Citronella Plant

The Citronella Plant: Fragrant & Functional

The Citronella Plant fills your home with a fresh, lemony fragrance every time you brush past its lacy leaves. While often marketed as a mosquito repellent plant, it's truly valued for its delightful scent and easy-going nature.

Lemon-Scented Geranium Family

Technically a scented geranium (Pelargonium), this plant produces deeply lobed, textured leaves that release a strong citronella-like fragrance when touched. It's a cousin of the popular garden geranium with the added benefit of aromatic oils.

Indoor-Outdoor Versatility

The Citronella Plant thrives on a sunny windowsill, patio table, or garden border. It's fast-growing, easy to propagate, and responds beautifully to regular pinching — giving you a bushy, fragrant plant that keeps on giving.

More Than Mosquito Claims

While the scent is pleasant to us, field studies have found little evidence that it repels mosquitoes. But as a fragrant, easy houseplant, it truly shines.

Water when the top inch of soil dries out — typically every 5-7 days. Citronella plants prefer to dry slightly between waterings rather than stay constantly moist. Reduce watering in winter. Good drainage prevents root rot.

Tip: Droopy leaves usually mean it needs water — it bounces back quickly.

Full sun to bright indirect light. At least 6 hours of bright light daily keeps the plant compact and fragrant. South or west-facing windows are ideal. Insufficient light causes leggy growth and weaker scent.

Standard well-draining potting mix works perfectly. Add extra perlite for improved drainage. Not fussy about soil — it grows well in most commercial potting mixes as long as water drains freely.

Feed every 2 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Generous feeding promotes lush, fragrant foliage. Stop in late fall and winter when growth naturally slows down.

Incredibly easy from stem cuttings. Take 4-inch cuttings, remove lower leaves, and place in moist potting mix. Roots develop in 2-3 weeks. You can also root in water first. Share cuttings generously — they root reliably.

Repot annually in spring as this fast grower fills pots quickly. Move up one pot size or trim roots and refresh soil to maintain current size. They respond well to being slightly root-bound.

Leggy growth: Not enough light — move to a sunnier spot and pinch tips regularly.
Yellowing lower leaves: Overwatering or natural leaf shedding — reduce water frequency.
Weak scent: Insufficient light — more sun means more aromatic oils.
Whiteflies: Common pest — treat with insecticidal soap.