Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant) in Zone 10a & 10b
Pelargonium citrosum
Yes, citronella plant (mosquito plant) grows in zones 10a and 10b. Set out nursery plants Feb 6–Feb 13.
When to plant citronella plant (mosquito plant) in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Buy as a start: Buy as a nursery start and transplant outside. It's slow or unreliable from seed, so most gardeners skip seed-starting it entirely.
| Start indoors | Not started from seed; buy as a nursery start |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 6–Feb 13 |
| Estimated harvest | Apr 7–Apr 14 (~60 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 10b
These go outside within two weeks of citronella plant (mosquito plant) in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilFeb–Aug
- RosemaryFeb–Apr
- BorageJan 30–Feb 6
- LemongrassFeb 6–Feb 13
- Mexican Mint MarigoldFeb 6–Feb 13
- Pineapple SageFeb 6–Feb 13
This is a scented geranium marketed as a mosquito plant. The scent is lovely. The mosquito claim does not survive contact with the evidence.
How citronella plant (mosquito plant) fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Citronella plant (mosquito plant) needs about 60 days from transplant to first harvest.
Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant) planting windows in every zone
Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Buy as a start | May 22–May 29 | Jul 21–Jul 28 |
| 5a & 5b | Buy as a start | May 17–May 24 | Jul 16–Jul 23 |
| 6a & 6b | Buy as a start | May 2–May 9 | Jul 1–Jul 8 |
| 7a & 7b | Buy as a start | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jun 16–Jun 23 |
| 8a & 8b | Buy as a start | Apr 1–Apr 8 | May 31–Jun 7 |
| 9a & 9b | Buy as a start | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Apr 23–Apr 30 |
| 10a & 10b (your zone) | Buy as a start | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Apr 7–Apr 14 |
| 11a & 11b | Buy as a start | Jan 8–Jan 15 | Mar 9–Mar 16 |
Harvest dates are about 60 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for citronella plant (mosquito plant).
Where to buy citronella plant starts
Citronella plant (mosquito plant) is almost always bought as a nursery start rather than seeded. Check a local nursery or garden center; we haven't vetted online start/plant suppliers yet.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing citronella plant (mosquito plant)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%2010b%3A%20when%20to%20start%20seeds%20indoors%2C%20when%20to%20direct-sow%2C%20and%20when%20to%20expect%20a%20harvest.)
Pin this for later
Growing Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant) in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest