For a period of time, citronella was quite a difficult plant to find locally. Only lately, if I am not wrong did this plant become more commonly available in local nurseries. I may be wrong here since it was only recently did I attempt to find more about this plant, as it could have been ‘hanging around’for a long time?
Anyway, I noticed some of the retail nurseries selling the citronella and it was wrongly labelled as ‘lemon grass’instead. Oh well, I must admit that the two plants look very identical, only those into cooking or aromatherapy will know that this ‘lemon grass’on sale is not real thing since the smell emitted after crushing the leaves is vastly different.
Citronella and lemon grass are both closely related species belong to the genus Cymbopogon and are members of the Poaceae, family of the grasses. The scientific names of the lemon grass which is used in cooking is C. citratus while the citronella that has uses as an insect repellent and fragrance industry is C. nardus. Citronella oil extracted from the leaves are used to make mosquito repellents, in fact.
So how can one tell them apart? One of the most obvious tell-tale signs is that citronella has red pseudostems while those of the lemon grass are green. The citronella also have slightly wider leaf blades compared to those of the lemon grass.
These two plants are the ‘must-haves’in any medicinal or fragrant gardens.
Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus)
Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Hi, did you know citronella has been banned by the EU as an ingredient in insect repellents?
Hi Lis Gaunt! Would you happen to know the reason why?
Apparently it has been banned only because no one has bothered to prove it is safe. So have lavender and tea tree oil (though the ban on tea tree oil may be revoked after further testing). No worries about it actually being harmful unless you are allergic.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1529648/Christopher-Bookers-notebook.html
I love my citronella plants (grass and geraniums
How can you propagate citronella grass?
Hi Wilson,
Is there a citronella grass seed available? Where can I get some?
Thanks
Hi Sir Wilson
Good day
May i ask where i can buy localy, this citronella grass or seed
Thanks
Rey
Hi Wilson,
Do you know where I can buy Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon citratus in pots here in Singapore?
Thanks,
Ken Loon
Hi Wilson,
Would you please inform me where I can get “Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus)”. In USA the website will help or in Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia). The seller contact phone number address will more help. I would like to get one for my backyard to enjoin this coming summer backyard BBQ party.
Thanks
Thank You for the info. Have very Happy Holidays and may the Great Spirits bless you.
Bless You!!