Citronella plants, with the scientific name Cymbopogon nardus, belong to the family Poaceae. These aromatic perennials are native to tropical Asia and are widely cultivated for their oil, the popular citronella oil. These plants can grow up to six feet high and four feet wide. Like most plants, they can also be prone to problems and diseases and may die unless they are treated promptly.
How to save a dying citronella plant
1. Assess whether there are still living parts of the plant.
Check your dying citronella plant closely, as there may be a chance that you can revive it. Any sign of green could mean you can still bring the plant back to life. Check the roots, too: if they still appear plump and white, there is a chance that the plant can recover.
2. Check whether you have overwatered the plant.
Your citronella could be dying because of too much water. Overwatered plants manifest brown or yellow, wilted leaves. The soil is also usually moist and the roots will develop root rot. To fix this, you need to reduce your watering and change the soil, especially if it has become soggy or waterlogged.
3. Check whether you have watered your plants enough.
Your citronella plants could also be dying due to lack of water. The common signs of dehydrated plants include dried-out leaves that turn brown at the tips. The soil will crack and pull away from the edges of the pot.
Revive your thirsty plants by letting them soak in water for a few hours. Most plants are easily revived this way. Try to water more often, and see to it that the water reaches all the way to the roots. You can monitor the soil’s moisture with a moisture meter to help point you in the right direction.
4. Get rid of dead leaves.
Snip off the dead and brown leaves using a pair of pruning shears or scissors. You can also pinch off the dead leaves with your fingertips.
5. Prune back the stems.
Trim back any dead parts of the stems until only green tissue remains. You may also change the soil and the pot. However, do not expect instant changes; it could take a few weeks before you see any positive results from your efforts.
6. Check the lighting.
Your citronella plant could be dying because of insufficient light. These plants like a few hours of direct sunlight daily. If they are not getting enough sunlight, you need to move them to a new spot so they can soak up more sun.
7. Assess the humidity level.
Your citronella may also be dying due to low humidity. Common signs of this include wilting, browning and shriveling. These plants prefer moderate humidity. To increase the humidity, try misting the plants or grouping them together to raise the humidity level.
8. Make sure your plant is getting its required nutrients.
Your plant could be dying due to a nutrient deficiency in the soil. Malnourished plants manifest weak stems or discolored leaves, and you need to revive them with fertilizers. Repotting your dying plants could also be a lifesaver, since soil becomes depleted of nutrients over time. Repot the plants every few years to keep them properly nourished.
9. Give it at least a month and monitor for positive results.
Having given your dying plants the required care and attention, wait at least a month. It takes quite some time to nurse a dying plant back to health, and it could be weeks or even a month before you see any improvement.
If for any reason, you cannot revive your dying plant, you can still give it a final purpose. You can turn it into compost, which will be a natural fertilizer for your other plants.
Indications that your citronella plant is dying
- The plant has brown leaves, which could be an indication of insufficient light.
- The plant has yellow leaves, which could be due to inadequate light, overwatering or pests.
- The plant has spots or discoloration, which could be due to overwatering.
Reasons your citronella plant is dying
Overwatering
Citronella plants need moisture, but they cannot tolerate too much water. Overwatering could lead to yellowing leaves that eventually drop off. Water only when the soil’s surface is dry to the touch. Waterlogged soil could also lead to the leaching of essential nutrients, resulting in underfed plants.
Excessive sunlight
Citronella plants become weak and sickly if exposed to direct sun for too many hours. Place them in a spot with a natural shade that still allows some sunlight for them to grow well.
Soil quality
The quality of the soil can contribute to the death of citronella plants. If they are planted in soil that does not drain well, it could lead to fungal diseases like root rot. The ideal soil should be rich with organic matter, and compost may be added to enrich it further.
Citronella should ideally be planted in pots that have large draining holes in the bottom, to prevent root rot. You may also need to transplant them into bigger pots if their roots are becoming crowded.
Tips for a healthy citronella plant
- Expose the plant to sunlight for around six hours daily.
- Water the plant only when the top inch of soil has dried out.
- Use pots with sufficiently large drainage holes.
- Maintain a temperature around the plant of around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prune the plant at weekly intervals to avoid overcrowding.
Conclusion
Citronella plants are widely cultivated for their citronella oil, which is a well-known insect repellant. Like most plants, they can also be prone to problems and diseases that could lead to weakness and death. You can try to save your dying citronella plant by assessing your watering schedule and using fertilizers to nourish the soil. Also prune off dead leaves and assess the humidity level around the plant.
Image: istockphoto.com / ThamKC