How to Grow Mosquito Repellent Plant (Scented Geranium) in Home Pots: Care Methods and Precautions

Summer is here now, and whenever summer arrives, the mosquitoes come out too. Mosquito control is one of the important tasks of summer. Many people choose to place some mosquito-repellent plants in their homes, and the mosquito repellent plant is one of the common varieties. You can find mosquito repellent plants for sale on the market right now, but how do you grow a mosquito repellent plant? That is the question. We have gathered some information about growing mosquito repellent plants, so let's take a look:

Basic Information About the Mosquito Repellent Plant

The mosquito repellent plant is also called mosquito repellent scented herb or transgenic scented geranium, and mainly refers to the transgenic scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). Through transgenic technology, the mosquito-repellent gene — the citronellal gene structure — is inserted into the “scented herb,” using its own unique release system as a carrier to release citronellal into the air, while a DNA gene structure containing a fresh scent and air-purifying function is also inserted, forming a “natural evaporator” that fills the air with fragrance and achieves the mosquito-repellent effect.

Scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a perennial herb or shrub, reaching up to 1 m tall. The stems are erect, 80—90 cm tall, grayish-green, woody at the base, fleshy above, densely covered with glossy soft hairs, fragrant, and very vigorous. The leaves have long stalks, are broadly heart-shaped to ovate, with 5-7 palmate lobes, the lobes further divided, and the small lobe margins serrated; the flowers are small, densely borne in small umbels, opposite the leaves. The whole plant can be steam-distilled for aromatic oil and is often cultivated as an aromatic plant. Because of its fragrance, it is often grown in pots for ornament. It is native to South Africa.

In reality, there is no such plant as the mosquito repellent plant; it is merely a commercial name. It is called the “mosquito repellent plant” simply because merchants find it easier to sell that way.

Scented geranium varieties themselves do not have a mosquito-repellent effect; only the artificially transgenic scented geranium has this effect.

Propagation Methods for the Mosquito Repellent Plant

The mosquito repellent plant is usually propagated by seed or cuttings, and cuttings root easily in spring and autumn. In early March, sow the seeds in clean fine sandy soil at a depth of 3 cm. Four hours after sowing, water thoroughly, then keep the potting soil moist, neither too dry nor too wet. In early spring, place it indoors in a warm, bright spot. At a room temperature of around 20°C, germination and rooting take about 1 month. Then divide and transplant, using ordinary potting mix in small pots to grow the seedlings; when the seedlings are strong and white roots emerge from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, use fertilized potting mix with some crushed hoof pieces as a base fertilizer, and move them into chrysanthemum barrel pots to establish.

How to Grow the Mosquito Repellent Plant

1. Soil: The mosquito repellent plant prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil, and is generally fertilized once every 15-20 days. The mosquito-repellent effect is best when the plant is 30 cm tall with 40 leaves, and yellow leaves should be removed at any time. Seedlings grow extremely fast, so repotting is frequent during the seedling stage. Within 6 months, use a special homemade potting mix of 6 parts peat soil, 1.5 parts vermiculite, 1.5 parts perlite, and 1 part coal ash, with a pH that is slightly acidic to neutral. You can also buy ready-mixed commercial foliage substrate (pH 5.5-7) from a flower market. After six months, the plant is extremely adaptable and can be grown in any soil. Two-year-old plants have woody main stems and can be pruned and shaped freely according to personal preference.

2. Temperature: The most suitable growing temperature for the mosquito repellent plant is 10-25°C. It can overwinter safely above 0°C, and above 15°C it can normally release its lemon fragrance. The higher the temperature, the stronger the fragrance. Spraying a moderate mist of water on the leaves can keep citronellal releasing continuously, making the mosquito-repellent effect even better.

3. Light: The mosquito repellent plant prefers shade and cannot tolerate strong light during growth, especially in summer when shading must be strengthened. It can be planted under trees or in shady spots. For home pot culture, it is generally kept indoors in a shaded spot.

4. Water and fertilizer: After each repotting, water once, and begin fertilizing 10 days after the plant recovers. Spring and autumn are the periods of vigorous growth. Use 200 ppm solutions of 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 water-soluble compound fertilizers, applied alternately every 15 days. Watering should follow the principle of alternating dry and wet. In high summer temperatures, water less and do not fertilize, which helps the root system develop and improves disease resistance. For home cultivation, you can also apply a small amount of cake fertilizer and rice-washing water, etc.

