The search for a citronella plant often leads to two distinct species, which influences where you should look to buy. The plant most commonly sold as “citronella plant” is a scented geranium, Pelargonium citrosum. This geranium releases a citrus scent when its lacy leaves are crushed, but it contains only trace amounts of the oil and is not proven to repel insects by its presence alone. True citronella, the source of commercial insect-repelling oil, comes from two species of grass: Cymbopogon nardus or Cymbopogon winterianus. These true citronella grasses are less common in general retail but provide the active compounds, geraniol and citronellol.
Physical Retail Locations
Many consumers prefer buying plants in person, allowing for immediate planting and a direct assessment of the specimen’s health. You will find the widest selection of the scented geranium, Pelargonium citrosum, at major home improvement stores and large retail chains with garden centers. These stores stock high volumes during the peak spring and summer seasons, typically selling them in four-inch pots or larger decorative containers. Buyers should check for healthy root systems and avoid plants with yellowing leaves or signs of pests, as stock at these locations may have received less specialized care.
Independent garden centers and local nurseries are more likely to carry the true Citronella Grass, Cymbopogon nardus, or source it on request. These specialized retailers often provide superior quality stock and more detailed advice on care, especially for the tropical grass variety. Local growers may also offer a broader range of scented geranium cultivars beyond the standard “mosquito plant” variety. When purchasing from any physical location, gently inspect the underside of the leaves and the soil surface for signs of spider mites or fungus gnats.
Online Purchase Options
Purchasing citronella plants online expands access to specific cultivars and the harder-to-find true grass varieties, especially outside of the main growing season. Specialized online nurseries dedicated to herbs or tropical plants frequently offer Cymbopogon nardus as starter plants or small rooted cuttings. These vendors typically use sophisticated packaging to protect the foliage and root ball during transit. Reviewing the seller’s live plant shipping policy and customer feedback regarding packaging quality is advisable before placing an order.
Large e-commerce platforms and general gardening websites also offer both the geranium and the grass, often providing the option to purchase seeds rather than a mature plant. Buying seeds or unrooted cuttings is a more economical choice, but it requires a longer growing period and more specific propagation conditions. When ordering live plants, buyers should confirm the expected shipping date. Many specialized nurseries only ship to certain climate zones during optimal planting windows to ensure the plant’s survival.
Understanding Seasonal Availability
The availability of citronella plants is directly tied to their tropical nature and the prevailing climate in most regions. Both Pelargonium citrosum and Cymbopogon nardus are tender perennials, reliably perennial only in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, and will not tolerate frost. Because of this sensitivity, they are overwhelmingly sold as annuals in cooler climates. The peak retail season begins in late spring after the last expected frost date, ensuring the plants can be immediately placed outdoors.
Stock levels are highest between late spring and mid-summer, which is when garden centers and big-box stores dedicate floor space to seasonal annuals and patio plants. Attempting to purchase a mature plant in late fall or winter will prove difficult in most regions, as local garden centers will have cleared their seasonal inventory. During the colder months, the only reliable options are often online seed suppliers for the grass or specialized indoor plant vendors who cater to year-round cultivation.