Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant) in Zone 5a & 5b
Pelargonium citrosum
Yes, citronella plant (mosquito plant) grows in zones 5a and 5b. Set out nursery plants May 17–May 24.
When to plant citronella plant (mosquito plant) in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 16–Jul 23 (~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 5b
These go outside within two weeks of citronella plant (mosquito plant) in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMay 24–May 31
- BorageMay 10–May 17
- RosemaryMay 24–May 31
- DillMay 3–May 10
- CatmintMay 17–May 24
- Garlic Chives (Chinese Leeks)May 17–May 24
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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Citronella plant (mosquito plant) needs about 60 days from transplant to first harvest.
Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant) planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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.
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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)
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Growing Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant) in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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