Summer is here with its scents and sounds: chirping of crickets, lapping waves, twittering birds but also that unmistakable buzzzzzz…. These unwelcome flying guests at our barbecues are an annoying accompaniment to aperitifs on the terrace.
Fortunately, nature provides us with an excellent ally to make summer evenings more enjoyable. Citronella grass.
An evergreen repellent
Citronella grass (also known as Lemongrass) is a perennial and evergreen herbaceous plant native to the warm, tropical regions of South Asia. Its leaves are very long and have an intense green colour. Its smell is reminiscent of lemon, a characteristic that also makes it suitable for use in the kitchen to make sauces, soups and infusions.
Citronella grass is effective as an anti-mosquito plant because of its scent, which insects find unpleasant.
Where to find it
The most repellent citronella varieties are: Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon winterianus.
You can easily find the plants to grow in pots or in the garden at nurseries and garden centres. Seeds are sold in gardening shops and on the internet.
How to grow it
In the garden
Place it in sheltered places, near bushes or ornamental plants, so that it does not suffer too much from cold in the winter. Remember that the plant begins to suffer when the temperature drops below 8°C.
In a pot
Place the plant in the sunniest area of the patio in spring, or near a sunny window, in autumn or winter. If you prefer to start with seeds, they should be planted in March and July.
Watering
Regular and frequent, especially in the summer.
Care
Remove dry leaves, prune the parts of the plant that appear weak in autumn and do not let water stagnate in the saucers as the plant’s roots could rot.
Size
It can reach a height of 1 metre and its leaves can grow up to 60-70 centimetres long. Enjoy your summer… without mosquitoes!