5. Pests and diseases: Improper management can cause root rot or stem and leaf rot, followed by leaf shriveling, black spots, and then the whole plant withering. This is caused by excessive humidity, too high a temperature, and poor ventilation or too dense seedlings. You can spray fungicides such as chlorothalonil or carbendazim (800 to 1000 times dilution). However, do not spray frequently.

Precautions for Growing the Mosquito Repellent Plant

Sudden leaf drop in a short period is often due to too great a temperature fluctuation or insufficient light. Leaves turning yellow and soon falling off are mostly caused by insufficient light and overwatering. This phenomenon can also occur when winter temperatures are too low. Dry leaf tips or scorched leaf edges are sometimes due to too strong light or dry air, and sometimes caused by excessive fertilizing or dry potting soil. Spindly overgrowth of branches and leaves is mainly due to insufficient light, too much nitrogen fertilizer, and improper watering; move the plant to a bright spot and prune the branches. Yellow or brown spots like water stains on the leaves may be the result of overwatering, with mud splashing onto the leaves and then being exposed to the sun.

How do you grow a mosquito repellent plant? We have introduced the growing methods and precautions for the mosquito repellent plant in this article, hoping to help everyone. For more related information, please keep following other flower information.

How to Grow the Mosquito Repellent Plant: Growing Methods and Precautions

Summer is here now, and whenever summer arrives, the mosquitoes come out too. Mosquito control is one of the important tasks of summer. Many people choose to place some mosquito-repellent plants in their homes, and the mosquito repellent plant is one of the common varieties. You can find mosquito repellent plants for sale on the market right now, but how do you grow a mosquito repellent plant? That is the question. We have gathered some information about growing mosquito repellent plants, so let's take a look:

Basic Information About the Mosquito Repellent Plant

The mosquito repellent plant is also called mosquito repellent scented herb or transgenic scented geranium, and mainly refers to the transgenic scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). Through transgenic technology, the mosquito-repellent gene — the citronellal gene structure — is inserted into the “scented herb,” using its own unique release system as a carrier to release citronellal into the air, while a DNA gene structure containing a fresh scent and air-purifying function is also inserted, forming a “natural evaporator” that fills the air with fragrance and achieves the mosquito-repellent effect.

Scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a perennial herb or shrub, reaching up to 1 m tall. The stems are erect, 80—90 cm tall, grayish-green, woody at the base, fleshy above, densely covered with glossy soft hairs, fragrant, and very vigorous. The leaves have long stalks, are broadly heart-shaped to ovate, with 5-7 palmate lobes, the lobes further divided, and the small lobe margins serrated; the flowers are small, densely borne in small umbels, opposite the leaves. The whole plant can be steam-distilled for aromatic oil and is often cultivated as an aromatic plant. Because of its fragrance, it is often grown in pots for ornament. It is native to South Africa.

In reality, there is no such plant as the mosquito repellent plant; it is merely a commercial name. It is called the “mosquito repellent plant” simply because merchants find it easier to sell that way.

Scented geranium varieties themselves do not have a mosquito-repellent effect; only the artificially transgenic scented geranium has this effect.

Propagation Methods for the Mosquito Repellent Plant

The mosquito repellent plant is usually propagated by seed or cuttings, and cuttings root easily in spring and autumn. In early March, sow the seeds in clean fine sandy soil at a depth of 3 cm. Four hours after sowing, water thoroughly, then keep the potting soil moist, neither too dry nor too wet. In early spring, place it indoors in a warm, bright spot. At a room temperature of around 20°C, germination and rooting take about 1 month. Then divide and transplant, using ordinary potting mix in small pots to grow the seedlings; when the seedlings are strong and white roots emerge from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, use fertilized potting mix with some crushed hoof pieces as a base fertilizer, and move them into chrysanthemum barrel pots to establish.

