Benefits of a Citronella Plant

Author: jlbdev,

Published On: September 23, 2019

Citronella Plant Benefits

Citronella is best known in candle form. We’ve all seen the large, outdoor buckets used to deter mosquitoes. But what is citronella? Where does it come from?

Like many of the best things in life, it comes from nature. Citronella is very similar to lemongrass. The two plants are related but their oils provide different services.

Let’s look at the citronella plant and some of its wonderful benefits. Why is it such a great plant to have around?

Citronella Plants Repels Pests 

It doesn’t take long to recognize the scent of citronella. The lemony scent is immediately recognizable. Fortunately, humans aren’t the only ones who pick up on this. Citronella effectively outpowers scents that insects enjoy like carbon dioxide and lactic acid. This is quite advantageous for humans since those two scents are an unavoidable part of our lives.

But will citronella keep away all of the insects? Even the good ones? We know the honeybee is crucial to the environment. So will a citronella plant deter them as well? Luckily, the answer is no. 

This goes for birds and other animals, as well. The Citronella plant has a very low toxicity so it’s very unlikely to have a negative effect on wildlife.

Want to enjoy the benefits of a citronella plant at home? Click here!

You Can Bring It Inside

Depending on where you live, winter is most likely not a good time to grow plants outside. Lucky for you the benefits of a citronella plant extend to the indoors as well. 

No matter how often we clean, there will inevitably be some insects inside the house. Whether it’s a mosquito or a gnat, the citronella plant’s repelling capabilities aren’t diminished by being grown in a pot.

Aside from repelling pests, the citronella plant smells good. It is great for freshening up a room or even a floral arrangement. The scent is released when the plants are rubbed or crushed, so give them a little squeeze after placing them in a vase.

It Grows Easily

Citronella plants will need to be brought inside if temperatures in your area get too low. However, if your area doesn’t reach freezing temperatures, the citronella plant is an evergreen perennial. But don’t worry if you have to scrape frost from your windows, the plant can be brought inside. 

If your citronella is planted directly into the ground, you can either dig it up or propagate it into a smaller pot. Once it’s inside, the lemony scent will keep you company all winter. But as we discussed earlier, bring the plant inside any time of year has its benefits.

Citronella Oil Has Many Uses

Citronella oil has been used for centuries in countries like China and Indonesia for its medicinal capabilities. The uses for citronella oil are quite varied. It can be used to treat:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Flu
  • Fatigue
  • Wounds
  • Inflammation

There are plenty of other examples of medicinal purposes of the citronella plant. Are there any other uses for citronella oil?

Anti-bark collars

We’ve covered how citronella can help with pests. But how can it be used for animals we like  having around? Bark collars are one of the more interesting uses for citronella oil. It can be used as an alternative to a shock collar for training your pup to stop barking so much. The collars have a microphone which detects when the dog barks. A small spray of citronella puffs out and essentially distracts the dog with its strong scent. The animal is momentarily confused, and then goes about its day without the lingering effects of an electrical shock. Not only that, but the owner gets to enjoy the fresh scent of citronella.

Aromatherapy

An essential oil diffuser as a great way to extract the elements of citronella oil. The diffuser dispenses the oil into the air either by breaking down the oil particles or by infusing it into steam. Citronella oil aids in circulation and increasing the flow of blood in your body. The antioxidants in citronella oil help with this. The result can be a lessening of arthritic symptoms. Aside from medicinal uses, diffusing the oil can simply be very relaxing.

The benefits of a citronella plant are a wide-reaching as they are wonderful. Many people know citronella can keep mosquitoes from your barbecue. But how many people know it can keep your dog from barking or help reduce inflammation? Citronella truly is a gift to have around the house, both inside and out.

To get your own citronella plant and enjoy all the wonderful benefits, visit Daylily Nursery today.