Citronella Mosquito Plant

Light Needs

Full Shade to Partial Shade

(0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1.5-2 Feet

Mature Spread

1.5-2 Feet

Citronella Mosquito Plant (Pelargonium graveolens) is grown for the fragrant foliage. When the foliage is brushed or crushed, it gives off a citrusy smell that repels mosquitoes. In the summer, Citronella Mosquito Plant has pink flowers brushed with deep crimson on the top petals.

Citronella Mosquito Plant is heat tolerant and rarely has any disease problems. It is drought tolerant once established. In places where the winter is cold, it needs to be brought indoors at first frost. Inside, it will need to be placed in bright light for best results and can become leggy in low light. Outside, it needs a sunny spot with a bit of shade in the heat of the afternoon. Citronella Mosquito Plant looks good in containers or as part of the landscape. It may be planted at the edge of a patio or along a path so that its scent is released as people brush against the foliage.

Citronella Mosquito Plant Care

Citronella Mosquito Plant can be grown inside or outside. It is not hardy below 20 degrees F, so it will need to be overwintered indoors in zones below 9. It grows upright in a mound so would work well as a filler in the back of the container. Citronella Mosquito Plant likes part shade to full sun. It will not grow as fast in shade and may stretch to receive more light. Citronella Mosquito Plant prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Fertilize it in containers with water-soluble fertilizer as part of watering it. Add compost or slow-release fertilizer when planting Citronella Mosquito Plant in the landscape. While drought tolerant, it does need watering outside while it is getting established.

Citronella Mosquito Plant is a tender perennial. It tends to get a woody stem in the late summer, and then freezes and dies outside at first frost. It makes a great houseplant, however, and is easily propagated by cuttings. Pinching the stems will encourage the plant to grow bushier instead of leggy.

Citronella Mosquito Plant Spacing

Citronella Mosquito Plant is a medium tall plant, growing up to 24 inches tall and spreading up to 24 inches wide. It is tall enough that you can plant something shorter in front of it in the landscape or container. If you do so, you should space the Citronella Mosquito Plant 18-24 inches apart from its neighbors.

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GERST