How to Grow the Mosquito Repellent Plant

1. Soil: The mosquito repellent plant prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil, and is generally fertilized once every 15-20 days. The mosquito-repellent effect is best when the plant is 30 cm tall with 40 leaves, and yellow leaves should be removed at any time. Seedlings grow extremely fast, so repotting is frequent during the seedling stage. Within 6 months, use a special homemade potting mix of 6 parts peat soil, 1.5 parts vermiculite, 1.5 parts perlite, and 1 part coal ash, with a pH that is slightly acidic to neutral. You can also buy ready-mixed commercial foliage substrate (pH 5.5-7) from a flower market. After six months, the plant is extremely adaptable and can be grown in any soil. Two-year-old plants have woody main stems and can be pruned and shaped freely according to personal preference.

2. Temperature: The most suitable growing temperature for the mosquito repellent plant is 10-25°C. It can overwinter safely above 0°C, and above 15°C it can normally release its lemon fragrance. The higher the temperature, the stronger the fragrance. Spraying a moderate mist of water on the leaves can keep citronellal releasing continuously, making the mosquito-repellent effect even better.

3. Light: The mosquito repellent plant prefers shade and cannot tolerate strong light during growth, especially in summer when shading must be strengthened. It can be planted under trees or in shady spots. For home pot culture, it is generally kept indoors in a shaded spot.

4. Water and fertilizer: After each repotting, water once, and begin fertilizing 10 days after the plant recovers. Spring and autumn are the periods of vigorous growth. Use 200 ppm solutions of 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 water-soluble compound fertilizers, applied alternately every 15 days. Watering should follow the principle of alternating dry and wet. In high summer temperatures, water less and do not fertilize, which helps the root system develop and improves disease resistance. For home cultivation, you can also apply a small amount of cake fertilizer and rice-washing water, etc.

5. Pests and diseases: Improper management can cause root rot or stem and leaf rot, followed by leaf shriveling, black spots, and then the whole plant withering. This is caused by excessive humidity, too high a temperature, and poor ventilation or too dense seedlings. You can spray fungicides such as chlorothalonil or carbendazim (800 to 1000 times dilution). However, do not spray frequently.

Precautions for Growing the Mosquito Repellent Plant

Sudden leaf drop in a short period is often due to too great a temperature fluctuation or insufficient light. Leaves turning yellow and soon falling off are mostly caused by insufficient light and overwatering. This phenomenon can also occur when winter temperatures are too low. Dry leaf tips or scorched leaf edges are sometimes due to too strong light or dry air, and sometimes caused by excessive fertilizing or dry potting soil. Spindly overgrowth of branches and leaves is mainly due to insufficient light, too much nitrogen fertilizer, and improper watering; move the plant to a bright spot and prune the branches. Yellow or brown spots like water stains on the leaves may be the result of overwatering, with mud splashing onto the leaves and then being exposed to the sun.

How do you grow a mosquito repellent plant? We have introduced the growing methods and precautions for the mosquito repellent plant in this article, hoping to help everyone.

Growing Methods and Precautions for the Mosquito Repellent Plant

Summer is here now, and whenever summer arrives, the mosquitoes come out too. Mosquito control is one of the important tasks of summer. Many people choose to place some mosquito-repellent plants in their homes, and the mosquito repellent plant is one of the common varieties. You can find mosquito repellent plants for sale on the market right now, but how do you grow a mosquito repellent plant? That is the question. We have gathered some information about growing mosquito repellent plants, so let's take a look:

Basic Information About the Mosquito Repellent Plant

The mosquito repellent plant is also called mosquito repellent scented herb or transgenic scented geranium, and mainly refers to the transgenic scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). Through transgenic technology, the mosquito-repellent gene — the citronellal gene structure — is inserted into the “scented herb,” using its own unique release system as a carrier to release citronellal into the air, while a DNA gene structure containing a fresh scent and air-purifying function is also inserted, forming a “natural evaporator” that fills the air with fragrance and achieves the mosquito-repellent effect.

Scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is a perennial herb or shrub, reaching up to 1 m tall. The stems are erect, 80—90 cm tall, grayish-green, woody at the base, fleshy above, densely covered with glossy soft hairs, fragrant, and very vigorous. The leaves have long stalks, are broadly heart-shaped to ovate, with 5-7 palmate lobes, the lobes further divided, and the small lobe margins serrated; the flowers are small, densely borne in small umbels, opposite the leaves. The whole plant can be steam-distilled for aromatic oil and is often cultivated as an aromatic plant. Because of its fragrance, it is often grown in pots for ornament. It is native to South Africa.

