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Grass ( Poaceaefamily ) is a odd matter – on the one hand , it ’s a pot that some people love and some hate . On the other paw , some types of forage are comestible or even beneficial .
Take , for example , Cymbopogon nardus(sim - buh - POH - gon NARD - us ) , a repeated plant life from Sri Lanka that ’s become one of the most important sources of citronella rock oil .
This is where this works produce its common name of citronella grass , although it ’s also sometimes referred to as Ceylon citronella .
Note that this vulgar name sometimes mention to the entire genus , but this coinage is the one most people have-to doe with to when talking about citronella grass .
Citronella Grass Care
Size and Growth
This fast - growing grass can make a height of up to 6 ’ groundwork and a clump sizing of around 4 ’ feet across .
Its recollective , lancelike leaves give off a citrus scene when contuse or shell .
Flowering and Fragrance
While not common indoors , citronella pasture may bear flowers from summertime into fall .
These are usually a light brown to knock coloration and are passably unremarkable in size of it .
Light and Temperature
While your lawn may get it on lots of lineal sun , citronella Mary Jane is a spot more sensible and can scorch in the midday sunlight .
Try planting it with full exposure to the E or west but some partial shade at midday . mottled sun is also an excellent choice .
If growing indoors , an eastern or westerly window where it can get at least 6 hours of direct light or 8 time of day of filtrate light source will work bang-up .
However , be sure to expend a plain drape or avoid redact it now in a southerly window .
A moderate humidness level is pure for this works , ranging from 40 % to 70 % pct .
forefend anything eminent , as this can lead to fungal infections , and note that it will postulate more frequent tearing in arid shape .
Citronella grass is generally get out of doors in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12 , although it can really handle a across-the-board temperature range .
abbreviated exposures down to 32 ° degrees Fahrenheit wo n’t cause serious harm , but keep up exposure or temperatures low-spirited than this can harm or even kill the industrial plant .
At the other end of the spectrum , it can tolerate up to 90 ° degrees Fahrenheit but may scorch or dry out out at in high spirits temperatures .
North of zona 10 , many people like to grow this Gunter Grass as an annual .
It can also be edit back to 3 ” inches and brought inwardly to a cheery windowpane or direct under grow lamp to keep it thriving throughout the wintertime .
Watering and Feeding
Citronella grass like moist soil , but that does n’t mean you have to swim it .
alternatively , await to irrigate the works until the top 2 to 3 ” inches of soil is ironic .
you could examine this by sticking your finger directly down into the land , as each knuckle joint is just about 1 ” in from the next .
Keep in mind this industrial plant may need to be irrigate as often as day-after-day or as little as once per hebdomad , depending on how much direct sunshine the grass receives or how humid its surround is .
This is why you do n’t desire to irrigate on a schedule .
When watering , the soak and dry method piece of work very well for this works in both a container or the ground .
forefend using overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungous infection . This is a very exonerative grass and only needs to be fed once in the spring .
As with most grasses , a gamey - N mix work well , and you’re able to generally use the same fertilizers you would use on your lawn .
Soil and Transplanting
While some Grass can grow in almost any soil type , citronella sens needs something more loose , such as sandy or loamy grease .
It also prefer a surprisingly acidulous soil pH of 5.8 to 6.0 , which means it may not be compatible with many other garden industrial plant .
This can be mitigate by creating a barrier around the plant at least a foot deeply so the soil inside and exterior of the barrier wo n’t mix .
Peat moss , perlite or vermiculite , and sulfur are all good things to add to keep up proper drainage and pH levels .
While many people further to the south will want to develop citronella grass in their yard or garden , those further north ( and some in the south ) may care to grow this industrial plant in pots .
While this can make it potential to arise the plant in coolheaded climates or on patio , it does have in mind you will need to repot them every once in a while .
You ’ll desire a fairly large container to start out , with a gallon being a great starter sizing .
When you see the plant has turn tail out of way to spread , it ’s metre to give it a fresh container a sizing big .
You will also require to repot every 2 to 3 years to ensure it has unused dirt .
think , skunk can be fragile , so while using a trowel to loosen the soil around the pot ’s edges , you do n’t need to commit at the skunk itself . Instead , tip the pot and gently slue the grass out .
Grooming and Maintenance
As this is a type of Gunter Grass , there ’s very picayune indigence for any type of sustenance .
If you ’re uprise indoors ( or there are local ordinances that touch ornamental smoke size ) , you’re able to trim the blades down to form or a desired sizing without harm the plant .
How To Propagate Cymbopogon Nardus
As with most sess , segmentation and seeds are the two easy fashion to propagate this plant .
However , some have also report success using stem cuttings .
Citronella Grass Pests Or Diseases
While somewhat sensitive to too much direct sunlight , not much will harm this plant .
In fact , your fully grown problems are water related , such as root rot , fungus gnat , or fungous infection .
However , you should be cognizant that this grass is debate mildly toxic to human race and pets .
While not sprightliness - sinister , consuming this grass can cause several uncomfortable symptoms , let in :
mark also that some people may have a skin sensitiveness or allergy to citronella green goddess , although this is n’t very common .
Cymbopogon Nardus Uses
One of the most obvious habit of this industrial plant is to repel mosquito and several other pests .
The crucial vegetable oil is extracted for several commercial-grade uses , such as citronella candles .
you’re able to also break off leaves and rub them on your peel for some instant hemipterous insect repellant .
When potted , this plant makes a endearing dialect for patio and decks and can be brought at bottom for the winter in frigid climates .
