Do citronella geraniums come back every year?

Citronella geraniums will survive outdoors year-round as a perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b through 11—i.e. much of the West Coast, the Southwest, and the Southeast of the United States. In other zones, they can be brought inside during the winter or left outside as an annual.

Is scented geranium the same as citronella?

Though many of its names leave the impression that it contains citronella, which is a common ingredient in insect repellent, the plant is actually a variety of scented geranium that simply produces a citronella-like scent when the leaves are crushed.

Will citronella geranium repel mosquitoes?

Despite the claims made on “Mosquito Plants” (lemon-scented geranium or “citronella plant”) sold at big box stores, the plants themselves don’t repel mosquitoes. It’s the oil inside the leaves that have properties that can repel mosquitoes. You would have to crush the leaves to extract these oils.

Can I grow citronella geranium?

Have you enjoyed your citronella plant outdoors and wondered if you can have citronella as a houseplant? The good news is that you certainly can grow this plant indoors. This plant is actually a type of geranium (Pelargonium genus) and is not frost hardy. It is considered an evergreen perennial in zones 9 through 11.

Can citronella survive winter?

These plants are sensitive to cold and will die if they are exposed to frost. In warm climates where frost does not occur, citronella plants can remain outdoor year-round. In colder regions, plants may be moved inside for the winter until warmer temperatures return.

What do you do with a citronella plant in the winter?

In cooler climes, your best bet is to plant citronella grass in pots that you can leave outdoors in summer and then bring inside once the weather turns cold. Since citronella prefers partial shade, find a space in your home that will provide enough sunlight to get your plants through the winter.

What type of geranium repels mosquitoes?

The Pelargonium citrosum, also known as the mosquito geranium, is the citronella plant that’s believed to have a repellent effect on mosquitoes. The citrus fragrance emitted by the plant’s leaves is very similar to that of citronella grass, hence the name given to the citronella geranium.

Is citronella geranium toxic to dogs?

Is citronella safe for pets? If you grow scented geraniums in the Pelargonium family, be sure to keep your dogs and cats away. Scented geraniums are toxic to pets.

Is citronella poisonous to dogs?

Citronella is toxic to pets Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don’t have access to any citronella plants in your garden.

Can you plant citronella plants in the ground?

Citronella Citronella is a perennial ‘clumping’ grass which grows to a height of 5 – 6 feet. It can be grown directly in the ground in climate zones where frost does not occur. If grown in the garden or near the patio, it should be planted in the ‘background’, behind small decorative flowers and shrubs.

Can you start a citronella plant from a cutting?

Citronella-scented geranium is easily propagated from stem cuttings. The cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches long, but more importantly they must have at least two leaf nodes — the raised buds along the stem that leaves or new stems can grow from.

Does citronella come back after winter?

Citronella Grass It is a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. In other areas, it is grown as an annual because it dies back during winter. Citronella grass grows best in full sun and is propagated by clump division.