4 Simple Steps for Overwintering Citronella Plants – for Gorgeously Scented Foliage Year After Year

Citronella (Pelargonium citrosum) is a popular scented-leaf pelargonium with a strong citrus-like smell. This scent is thought to deter mosquitoes, but that has never been proven; still, citronella remains a sought-after plant for summer with its textured foliage, delicate pink flowers, and that intoxicating scent when the leaves are crushed.

The plant is only hardy in US hardiness zones 9-11. When you grow citronella in warmer climates, it can be a perennial. In colder climates, it can either be treated as an annual or brought indoors for winter. Overwintering citronella plants indoors is simple and more sustainable than throwing away perfectly good plants at the end of each season.

Here is a straightforward guide to overwintering citronella plants indoors, including what to do and when, and a few common pitfalls to avoid. If your citronella plants spend summer in the ground, they need to be dug up and put into pots for winter. I always use terracotta pots for pelargoniums, like these eight-inch terracotta pots at Walmart.

How to Overwinter Citronella Plants in 4 Easy Steps

It may be unproven that citronella repels mosquitoes – even though you may see it marked as the ‘mosquito plant’ by retailers – but there are still plenty of good reasons to grow this scented pelargonium.

The sweet lemon fragrance from the serrated foliage is released when the leaves are crushed or brushed past and fills the air with a beautiful blast of citrus.

Citronella plants are ideal low-maintenance plants for pots that can live on a table, deck, or patio over summer, then retreat indoors for winter. Don’t be wasteful and let them succumb to winter; bring the tender plant indoors in November before the frosts.

Overwintering citronella plants saves you from needing to buy new plants annually and is a more sustainable way to garden than throwing everything away at the end of each season.

1. Bring the Plant Indoors

In climates that experience frost, overwintering citronella plants indoors is crucial. Only in US hardiness zones 9-11 is it likely to overwinter outdoors successfully with a layer of mulch to protect the roots.

The time to bring citronella plants indoors is when nighttime temperatures start falling to 45°F. Extended periods below this cause wilting and yellowing leaves. If frost touches a citronella plant, it will be severely damaged or killed. Monitor your local forecasts to act quickly when the nights get cold. This wireless weather station on Amazon provides accurate readings and weather forecasts.

Plants growing in containers can be easily brought indoors to a bright, cool location for winter. They will be happy at temperatures of 45°F to 50°F over winter, such as in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. Steady temperatures are best, so keep them away from fluctuating temperatures from radiators, air ducts, or heating vents.

Any citronella plants in flower beds or raised beds need to be dug up and put into containers to overwinter indoors. Fill your pots with well-draining potting soil, like this organic potting mix at Burpee.

It's worth bearing in mind that citronella is toxic to both humans and pets. If you're overwintering your plants indoors, then keep them well away from any nosy household pets.

2. Cut the Plants Back

The plants will continue to slowly grow at 45°F to 50°F through winter. It may feel harsh, but good practice is to cut the plant back by up to half when you bring it indoors for winter.

Use clean, sharp pruning shears (like these pruning snips at Burpee) and cut the stems back to just above a leaf node. You can use some of this material for pelargonium cuttings if you want to expand your citronella collection or act as an insurance policy in case you lose any over winter.

After trimming plants, check thoroughly for any pests or their eggs. When overwintering citronella plants, you don’t want to invite pests indoors to spread to other indoor plants.

You can combat any pest problems with insecticidal soap, available at Walmart.

3. Give Them Good Light

When overwintering citronella plants, they need light, air circulation, and frost protection to stay safe and healthy. Light ensures healthy growth, ventilation stops mold, and frost-free conditions keep them alive.

Pelargoniums need a bright, sunny spot for winter. This can be in a greenhouse, conservatory, porch, or on a west- or south-facing windowsill. Ideally, they will get at least six hours of light per day.

If they cannot get enough natural light during the colder, darker months, LED grow lights can supplement the levels over winter.

Grow lights are often useful for houseplants during winter to support healthy growth and keep them vibrant. Use a full-spectrum grow light like this on Amazon and position it at least six inches above the plant.

4. Reduce Watering Over Winter

Overwintering citronella plants need careful watering. Pelargoniums always require a delicate touch with a watering can. The soil needs to dry out between waterings, even during summer.

Citronella does not like sitting in wet soil for long periods – it can be easy to overwater indoor plants. The risks are especially high during the winter, when you need to water much less often than at other times of year. It can mean watering only every 2-4 weeks while the plant is indoors for winter.

Soak the plant, then keep a close eye on the soil and don’t water again until it dries out. A soil moisture meter, available on Amazon, can help you judge when to water plants over winter.

What you shouldn’t do over winter is feed plants. When early spring arrives, increase the watering and give the citronella its first feed of the year.

What to Shop

Any tender houseplants that come outdoors for summer also need to be moved back indoors well before the first frost. Along with pelargoniums, the likes of begonias, succulents, bromeliads, pothos, and Boston ferns should be among the plants you protect first before frost arrives. When the temperatures dip to 45-50°F, that is time to bring them indoors.

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