How to Propagate a Mosquito Plant
The mosquito plant--also known as the citrosa plant or mosquito geranium--is a hybrid of Chinese citronella and African geranium. The plant produces citronella oil, which is a natural mosquito repellent. The plant is a prolific grower, and home gardeners can propagate new plants from the original one with very little effort.
Clip a cutting at least 4 inches long from the mosquito plant. Use gardening shears so that the wound is smooth and clean. Make sure that there are at least three sets of leaves on the cutting.
Remove the lower set of leaves from the plant's stem. If you want to use rooting powder, dip the stem into the powder. This is optional, as mosquito plants root easily without rooting powder.
- The mosquito plant--also known as the citrosa plant or mosquito geranium--is a hybrid of Chinese citronella and African geranium.
- The plant is a prolific grower, and home gardeners can propagate new plants from the original one with very little effort.
Fill a cup with damp perlite, and push the mosquito plant stem into it. Wait a few weeks to allow root systems to develop.
Fill a flower pot with high-quality potting soil. Plant the newly rooted plant cutting into the center of the soil. Water immediately, to help the roots push trapped oxygen bubbles to the surface.
Grow A Mosquito Plant
Fill a large planting container one-third full with potting soil. Spread the root ball and arrange the mosquito plant in the pot at the same depth it was previously growing. Water the mosquito plant thoroughly, until water drips through the bottom of the pot. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, but don’t let the plant wilt. Fertilize a potted mosquito plant sparingly, about once a month. Too much nitrogen reduces the plant’s fragrance. Use a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer such as 5-5-5 or 10-10-10. Snip leggy branches just above a leaf node to promote fuller growth. Keep the plant from becoming top-heavy for its container. Mosquito plants prefer well-drained, average soil. Pinch back the plants to shape them.
- Fill a cup with damp perlite, and push the mosquito plant stem into it.
- Water the mosquito plant thoroughly, until water drips through the bottom of the pot.
Tip
Wait until autumn to propagate a mosquito plant. Mosquito plants stand a better chance of survival if they are pruned and propagated during the months of September and October.
Related Articles
References
- North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
- Bonnie Plants: Growing Mosquito Plants
- Bonnie Plants: Mosquito Plant Citronella
- Floridata: Cymbopogon Nardus
- Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association: Failure of the "Mosquito Plant," Pelargonium x Citrosum "Van Leenii," to Repel Adult Aedes Albopictus and Culex Quinquefasciatus in Florida
Tips
- Wait until autumn to propagate a mosquito plant. Mosquito plants stand a better chance of survival if they are pruned and propagated during the months of September and October.
Writer Bio
Elizabeth Balarini is a freelance writer and professional blogger who began writing professionally in 2006. Her work has been published on several websites. Her articles focus on where her passions lie: writing, web development, blogging, home and garden, and health and wellness. Balarini majored in English at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
