Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)

Fresh Lemony Fragrance — Natural, Easy, and Patio-Ready

The Citronella Plant (also known as the Mosquito Plant or Citronella Geranium, Pelargonium citrosum) is one of the most popular fragrant plants for outdoor living spaces. Brush against its lush, deeply lobed leaves and enjoy an immediate burst of clean, citrusy scent. It's low-maintenance, fast-growing, and thrives in containers — making it a go-to for patios, balconies, and garden borders.

Why Gardeners Love Citronella Plant

• Intensely Lemony Fragrance: The signature citronella scent releases on contact with the foliage — refreshing and invigorating in any outdoor setting.
• Beautiful Foliage: Deeply textured, bright-green leaves with an ornamental, lush appearance that looks great all season long.
• Container-Friendly: Thrives in pots, planters, window boxes, and raised beds — easy to move indoors when temperatures drop.
• Fast-Growing & Low Maintenance: Establishes quickly with minimal care — just sun, water, and well-draining soil.
• Available in Multipacks: Stock your entire patio or border with our 3-Pack or 10-Pack options for a cohesive, fragrant display.

Hardiness & Climate

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 9–11 as a perennial outdoors. In Zones 4–8, grow as an annual or bring containers indoors before first frost.
• Cold Tolerance: Sensitive to frost — move containers indoors when temps fall below 32°F (0°C).
• Overwinter Indoors: Keeps beautifully as a houseplant in a bright, sunny window through winter months.

Planting & Care Guide

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade — at least 4–6 hours of direct light daily. More sun = more fragrance.
• Watering: Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Overwatering is the most common mistake — these plants prefer to dry out slightly.
• Soil: Well-draining potting mix. Avoid heavy, moisture-retaining soils that can cause root rot.
• Fertilizing: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.
• Pruning: Pinch back leggy stems to encourage bushy, full growth and more fragrant foliage.

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Love fragrant plants for your patio? Check out the Little Ragu® Sweet Bay — a compact culinary herb tree with aromatic leaves, perfect for containers alongside your Citronella Plant.

Available in 1 Quart and 1 Gallon sizes, in Single, 3-Pack, and 10-Pack options. Grown and shipped by Live Good Logistics.