Is mosquito-repellent plant easy to grow? An analysis of common reasons why it fails to survive

As is well known, the mosquito-repellent plant is a natural enemy of mosquitoes. It belongs to scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and because it has a special scent that mosquitoes fear the most, keeping a few pots at home in summer is an excellent choice.

In recent years, the reason many young people choose to grow mosquito-repellent plants is mainly that they are easy to buy on the market, and also that the scent they give off has absolutely no side effects even if inhaled by infants. In appearance, its leaves are alternate, with wavy serrated edges, and the veins appear reddish-brown, making it look very distinctive.

However, when it comes to care, although the mosquito-repellent plant is said to be easy to grow, quite a few flower enthusiasts complain that they cannot grow it well. So which step exactly is going wrong? First, you need to be clear about the soil properties. The mosquito-repellent plant likes neutral to slightly acidic, loose and airy soil. Generally speaking, if you buy it directly from a flower market, most are potted only with ordinary substrate soil, which easily becomes compacted during later care, preventing its roots from breathing and causing poor growth.

Second, improper daily light exposure can also easily cause poor growth. The mosquito-repellent plant is naturally light-loving. If your home environment is relatively dark, it cannot carry out photosynthesis, and the leaves will later turn yellow. If your home has good light but you do not shade it in time from intense summer sun, the leaves will be scorched over time, which will likewise affect its later growth. Therefore, in daily care, choose a spot with good indirect light to place it.

Finally, the mosquito-repellent plant grows at temperatures of 10 to 25 degrees. As long as it is in a suitable environment, it will grow very well. In addition, note that during high summer temperatures, you can appropriately spray water around the plant to cool it down and increase humidity. When winter comes, promptly move it to a warm indoor spot. If the care temperature is above 35 degrees or below 3 degrees, it will enter a semi-dormant state. At this time, no excessive care is needed; just wait until spring arrives, and it will recover.