Citronella Grass, Nardus, Capím Santo

Cymbopogonnardus

Family
Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Cymbopogon (sim-buh-POH-gon)
Species
nardus (NARD-us)
Synonym
Andropogon nardus
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Shiny/Glossy
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time
N/A
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline)
over 9.1 (very alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Cotati, California

Boca Raton, Florida

Kissimmee, Florida

Weston, Florida

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Gardener's Notes:

0
positive
3
neutrals
0
negative
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T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | January 2004 | neutral

Citronella nardus is the source of citronella oil, and can be mixed with vegetable oils for a homemade insect repellant.

T
Plant City, FL | October 2003 | neutral

I do not have Citronella nardus, aka Citronella Grass. It is stronly aromatic and decidedly more like insect repellant than lemong...Read More

D
D
(Zone 10a) | August 2003 | neutral

My friend gave this to me saying that it needs an optimum level of watering. He said that it should not be over-watered or under-watered....Read More

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