#LoveSummer/ Celebrations/ Garden Thyme/ Side Dishes

Garden Thyme: Citronella Mosquito Plant

July 23, 2014
Citronella Mosquito Plant

 Do you have a backyard, terrace, or other outdoor space? Constantly getting bitten by mosquitos? The citronella mosquito plant is great for the summer. Have you ever thought about where the “citronella” in citronella candles come from? Although the citronella mosquito plant is not a sole deterrent to mosquitoes, you can crush the leaves up and rub them on your skin for a more “natural” bug repellent. Especially areas that you hate spraying with bug spray like your neck or feet.

Citronella Mosquito Plant

You can keep this plant potted or planted in the ground. Ideally, this plant needs 3 to 6 hours of sun, but in partial shade. If potted, you can bring the plants indoors because they won’t survive the snow. I keep three plants on our patio in the areas where we like to gather around the fire pit. When some of the leaves die, I like to take them off the plant and throw in the fire. The citronella fragrance in the air helps keep the mosquitoes away. Do you already have a citronella mosquito plant? Let us know!

Citronella Mosquito Plant

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