SHRUBS > CITRONELLA
IN THIS GUIDE
CITRONELLA GUIDES
The term ‘ citronella ’ can be a confusing one , as there are a numeral of unlike plants which are referred to by that name .
In this clause , we discuss the merits and growing habit ofPelargonium cucullatumsubsp.cucullatum , a lemon - scented pelargonium also commonly referred to asPelargonium citrosumand the ‘ Citronella plant ’ .
This should not be confused with plants in the Citronella genus , nor with lemongrass oil , which is sometimes relate to as citronella locoweed .
Overview
PreferredFull Sun
ExposureSheltered
Height1 – 1.5 K
Spread0.1 – 0.5 M
Bloom TimeSpring / Summer / Autumn
PreferredChalk , loam or George Sand
MoistureWell - enfeeble
pHAlkaline to neutral
P. cucullatumsubsp.cucullatum , also sometimes referred to as the ‘ Mosquito Plant ’ , is an evergreen plant shrub with a branch use .
It is well - know for its potent citrus scent and may produce attractive pinkish or purplish flowers sometime between spring and autumn .
Citronella plants can acquire to a maximum tiptop of around 1.5 yard , with a spread of between 0.5 - 1 m.
It can also be retain much smaller and originate in moderately sized containers .
Why Grow Citronella?
Like some other Pelargonium , this is an comestible plant .
“ Although the correct species name isP. cucullatumssp.cucullatum , this works will also be chance betray asP.‘Citronella ’ orP. cucullatum , ” explains Colin Skelly , a plantsman with nearly 15 old age of experience .
“ There is also a twice - bloom cultivar , P. cucculatum‘Flore Pleno ’ . It will often be sold and described as a scented leaved Pelargonium with other mintage and cultivars . ”
The scented flowers and leaves can both be eaten in a routine of formula and are used to bestow a lemony flavour and olfactory property .
While they may not help to keep insects out of your home , despite the rumours , prevent a citronella plant life indoors could bring in a pleasing scent to your living spaces .
In the UK , the citronella plant can not be raise alfresco during the winter , but can be placed outdoors in a ardent , sunny spot during the summer months .
Planting
Citronella plant require a cheery spot and temperatures above 5 - 10 ° C .
Over the summertime , it can be produce in chalk , loam or arenaceous soil which is well - enfeeble and has an alkaline or impersonal pH in a suited , sunny spot .
However , since it will not be capable to go outside in the UK when temperature accrue , it is typically grown in containers .
think of that a container should be fill with a fitly barren - draining growing culture medium , such as a peat - free multipurpose compost with add John Innes ( or an equivalent soil - base potting mixing ) , and tot grit .
If your citronella plant is being grown in the ground , plants should be lifted in former fall .
Alternatively , cuttings could be taken so as to have raw flora placed the following year .
These plants might also be develop indoorsall twelvemonth bout as houseplants .
Remember that these plants like a sunny location , so it is significant to check that when growing indoors , that you place them in as light and bright a spot as potential .
Ideally , these plants should get at least 6 hours of sunshine each daytime .
or else , they can expand in a sunny nursery that remains reliably frost - complimentary in winter .
When growing indoors or under back , ensuring passable ventilation is also important , as these plants require unspoiled airflow .
This might need open up windows or vents in summer and also might intend avoiding crowding too many potted industrial plant on a windowsill or glasshouse theatrical production .
Citronella works can be purchased online or from a bit of plant baby’s room .
They are typically purchased as male plug plants , or as pot - get specimens .
They can be planted out in recent spring or summertime after the last frosts in your area in a suitable speckle in your garden , or pot up into suitable container and placed either outdoors in a suitable location , greenhouse , or on a gay windowsill .
Spring is the good time to embed houseplant , to ensure the best organization .
However , you may pot up citronella plant to utilise as houseplant throughout the year .
Ongoing Plant Care
commend that citronella likes liberal - drain status , so it is authoritative to make indisputable that you do not overwater , and that piddle can drain freely from the container or through the garden soil in which it is grown .
However , you will need to passably water your works when growing indoors or under cover and should not have the growing medium dry out totally .
Remember that your works will require more water in the summer , though they still wo n’t need a vast amount .
Over the wintertime months , you should irrigate only very sparingly , and check that that the potting medium has time to dry each time you water .
outside , raw rain will usually be sufficient .
The plant life are jolly drouth resistant and in the UK , excess rain rather than too little rain is likely to be more of an issue .
Pelargonium will respond rather well to prey , so it is a proficient idea to offer plants in sight with a balanced , constitutive liquid provender every fortnight through saltation .
Then , once the flowers start to seem , you should flip to a potassium - rich feed , such as comfrey teaor another organic provender , and water with this every mates of weeks throughout the rest of the summertime .
Over autumn and winter , reduce prey to around once a month .
Flowers can be deadheaded to push blossoming and the plant can also be give a lightsome trim if command to keep their shape and size in check .
Plants grown outdoors can also be prune back hard in autumn to make it easier to overwinter them indoors .
If you are growing indoors year - round keeping your plants constantly in active increase , it can be a in force estimate to prune back hard in natural spring quick for the growth of the new time of year .
Unfortunately , these plants can be susceptible to a range of vulgar problems , specially when grown indoors or under blanket .
Aphids , whiteflies , vine weevils , caterpillars , glasshouse leafhopper and mealybug can all become an issue .
watch over your plants regularly and look at organic answer for plague management such as organic pesticide like soap nebulizer when growing indoors .
outside , further rude depredation and attain cuss control by make a wildlife - friendly garden where the ecosystem is in equipoise .
fortuitously , the citronella works is not commonly sham by diseases .
Propagation
Citronella plants can be propagate relatively easily by means of softwood slip , taken any time between spring and fall .
Take non - flowering shoots as these will settle down more easily .
Often , cuttings are taken in spring or early summertime and potted up by June 21 when they should have developed fairly strong ascendent systems .
late cuttings should only be pot up into their own mortal pot the next spring .
As tender plants , Citronellas are not necessarily humbled - maintenance plant , but for their lemony scent and their flowers , it may be well worthwhile have the attempt to grow these plants .
