May 18, 2026
Help Repel Mosquitoes with Citrosa Geraniums
Mosquitoes. These annoying flying pests are a staple of outdoor summer events, harassing their victims without mercy with their buzzing wings and sharp needle noses. So, what can we do about them? Well, staying indoors is the most effective, but not a great option for summer picnics and pool parties. Luckily, we can stay outdoors and socialize with the help of Citrosa Geraniums!
Light: Full Sun
Height: 24-48” (60-120cm)
Spacing: 15-20” (40-50cm) minimum
Fragrant Foliage
The foliage has a lot going for it: deeply cut, deeply ruffled, and intensely fragrant! Just a light brushing against the leaves will fill the air with a bright and lemony scent, which is known to repel mosquitoes! It’s unknown if the biting buzzers just hate the smell of Citrosa or if the odour messes with their in-flight systems, but either way they don’t like it so it’s great for us!
Big and Bushy
Depending on their location, Citrosa Geranium can grow from 2 feet to 4 feet tall (60 to 120cm) and upwards of 2 feet wide (60cm). That’s a lot of mosquito coverage per plant! A few large containers placed strategically around a patio or balcony, with just 1 plant per pot, could mean a peaceful evening with more birdsong and less buzzing (and itching).
Not Big on Blooms
The other geranium varieties (Pelargonium) are known for big flowerheads bursting with vibrantly coloured petals. The Citrosa geranium, not so much. There might be the occasional lavender-mauve bloom peeking through the greenery, but it’s all about the foliage for this annual grower.
Care and Tips
Like their geranium cousins, Citrosa do best in full sun locations with well-drained soil. They like to dry between deep waterings and thrive in the summer heat. Trim their foliage as needed to maintain their shape and remove spent flowers to conserve the plant’s energy.
Really Want to Ward Off Mosquitoes?
There are lots of different plants that can help repel mosquitoes, including Lemongrass, Marigolds, Rosemary, Lavender, Catnip, and Basil. But the best way to keep your gardens mosquito-free is to remove their breeding grounds by draining any standing water, including bird baths, containers, wheelbarrows, etc. Adding water-loving perennials to low-lying areas can help drain excess rainfall; be sure to install fine mesh over your rain barrels to prevent any egg laying incidents.
You can also encourage their top 2 natural predators: dragonflies and bats. Dragonflies can eat up to 100 mosquitoes each day and have one of the greatest success rates of any flying predator. And when they clock out at dusk the bats take over the night shift, consuming hundreds or even thousands of the buzzing buzzkills before sunrise. Damselflies, frogs, spiders and many species of birds are also big mosquito fans. Make your garden a welcome buzzing buffet and you’ll have a more enjoyable, and less itchy, summer!
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