Do Citronella plants work?

Citronella Geranium

Many people wonder: Do citronella plants work? They are called the mosquito plant, and they give off a scent mosquitoes don't like. And they are effective in repelling mosquitoes in small areas. Citronella geraniums do contain citronella, but it is not used to extract oil for commercial purposes.

Likewise, people ask, do any plants actually repel mosquitoes?

Unfortunately, I've never found any research showing that plants can effectively be used to repel mosquitoes. The plant most commonly sold as the mosquito plant or citrosa is a lemon-scented geranium. However, burning or boiling the herbs may help repel mosquitoes from an area.

Also, do Citronella plants come back every year? Also called mosquito plant, the citronella geranium cultivar is a perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b through 11. In other areas, it is either left in the ground and grown as an annual or dug up before winter and kept inside until spring.

Additionally, do Citronella plants actually work?

In fact, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden recommends lemon-scented plants such as citronella grass to keep mosquitoes at bay. And the good news is that the living plant is the most effective at repelling pests.

What is the best plant to keep mosquitoes away?

Here are five of the most effective mosquito repelling plants which are easy to grow in most regions of the US:

Citronella. Citronella is the most common natural ingredient used in formulating mosquito repellents.
Horsemint.
Marigolds.
Ageratum.
Catnip.

37 Related Question Answers Found

Does lavender really repel mosquitoes?

Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia – Even though lavender is a smell often enjoyed by humans, lavender repels mosquitoes because mosquitoes dislike the scent lavender gives off. It can be planted in gardens or made into oil and applied to the skin or mixed with other oils to keep mosquitoes away.

What smell do mosquitoes hate the most?

Oranges, lemons, lavender, basil and catnip naturally produce oils that repel mosquitoes and are generally pleasant to the nose – unless you're of the feline persuasion. The odor that mosquitoes most hate though is one you might not have heard of: Lantana.

Does Rosemary really repel mosquitoes?

Rosemary.

Though you'll want to plant an herb garden for cooking, rosemary repels flies and mosquitoes. It also has a pungent scent that drives away other bugs, including cabbage moths. It does well in hot dry weather, and thrives in containers, so you can set it in various places around the garden.

Is citronella plant poisonous to humans?

Toxicity. No evidence has been found for human toxicity. The base chemical of the plant, citral, is categorically rated low, slightly toxic, not acutely toxic or not rated. True citronella is derived from drying the plant Cymbopogon nardus.

Does lemon balm repel mosquitoes?

Not only do its leaves have a rich, zippy, lemon smell, but they also contain compounds that can repel mosquitoes. For a quick mosquito repellent, simply crush a handful of lemon balm leaves in your hand and rub them on your exposed skin.

Does Home Depot sell Citronella plants?

Citronella - Plants & Garden Flowers - Garden Center - The Home Depot.

What can I burn to repel mosquitoes?

Sage and Rosemary

If you're planning to gather around a fire, try burning a little sage or rosemary. The incense these plants give off when they burn not only smells good but is unpleasant enough to most species of insects that it'll repel them—as long as you're near the smoke.

Can you propagate citronella plant?

Rooting. Stem cuttings of citronella-scented geranium root easily in perlite, though you can use potting soil. Roots should form within two weeks. The cuttings can be potted until they are large enough to plant in the ground.

Why do mosquitoes hate citronella?

Citronella is naturally occurring oil that repels insects. It is distilled from two types of grass, according to the National Pesticide Information Center. The article explains that products with a citronella base are only effective as a mosquito repellent for about two hours, because the oils rapidly evaporate.

Is lemongrass and citronella the same?

Citronella and Lemongrass are cousins. They almost look the same, they grow the same way, and as essential oils, they are processed the same manner. Citronella has pseudostems that are colored reddish. Lemongrass, on the other hand, is green.

Is citronella plant bad for 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.

Is citronella toxic?

Citronella is listed as non toxic.

How do I keep mosquitoes out of my yard?

Here are her five no-nonsense tips for keeping mosquitoes out of your yard and away from your family.

Use Your Screens. Maximize fresh air indoors, but introduce a bugproof barrier.
Get Rid of Standing Water.
Keep Your Yard Under Control.
Use Fans Even Outdoors.
Keep Covered and Use Repellent.

How do you care for a potted citronella plant?

When growing indoors, make sure your citronella mosquito plant has lots of light, and maintain temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and about 55 degrees at night. Use a well-draining potting mix and fertilize with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer every month in the spring and summer.

Will a citronella plant repel mosquitoes?

Citronella Geranium

Citronella is probably one of the most common plants thought of when you think of mosquito-repellant plants. They are called the mosquito plant, and they give off a scent mosquitoes don't like. And they are effective in repelling mosquitoes in small areas.

What herbs repel mosquitoes?

11 Plants & Herbs That Naturally Repel Mosquitoes

Citronella. Chances are, you've heard of this one before- it's one of the most common ingredients in most mosquito repellents.
Lemon Balm.
Catnip.
Marigolds.
Basil.
Lavender.
Peppermint.
Garlic.

What is a natural way to repel mosquitoes?

Read on to see which natural repellents work best.

Lemon eucalyptus oil. Used since the 1940s, lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the more well-known natural repellents.
Lavender.
Cinnamon oil.
Thyme oil.
Greek catnip oil.
Soybean oil.
Citronella.
Tea tree oil.