Citronella is an aromatic herb that goes by many names: lemongrass, apiastro, moongrass, citronella, citraria, lemon leaf, lemon balm, lemon balm … As you may have guessed from some of its names, its main characteristic is its lemon aroma .
Native to the Mediterranean area and Asia, today it can be found in humid areas and shady grasslands in North America, Europe and the British Isles. Do you want to know more about this aromatic plant? Read on and discover more about citronella, a plant that repels mosquitoes.
Characteristics
Lemongrass is harvested in full sun and is widely used as a medicinal plant . It is a shrub around 60-90 cm tall, with stems branching from the base. Its aerial part can die in winter, but its root is perennial and every year it has new shoots. Citronella produces long , thin , bushy foliage whose arched leaves grow well alongside other exotic summer flowers and ornamental plants.
Plant citronella
The citronella plant is perfect for places with hot weather and is recommended to ward off mosquitoes and other annoying insects . If you want to have it in your garden, you should plant it in spring, after the frosts. You should select an area where the soil is well drained and receives at least six hours of sun a day. Dig a hole twice the size of the pot that the citronella is in, place the plant there, and cover it with the combination of one part soil and three parts potting soil. Water the plant well and, when yellow leaves appear, remove them.
Care
The best thing about this plant is that it does not need much extra care. Of course, you should water it in the dry season. In addition, it is a good idea to remove the citronella before the fall frosts, placing it in a pot or other container.
