Plant Care Guide

Citronella
(Mosquito Plant / Citrosa Geranium)

Pelargonium citrosum

The Citronella (scented geranium) is loved for its lemony fragrance and lacy, textured leaves. It’s easygoing in warm weather and great in containers on sunny patios. Note: the plant itself doesn’t repel mosquitoes at a distance—fragrance is released when leaves are rubbed/crushed—but with the right citronella plant care it’s a handsome, low-maintenance accent indoors or out.

Watering Requirements

Keep soil evenly moist in warm weather, then lighten up as days cool.

Watering Schedule

  • Spring–Summer: Water when the top 1 inch is dry; deeply soak, then drain.
  • Fall–Winter (indoors or cool temps): Let the top 2 inches dry before watering.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Limp growth with wet soil, mushy stems, leaf yellowing

Signs of Underwatering

  • Wilting at midday that doesn’t recover by evening, crispy edges

Pro Tips

Container grown plants dry faster—use the finger test at soil depth, not just the surface—core to reliable how to care for a citronella plant.

Light Requirements

Sun drives compact, bushy growth and strong scent.

Ideal Placement

  • Outdoors: 6+ hours of sun; provide afternoon shade in very hot/dry climates.
  • Indoors: Bright south/west window or grow light (12–14 hrs).

Too Much Sun

  • Bleached or scalded patches in extreme afternoon heat

Too Little Light

  • Leggy, sprawling stems that flop

Pro Tips

Rotate the pot weekly; pinch soft tips to keep a dense, mounded form—simple, effective citronella care.

Soil and Potting

Fast-draining, moderately rich mix prevents soggy roots.

Best Soil Mix

  • All-purpose potting mix + 20–30% perlite/pumice
  • Optional: small compost blend (≤10%) for slow nutrition

Container Notes

  • Use pots with ample drainage; unglazed clay helps excess moisture evaporate.
  • Repot up one size when roots circle or dry out very fast.

Pro Tips

Avoid oversized containers—they hold water too long and invite rot.

Fertilizing

Feed lightly but consistently during the growing season.

Fertilizer Schedule

  • Spring–Summer: Balanced liquid feed at ½ strength every 4–6 weeks (or slow-release per label).
  • Fall–Winter: Feed sparingly indoors (once or twice total) if growth continues.

Deficiency Clues

  • Pale new growth and weak scent can signal low nutrition or low light.

Pro Tips

If foliage tips brown, flush the pot with plain water to clear salts, then resume light feeding.

Pruning and Maintenance

Regular shaping keeps plants tidy and productive.

Pruning Guidelines

  • Pinch soft tips regularly to encourage branching.
  • Trim back lanky, leaning stems to just above a leaf node; use cuttings to propagate.
  • Remove faded flowers and any dead/damaged growth.

Pro Tips

A mid-summer light shear by 20–30% resets form and triggers a fresh flush of fragrant foliage—great for container displays.

Common Problems and Solutions

Leggy, Flopping Stems

  • Cause: Insufficient light
  • Fix: Move to more sun; pinch and cut back to shape

Yellow Leaves + Wet Soil

  • Cause: Overwatering/poor drainage
  • Fix: Let soil dry further between waterings; increase perlite

Scorched Leaf Patches

  • Cause: Intense afternoon sun/heat
  • Fix: Provide light afternoon shade; water in the morning

Pests (aphids, whitefly, mealybugs)

  • Fix: Rinse foliage; treat with insecticidal soap or neem weekly until clear; improve airflow

⚠️ Pet Safety

Scented geraniums can be toxic to pets if ingested or with skin contact—keep out of reach of cats and dogs.

Pro Tips

For the strongest citrus scent, light + light feeding beats heavy fertilizer—overfeeding pushes lush but less fragrant growth.