Citronella Grass vs. Lemongrass, Compared and Explained

There ’s gobs of mental confusion out there about citronella grass versus lemon grass . So much confusion , in fact , that in India the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra citronella was blended into tea instead of lemongrass until a young natural scientist realized the mistake .

The naturalist , Pranay Ade , reported to Times of India , “ I collected the so - call lemongrass leaves in Gorewada [ a nature trail nearby ] and frustrate - checked with experts and farmers plant them . They state that it was citronella . ”

First Things First: Citronella Geranium vs. Citronella Grass

Our clause covers the differences between citronella grass versus lemongrass , and we wo n’t be babble about citronella geranium except for in this brief discussion section . We chose to do this because it ’s citronella grass that is so often unconnected for lemongrass oil , as the two plants are full cousin and have visual similarity .

Citronella geranium does n’t normally get mixed up with lemongrass due to its appearing . However , there might be a fleck of confusion because the botanic names of these two plants fathom a chip like . Citronella geranium ’s botanic name is Pelargonium citrosum . ( It also sometimes may be have-to doe with to as citrosa geranium or citrosa works . ) Pelargonium citrosum vocalise a niggling bit similar to the botanical name of lemon grass , Cymbopogon citratus .

If you ’re concerned in learning more about the conflict between citronella geranium and citronella sess , you ’re in destiny . We ’ve pay a whole article to comparing these two plants and explaining the difference . you’re able to learn more about the differences between citronella geranium and citronella grass in our clause Citronella Plant Versus Citronella Grass [ https://www.gardeningchannel.com/citronella-plant-vs-citronella-grass/ ] .

lemongrass

Citronella Grass vs. Lemongrass: Botany

Both citronella grass and lemongrass are part of the same home . As we ’ve learn , the botanic name for lemongrass oil is Cymbopogon citratus . The botanical name for citronella Gunter Grass is Cymbopogon nardus . ( You might sometimes see it refer to as Cymbopogon winterianum . ) Cymbopogon nardus is known in common spoken language as Java citronella , while Cymbopogon winterianum is known in coarse speech as Sri Lanka citronella .

You may see some other random flora for sale at greenhouse and garden center under the name “ citronella plant life . ” This is often done because the plants have a pleasing odour similar to that of the citronella . However , these other works do not have the mosquito - repelling holding of dependable citronella flora .

Citronella grasses have more all-encompassing tooth root systems than lemongrass industrial plant , work citronella grass best able to absorb water and nutrients . That ’s why citronella plants run to exist such a long time . The two citronella grass form , Cymbopogon winterianum and Cymbopogon nardus , live five to eight years for C. winterianum and six to 10 years for C. nardus ( with some reaching an astounding 20 twelvemonth ) .

citronella grass

Citronella Grass vs. Lemongrass: Appearance

Citronella dope and lemongrass oil do face alike , but citronella has a broad brand - determine leaf than lemongrass . Citronella grass also has leaves tinged with red or magenta at the shank ’s base , while this area is green like the ease of the foliation on lemongrass .

The fledged size of it of the plants is another way to tell them aside . matured lemongrass plants are between two feet and four feet tall and wide . matured citronella pasturage can stretch up to six foot grandiloquent and four understructure wide .

Lemongrass vs. Citronella: Mosquito Repellent

Both lemongrass and citronella have a citrusy fragrance when the leaves are crush , so both are natural insect repellant . However , you wo n’t get the insect disgustful effect simply by get citronella plant growing near you . You ’ll need to crush some citronella grass or lemon grass leaves and strew them on the ground , or beat out citronella grass or lemongrass against your skin , to get the insect repellent consequence .

While lemongrass and citronella supergrass are both effective raw insect repellent , you ’ll notice that different strains of mosquito react differently to these plant life . Despite this , you ’ll detect that when the leaf is crushed , citronella sens and lemon grass are just as in effect as commercial insect repellent .

Use the plants with caution against your skin , as it is potential they ’ll get an allergic chemical reaction or riled tegument . Start by testing a small domain , then waiting for a while to see if there is any untoward effect . If your skin persist clear , you ’re free to apply the citronella grass or lemon grass to great subdivision of cutis .

Lemongrass vs. Citronella: Propagation

Lemongrass is easy to propagate from the stalks you ’ll find at the grocery store . Soak the root ends in water and hold back two to four weeks for roots to develop .

The plants are ready to be planted when the roots have reached between half an column inch and one column inch long . That ’s your cue to plant lemon grass in rich , loamy filth with a neutral pH level ( between 6.8 and 7.2 ) .

Not certain what the pH level is in your soil ? you’re able to find out in our articleHow to essay pH in Your Soil .

lemongrass with text overlay Citronella Grass vs. Lemongrass, Compared and Explained

chance lemongrass a post that gets full Dominicus . That ’s at least six hours of verbatim temperateness each day . Lemongrass is hardy in zones 10 and 11 , but gardeners in other zones will need to bring in it deep down once the conditions gets too cold for it .

Citronella grass responds well to propagation by division . To start with , you ’ll ask fledged , well demonstrate plants between two and three age old . Always start propagation with the healthiest plants in your garden so you get the best solution . The best time to spread citronella grass by division is in the fall .

Start by gently digging up the citronella supergrass , take forethought not to damage its beginning . Then divide the industrial plant , leaving an adequate dowry of stems , folio , and source on each specimen . Clip the farewell back until they quantify just six inches long , then move the divided citronella grass into fresh container full of damp potting soil . You ’ll see new leaf growth start as the industrial plant arouse up from quiescency in the spring .

Lemongrass vs. Citronella: Care Requirements

Lemongrass and citronella have very alike care requirements . In fact , their care necessity are so like that you’re able to acquire lemongrass and citronella grass together .

Though both plant boom in full sunshine ( that ’s at least six hour of verbatim sunshine every day ) , citronella sess will also tolerate partial shade . The USDA Hardiness Zones for lemon grass are 10 and 11 , while for citronella grass it ’s 10 through 12 .

Lemongrass vs. Citronella: Culinary Uses

While lemon grass has a unattackable culinary comportment , citronella just does n’t belong to in the kitchen . ( That ’s what was so alarming about the story where lemon grass and citronella got change over for consumption in tea ! )

Apart from its usage in tea leaf , lemongrass is a component of Indian , Indonesia , and Sri Lankan cuisine .

The stalk part of lemongrass is what ’s used in the kitchen . It ’s available both in its novel shape and in a dry out strain .

In ending , there ’s mountain that these two plant life have in vulgar . Both are lump - forming , and both plants have narrow , sword - alike leaves emerging from the numerous stem that mature from their rhizomes . In gain to repelling mosquitoes and other garden pests , the plants are each well know for use in common people medicine and cosmetic , fragrance , and , in the showcase of lemongrass , food preparation . Both plants have a citrusy aroma , and both are recurrent grasses in their aboriginal tropical region .

But despite the works having so much in vernacular , you ’ve get wind it ’s their differences that allow you to tell them apart . fledged lemongrass plant top out around four feet marvelous , while citronella grass can grow to make a tiptop of four foot marvellous . you could check the base of each works ’s foliage , where you ’ll find that citronella dope is pinkish or red while lemongrass is light-green like the rest of the leaves . Now you ’re an expert in citronella grass and lemongrass , able-bodied to distinguish between the two and care for them well .