|Common Name||Citronella Grass|
|Scientific Name:||Cymbopogon nardus|
|Note:||The plant is known for its ability to help repel mosquitoes. The geranium citronella plant is
|Common Name||Citronella Grass|
|Scientific Name:||Cymbopogon nardus|
|Note:||The plant is known for its ability to help repel mosquitoes. The geranium citronella plant is unable to do so.|
Citronella Grass Varieties
Here is a list of popular citronella varieties:
When people think of citronella grass, this is typically the variety to which they are referring. It is the plant that is generally harvested for citronella oil. It can grow to about 36 inches tall.
This variety, scientifically known as Cymbopogon martini, is often sold under ginger grass or palmarosa. People have been using it for medicinal purposes for millennia.
Of the varieties mentioned here, Java citronella will grow the tallest, to about 48 inches. It has broader leaves than Ceylon citronella.
How to Care for Indoor Citronella
Citronella is fairly easy to care for as long as you can find time to water it and it isn’t kept in freezing temperatures. Here are a few of the things that the plant requires:
Common Problems with Citronella
Even though the plant is easy to care for, you can encounter some problems growing Citronella grass. These will include the following:
How Does Citronella Grass Spread?
Citronella can be spread through the propagation of stem cuttings or through seed. Both methods will take several weeks.
What Container Should You Use for Citronella?
When repotting your citronella, look for a container that is a little larger than the plant as it will appreciate the room to grow. The pot should be well-draining, with several holes on the bottom.
When to Prune a Citronella
You should try to prune citronella in late winter or early spring for the best results. This way the plant will be ready for the growing season. You can use this time to reshape the plant in the way that you wish.
Companion Plants to a Citronella Grass
A few plants that can be grown as companions to citronella are as follows:
Known as a cheery flowering plant, the marigold is an annual that blooms for a long season. They are very easy to grow and maintain, making them the perfect plant for a new gardener. The full flowers, made from many layers of overlapping petals, come in many colors, most often gold, yellow, or orange, but they can also be found in maroon or red. You can also find hybrids that have two-toned flowers if you want to showcase something more unique. The flowers are also used as a home remedy for ulcers, period cramps, upset stomachs, and more.
Catnip, also known as Nepeta cataria, is a member of the mint family. This perennial is known for its minty smell that cats simply adore. The plant stands erect and has square stems and light-green foliage that resembles feathers. The leaves of the tea are often used for medicinal purposes, especially in tea form. Many people claim that it treats their anxiety, insomnia, and other symptoms. The flowers are lavender in color and are often used as a home remedy to treat coughs.
Lemon Balm Overview
As a part of the mint family, lemon balm is an upright perennial. While it grows best in cool temperatures, it will die in freezing temperatures. The good news is that will it regrow in the spring. It gets its common name from the lemon-scented leaves that appear to look like a light green mint. The flowers on the plant grow in small clusters of white or cream-colored blooms. The leaves are often used as part of a tea blend or in mixing fresh lemonade. Others will use it to zest up a salad or add flavor to their meat.
Bee Balm Overview
The bee balm plant is known for its daisy-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, white, and red. These perennial flowers sit at the top of square stems, surrounded by leafy bracts that have a slight purple hue. 