Growing Citronella: varieties, planting guide, care, is a citronella a perennial?

Craig lives in New Zealand and is a self-sufficiency gardener.He has six vegetable gardens, a 7-meter glass house, and a 35- tree orchard that provide food for his family.It's all spray-free.He likes to experiment with plants to save seeds.

citronella can be used in soaps and candles, even though most of us have heard of it as a mosquito deterrent.

citronella grass is a beautiful addition to the home garden that can help keep mosquitoes and whiteflies at bay.It can be used to make citronella essential oil.

The citronella plant is a clumping grass.It is a deep green color with a pink or purple hue at the base of the leaves.

There is a scented plant called Pelargonium citrosum that is sold as citronella.

This has broad, serrated leaves and is sometimes sold as amosquito plant, but it is only scented with citronella.It can't be used to make citronella essential oil.

The variety of citronella used to make essential oil is called Cymbopogon nardus.It is great for repelling pests in the garden.It is about 3 feet tall.

Java citronella, Cymbopogon winterianus, was popular in Indonesia at some point.

The citronella family includes Cymbopogon citratus.It is popular in cooking and can be used to repel mosquitos.It is about 4 feet tall.

Cymbopogon flexuosus is a native of India.It's used to flavor food and add scent to cosmetics.It can be up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

The wild Cymbopogon martini has been used for its essential oil since antiquity and is now cultivated for the same reason.There are studies that show promise for using palmarosa on the skin.

The grass is easy to care for.If you live in a warm climate, you can grow it as an annual or perennial.citronella can be planted by seed, transplant, or root division.

The grass grows well in zones 9 to 12.It doesn't like cold weather.It can be grown as an annual in zones 3-8.

Full sun to part sun is what Citronella needs.It should be provided with morning sun and afternoon shade.It is best to have six hours of sun a day.

Citronella likes well-draining soil and doesn't like wet roots.If you live in a wet climate, plant on a ridge.

After the last frost, plant outside in the spring.You can grow citronella in pots.

The citronella grows well in pots.If you live in a cooler area, it is easy to move the plant inside as the seasons change.

The container helps keep the grass manageable as it grows up to 6 feet tall.Cut it back to where you want it.

A container of at least 12 inches in diameter is required.Don't allow the soil to dry out if you feed monthly.

If you are lucky enough to get some seed, plant in small pots with seed raising mix and keep the pot at a constant temperature of 64F, using a heat mat if necessary.

Once the mix is moist and the plants are at least three inches tall, transfer them to your garden or permanent container.

Carefully dig down and expose the roots of the plant.Lift the entire thing out of the soil by gently removing the dirt from around the roots.

Place the roots in pots.The division can be planted in a garden or container.

A big spot in the garden is what Citronella grass needs.

Prepare the soil for planting by digging in plenty of organic matter a week before planting.

The root system has a hole twice the width.Put the plant in place and press firmly.For the first few months, keep the water well moist.

To give them room to spread, plant citronella grass 24 inches apart.citronella is not an invader because it doesn't reproduce through runners as some grasses can, but it does spread quickly and can crowd out other plants.

citronella isn't too demanding once you get it in the ground.Keeping them in check requires regular feeding and water.

The plants are hungry.There is an all-purposefertilizer that is high in nitrogen.This is done at the beginning of spring for established plants.

Plants need regular watering.Before providing more water, allow the first inch of soil to dry out.

The onlyPruning required is removing the leaves as they yellow and die off.When you deadhead flowers, the plant can put energy into the remaining leaves.

You could be forgiven for thinking citronella plants wouldn't have pests and diseases, but unfortunately, there are a few things to watch out for.

citronella grass is susceptible to leaf Blight.In humid conditions, the lower leaves will be quickly colored.

There are many sprays, but I prefer organic oil.For three days in a row, spray every four weeks.

Young leaves are affected by rain and humid conditions.The citronella grass is affected by partial leaf death.

At least 6 hours of sunshine on the citronella grass is needed to prevent it.The fall is a good time to clean up the garden.

If you know that the disease is a problem in your area, you should use a copper-based spray.

Spider mites feed on the leaves of plants.You are more likely to see their webbing than the mites themselves.

The citronella grass leaves a spray of water to knock the mites off.For a week, do this every day.Remove leaves that are badly infested.

If you really struggle with these pests, use a sulfur spray in the winter and a neem oil during the summer and fall.The good insects in your garden can be killed by using chemicals.

You can harvest citronella plants up to three times a year for oil, but I only use them as ornamentals.

It can be used in preparation for antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-Inflammatory products.

When the plant is fully grown, you can cut the leaves as close to the base as possible.

You can make your own essential oil by cutting leaves and drying them in a dehydrator or in the sun.

Take 4 ounces of leaves and put them in a jar.Ipsen alcohol is used to cover.

We will use your answer to improve our content.The better our pages are, the more feedback you give us.