In reality, there is no such plant as the mosquito repellent plant; it is merely a commercial name. It is called the “mosquito repellent plant” simply because merchants find it easier to sell that way.

Scented geranium varieties themselves do not have a mosquito-repellent effect; only the artificially transgenic scented geranium has this effect.

Propagation Methods for the Mosquito Repellent Plant

The mosquito repellent plant is usually propagated by seed or cuttings, and cuttings root easily in spring and autumn. In early March, sow the seeds in clean fine sandy soil at a depth of 3 cm. Four hours after sowing, water thoroughly, then keep the potting soil moist, neither too dry nor too wet. In early spring, place it indoors in a warm, bright spot. At a room temperature of around 20°C, germination and rooting take about 1 month. Then divide and transplant, using ordinary potting mix in small pots to grow the seedlings; when the seedlings are strong and white roots emerge from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, use fertilized potting mix with some crushed hoof pieces as a base fertilizer, and move them into chrysanthemum barrel pots to establish.

How to Grow the Mosquito Repellent Plant

1. Soil: The mosquito repellent plant prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil, and is generally fertilized once every 15-20 days. The mosquito-repellent effect is best when the plant is 30 cm tall with 40 leaves, and yellow leaves should be removed at any time. Seedlings grow extremely fast, so repotting is frequent during the seedling stage. Within 6 months, use a special homemade potting mix of 6 parts peat soil, 1.5 parts vermiculite, 1.5 parts perlite, and 1 part coal ash, with a pH that is slightly acidic to neutral. You can also buy ready-mixed commercial foliage substrate (pH 5.5-7) from a flower market. After six months, the plant is extremely adaptable and can be grown in any soil. Two-year-old plants have woody main stems and can be pruned and shaped freely according to personal preference.

2. Temperature: The most suitable growing temperature for the mosquito repellent plant is 10-25°C. It can overwinter safely above 0°C, and above 15°C it can normally release its lemon fragrance. The higher the temperature, the stronger the fragrance. Spraying a moderate mist of water on the leaves can keep citronellal releasing continuously, making the mosquito-repellent effect even better.

3. Light: The mosquito repellent plant prefers shade and cannot tolerate strong light during growth, especially in summer when shading must be strengthened. It can be planted under trees or in shady spots. For home pot culture, it is generally kept indoors in a shaded spot.

4. Water and fertilizer: After each repotting, water once, and begin fertilizing 10 days after the plant recovers. Spring and autumn are the periods of vigorous growth. Use 200 ppm solutions of 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 water-soluble compound fertilizers, applied alternately every 15 days. Watering should follow the principle of alternating dry and wet. In high summer temperatures, water less and do not fertilize, which helps the root system develop and improves disease resistance. For home cultivation, you can also apply a small amount of cake fertilizer and rice-washing water, etc.

5. Pests and diseases: Improper management can cause root rot or stem and leaf rot, followed by leaf shriveling, black spots, and then the whole plant withering. This is caused by excessive humidity, too high a temperature, and poor ventilation or too dense seedlings. You can spray fungicides such as chlorothalonil or carbendazim (800 to 1000 times dilution). However, do not spray frequently.

Precautions for Growing the Mosquito Repellent Plant

Sudden leaf drop in a short period is often due to too great a temperature fluctuation or insufficient light. Leaves turning yellow and soon falling off are mostly caused by insufficient light and overwatering. This phenomenon can also occur when winter temperatures are too low. Dry leaf tips or scorched leaf edges are sometimes due to too strong light or dry air, and sometimes caused by excessive fertilizing or dry potting soil. Spindly overgrowth of branches and leaves is mainly due to insufficient light, too much nitrogen fertilizer, and improper watering; move the plant to a bright spot and prune the branches. Yellow or brown spots like water stains on the leaves may be the result of overwatering, with mud splashing onto the leaves and then being exposed to the sun.

How do you grow a mosquito repellent plant? We have introduced the growing methods and precautions for the mosquito repellent plant in this article, hoping to help everyone. For more related information, please keep following other flower information.