The citronella plant is also known as the mosquito plant or pelagonium.It does not produce citronella oil.There is no evidence that the citronella plant keeps mosquitoes away.The lemon scent of the citronella plant makes it an excellent addition to your garden.It is a perennial, which means you will be able to keep it around for a long time.
Step 1: Keep things simple by picking up some potted citronella.
citronella can be grown from seeds, but it takes a long time to grow.A cutting is the most popular way to grow a citronella plant.You can either buy a pre-potted cutting or clip a healthy branch off of an adult citronella plant.Take at least 4 inches of any branch with a leaf on it if you do this.If you really want to go that route, the same process is used for juvenile citronella plants.If you don't want to wait a year or two for your plant to grow, citronella is the best choice.
Step 2: There is no shade cover or obstructions in the sunny part of your yard.
You can't plant it near any trees or overhangs because it requires a lot of sunlight.If you are growing it in your yard, choose an area at least 2 feet away from other plants.Pick a sunny location to place your plant.Citronella plants are not particularly competitive with other plants because they grow more vertically.It is better to plant it at least 2 feet away from other plants.citronella requires a lot of sun to grow indoors.You can try if you want.If you are going with this option, pick a window that gets a lot of sunlight.
Step 3: It is best to plant your citronella in the spring when it is 65 F.
Wait 1-2 weeks after the last frost for the soil to warm up.When it is warm enough to pot or plant citronella, wait for a day.Citronella needs to be planted in the early spring in order for the roots to have time to grow.If you live in an area with warm winters, you can plant your plant in the autumn or late summer.
Step 4: If you want to grow citronella in a container, you need a deep pot.
It is important to grab a pot that is at least 30 cm deep and 20 cm in diameter because Citronella will grow up to 4 feet.There are a lot of holes at the bottom of the pot.If you have a plastic or ceramic pot, it doesn't matter.If you want to grow citronella in an indoor pot, you should plant it early in the spring to give it a lot of light.It would be better if you could plant it outside.
Step 5: The soil should be well-drained and consist of chalk or sand.
If the soil is neutral and has a pH of 6-7, it will work.Pick up a premixed bag of soil at your local gardening store, or mix 2 parts loam with 1 part chalk or sand.It's possible to tell if a soil is draining or not by pouring water on it.The small pool on the surface is not draining well if the water takes a few seconds to drain.When you pour water on it, the soil will drain immediately.Don't use it with anything else.It won't grow well in soil that has a lot of peat.
Step 6: Add a thin layer of soil-based compost if necessary.
Take your empty pot and dig a hole in your garden.Add a layer of compost to the bottom of the hole or container.You can either use a store-bought compost that lists soil as on of its main ingredients, or make your own compost using a peat-free soil.
Step 7: Add your citronella plant by filling in the rest of the hole with soil.
Place the soil directly into the container or hole.Simply fill the hole or container with soil and push the cutting into it.Remove the citronella plant from the original pot by leaving a hole in the container or garden.It should be in the center of the hole.If there are gaps, fill them with additional soil.You don't have to compact the soil.The plant should be given a small amount of water.It doesn't need a lot of water.
Step 8: During the summer months, water your citronella every 1-2 weeks.
There is no requirement for a lot of water.When you first plant them, water the soil surrounding the plant for a few seconds until it is dry.Depending on the health of your plant, do this once every 1-2 weeks.Water the plant once a week if the leaves are dried out.Water the soil lightly if the plant is doing well with less frequent watering.There isn't a lot of water in Citronella.
Step 9: The citronella is given every 10 days in the spring.
Pick up a balanced liquid fertilizer.To give the citronella a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals, follow the instructions on the container.As the plant develops it's root system, this will encourage growth.A near-equal distribution of nitrogen, phosphorus, and Potassium will work just fine.
Step 10: After flowers form, switch to a high-potassium fertilization.
When the plant begins to bloom, switch to a high-potassium fertilization.Tomatoes are great for this, but any mixture between 15-20-28 will work.Follow the directions on the label to continue feeding your plants.Don't use thefertilizer in the fall.If you don't have a flowering variety of citronella, you can use the potassiumfertilizer in the summer when the plant has grown a lot.
Step 11: Before the winter starts, cover the citronella in compost.
Perennial means that it will live for more than 2 years.You can cover it with a thin layer of compost if you live in a tropical climate.Alternatively, you can trim the plant.You can replant your citronella indoors using the same method you used to plant it.
Step 12: Take care of the citronella flowers and leaves.
If the leaves or flowers start to lose their color, trim them off.Any branches that start drying out should be trimmed.During the summer months, this isn't an issue, but in the autumn, you may need to fertilize the plant.If you don't water your plant enough in the summer, it will grow smaller.
Step 13: If you see dark spots on the leaves, cut back on water.
Plants are likely to develop leaf spots if you see dark dots popping up all over your leaves.This is manageable, don't worry.Don't directly water the leaves until the condition clears up, and begin watering the soil every few weeks.This is a problem for citronella.The plant is resistant to disease, but can attractbacteria.
Step 14: If you find black spots under the leaves, you should discard the citronella.
If you see spots on the leaves, you are in trouble.Cut your plants down, throw them out, and wash the soil because this condition is unrecoverable.It's a good idea to wash your clothes, hands, and tools with soap and water.
Step 15: You can use an organic oil to protect your plants.
Citronella is a good target for pests.If you want to keep citronella out of your plants, fill a spray bottle with neem or horticultural oil and mist them every month.This oil will help keep bugs off of your plants.Any bugs that are already on the plant will be smothered by a coat of nim or horticultural oil.If a pest lands on a plant that has been treated with oil, it won't stay there for long.These oils are not harmful to your plants since they are organic.It's a good idea to avoid synthetic insecticides.