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natural spring and summertime are the perfect clip for enjoying your outdoor spaces . Whether you ’re gathered with friendsaround a campfireor make relaxed on a workbench by your flowers , it ’s a adorable time to savour the warm weather . mosquito make it significantly harder to enjoy .
While there are plenty of sprays , torches , and zapper you may use to keep the mosquito at bay , they are n’t always the most pleasant alternative . Why not try on get your own citronella plant ? Citronella oil is one of the most usually used mosquito repellent , so growing your own flora can make keeping the mosquito aside easier . Here ’s what to know about citronella plant life care .
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Planting citronella
Citronella , a close congener of lemongrass oil , can be implant in either a container or a traditional garden , but what climate zone you live in makes a big difference . In zone 9 and south , your citronella plant can grow as a perennial . However , north of zone 9 , your citronella may not survive over the wintertime and will do better in a container that can be brought indoors during cold weather . Citronella is not overly particular about soil type , but opt moderately moist dirt . Avoid soil that drain quickly , like you might apply for a cactus or succulent .
Start planting your citronella in the spring after the last frost has eliminate . If you desire to grow your citronella from seed , start them indoors three or four months before the predicted last frost . Citronella plants grow slow . Full sun to partial shade is ideal for citronella plants . Four to six hours of morning sun , come after by faint shade in the hottest hours of the afternoon , will keep your citronella looking bright and healthy .
Citronella plant care
Citronella plants do n’t call for a lot of care as long as they ’re planted by rights . verify your citronella is getting enough sun , or else it can soften and become long-legged . irrigate your citronella plant when the soil is dry . Depending on the weather and how much body of water you give it at a time , this could be every few twenty-four hour period or every other week . Citronella plants can support mild droughts , although they wo n’t be happy about it .
Citronella industrial plant turn in traditional garden typically do n’t need fertilizer , but works that are growing in containers , young , or develop in poor soil will apprize being fed . expend a balanced fertilizer , and only fertilize it during bound and summertime . During crepuscule and winter , citronella plants need less water and less fertilizer . you could also prune your citronella during give . While this is n’t purely necessary , it does promote salubrious growth .
Does citronella actually keep mosquitoes away?
Citronella candle and great mullein for certain keep mosquitoes away , but does the plant ? The answer is yes , although the effect is milder than you might expect from a standard candle or spray . This is because the candles and other mosquito repellent products are more concentrated . There are benefits to this . Namely , a more pleasant smell and a gentle standard pressure than lighting a citronella flannel mullein typically provides . to boot , since the plant does n’t demand to be prepared or lit in any path , it provides a more uniform benefit .
However , if you find yourself missing the more strong core of saturated citronella , you’re able to harvest from your citronella plant to make your own citronella essential oil . For a uncomplicated , short - term boost , you’re able to crush some of the leave-taking to release the oil colour . The effect is milder and more localized than using a hard spray .
What other plants can repel mosquitoes?
There are avariety of herbsthat can revolt insects from your garden , but can any of them help your citronella plant repel mosquitoes ? Several of them can ! Keep in judgement that , similar to citronella , the repellant force is strongest when using the oil itself , as it is more concentrated .
Growing the plants around your garden provides a more subtle , ambient trade protection . They discourage mosquitoes from living in your garden rather than outright disgust them . Many powerfully odoriferous herbs , such as rosemary , lemon balm , lemongrass , basil , stack , and lavender are reported to have some ability to repel mosquito .
There are other ways you may monish mosquitoes from setting up shop class in your 1000 . remove remain firm water is a great first dance step . This includes summate a chapeau toyour rain barreland either vacate any bird baths or water features you have or supplement a pump or filter to them so the piddle will hang or move . you’re able to also try attracting the natural predators of mosquitoes , which include dragonflies , sure birds , and frogs .
mosquito are a pain when you ’re trying to savor a restful eve in your garden , but there are ways to keep them at bay . Now that you know how to mature your own citronella plant , you ’ll have an easy time repelling the mosquitos . Whether you ’re planning on fill up your terrace with plants to keep mosquitoes forth or desire to try making your own mosquito spray with citronella plants , this lovely perennial is helpful to have around .
