simis-Can. Citronella plants need six hours of sun but can grow in partial shade.
In the cold months:
- If temperatures become intolerable outside- bring the plant indoors-
- Make sure you keep the container right next to that sunny window! But if it doesn’t have sun, you might want to buy a glowing light!
An indication of a deficiency of sunlight in the citronella is stretching and falling over branches.
Soil
About soil, citronella plants are highly adaptable.
They’ll grow in moderately fertile, neutral, or alkaline soil as long as it is well-drained.
If you’re just beginning garden sands, it wouldn’t hurt to review the different soil types.
Temperature
As mentioned earlier, citronella plants are not frost tolerant.
Even mature plants can perish in cold, wet conditions.
In a perfect world, you’d want to grow your plants in the range of 15oC and 21oC.
So remember, this is your reason to bring the plant indoors when the cold starts to limit the outside temperature you can keep the plant at.
Water
When’s the best time to water your citronella? Whenever the top inch of growth medium is dry.
That being said, they can handle summer stress. If you’re growing citronella plants indoors, hold off on watering every couple of days; water only when your soil is dry.
What Not To Do: Do not water the leaves of your citronella plants with your sprayer, because it can create rotting. Just water at the base of the plants in the soil.
Fertilizer
At the start of spring, apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to your citronella plant.
If you don’t have access to commercial fertilizer you can always use a mixture of garden soil, peat moss and perlite.
Either way, keep in mind that you don’t want to over fertilize it, because you’ll drown the wonderful smell these plants produce.
Pruning and Pinching
Most of the citronella plants grow quickly and altogether become woody when fully grown.
That’s why you want to always prune and pinch the leaves.
These activities will affect the plant to create new leaves to become bushier.
Also while doing that, don’t forget about the yellow and dead leaves.
Pests & Disease
Thanks to their citrusy smell and thick leaves, citronella plants are not as susceptible to pest and disease issues as other herbaceous plants.
However, they can occasionally experience visitors, such as red mites and whiteflies. You can use a commercial pesticide to eliminate them.
Make sure to not keep the leaves and soil too wet for prolonged periods.
Too much moisture can increase your risk of bacterial leaf spots, gray mold, or blossom blight.
What Are the Alternatives to Citronella?
Whether you want to enjoy its nice smell or are just wanting to keep pesky bugs and pests at bay while you relax in your garden, most folks love to use citronella products.
But, not everyone likes the smell of this plant. Thus, what are there alternatives?
These are some of the plants you can use as substitutes for citronella with the same effect.
Lemongrass
Lemon influenced products are great for repelling insects because bugs can not stand the smell/flavor of lemon.
One such product is lemongrass. Lemongrass has a strong scent with a bit of Sicilian lemons, and delicious juicy limes.
The scent will add freshness to your living space while simultaneously repelling insects, making it a handy substitute for citronella products.
Peppermint
The smell that peppermint gives off disgusts biting insects which means you can take some leaves and crush them up and rub that onto your skin to repel until washing it off.
Also, if you were to be bitten by an insect the peppermint can help relieve it.
Bog Myrtle
Bog Myrtle is famous for its versatility. The leaves have a nice fragrance profile that acts a natural bug repellent.
That’s why campers love this plant, it guarantees peaceful trips.
In addition, bog myrtle is used as a food additive, perfume making, and is a traditional ingredient in Royal Weddings.
Cedar Oil
Cedar belongs to the family of trees that produce resinous offsprings, called Pinaceae.
There is a long history of use for repelling insects and other bugs.
Cedar’s essential oil is one of the best repellent oils made from these species of trees.
Nonetheless, it can affect allergic reactions for some people.
Neem Oil
An extract from a tropical tree, neem oil also contains azadirachtins, an insecticide.
A 2% concentration can kill and repel insects for at least four hours.
Garlic
When rubbed on the skin, garlic oil is an effective mosquito repellent.
Some people claim that eating garlic also makes repellent to insects, but research is yet to prove it.
Lavender
Like citronella, lavender can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It’s aromatic scent comes from the very charming purple flower.
In addition to repelling insects, it has a calming effect within your home.
Thyme Oil
Thyme oil has carvacrol and alpha-terpinene, compounds that offer natural insect repellant properties.
Most topical uses last about an hour, so you will need to frequently apply the oil.
Since it can irritate, be cautious enough to dilute thyme oil before using it.
If you don’t want to deal with the oil, the leaves can also be burned to provide a very similar effect.
Clove Oil
Studies show that undiluted topical clove oil can repel mosquitoes for nearly four hours.
That said, you should not apply clove oil straight to the skin because it’s harmful.
Wrapping Up
Citronella plants are a practical, natural solution to repelling mosquitoes and other insects.
Plus, this plant has a nice aroma to calm inside your home.
Additionally, citronella is simple to grow and easy to maintain!
You can take advantage of its hardiness in extreme conditions; the only thing that this plant won’t survive is freezing temperatures.
If you do not like the citromrella plant or its citrus aroma, you can utilize any of its alternatives, such as peppermint, lemongrass, thyme, garlic, etc.