Why Is My Citronella Plant Dying? (3 Reasons)

Why Is My Citronella Plant Dying
Why Is My Citronella Plant Dying

Citronellas are perennial plants and are also a variety of grass. The great thing about this species is the oil created by them. This gives off a unique odor that is similar to lemons and helps in giving your entire garden a pleasant aroma. Though aside from being pleasant, the scent is also known for repelling animals and insects from your garden. Grass-like citronella is usually spread all around the garden as you can walk on it if required. Having features that help in repelling insects can be amazing as not only is the grass kept safe from pests but even the plants surrounding it.

Citronella Plant Dying

People also often use this grass as companion plants to their harvest so that the insects and animals being attracted are kept away. With that being said, users growing these plants in their house also sometimes ask the question “Why is my citronella plant dying?”. If you are getting the same issue, then going through this article should help you in finding some reasons behind the problem as well as ways that can be used to fix them.

  1. Overwatering The Plant

If you notice that the citronella in your garden has started dying, then there is a high chance that these might be getting too much water. Start by observing the condition of your plant. This is because most of these plants leave behind some indications that can be used to confirm where the problem is from.

If the grass was getting too much liquid, then it should be drooping and when touching it, you should be able to notice that it is too moist. The soil being moist is completely normal on the other hand which is why make sure that you only check the grass. If the problem is from too much water, then simply water your plants less.

You can also keep a drainage system set up in your garden that allows the liquid to escape through it. This can be great as it ensures that no amount of water gathers inside your soil. Drainage systems can also keep your gardens protected during heavy rainfall which is amazing.

  1. Underwatering The Plant

Instead of overwatering, the problem can also be from underwatering the citronella in your garden. When it comes to this, people should understand that it is important they keep these factors in check when growing plants. Repeat the same step as before and if you now notice that the grass is dry when touching it then it indicates that your plants are lacking water.

This shows how important it can be to check your plant before taking steps to protect it. Instead of lowering the amount of liquid being used, people can simply increase it to protect their grass. Make sure that the citronella gets enough water to keep the soil around it moist.

This helps it in absorbing the nutrients inside the soil and keeping itself healthy. If you already have a drainage system, then overwatering the plants is not possible. This is why you can pour water over the grass without having to worry about it getting collected.

  1. Pruning Your Grass

Other than the amount of water your citronella plants get, pruning them is another important factor. This includes cutting the grass in a specific manner which helps in keeping their growth under control. If done properly, then your plant should stay healthy throughout the year while also avoiding problems.

Although, if you have not been cutting the grass then it might have gotten quite long. This causes clamps to form inside it and cause additional problems. This can be quite annoying to deal with and also causes the grass to die after a few weeks. To prevent this, make sure that you mow your ground after every few days. If this is not possible then at least try mowing it every week for consistent results.

This not only makes your garden look beautiful but also ensures that the grass stays healthy. If you want slightly longer grass then make sure that it is getting enough sunlight and water every day. This also promotes its health and helps in keeping the plant alive for several years.

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