Citronella Candles

What is Citronella?

Citronella is a clumping, lemongrass type plant which grows to a height of five to six feet; a plant which is native to southeast Asia and grown commercially in Sri Lanka, India, Burma, Indonesia and Java. The plant is also grown as an ornamental in south Florida and southern California. Citronella is a perennial grass that flourishes in direct sunlight and well drained soil. In northern climate zones, people often grow citronella in large pots that they bring indoors for the winter.

The Citronella plant in and of itself, is not an effective mosquito repellent; rather it is the oil compound found within the plant that does the repelling. When the oil is extracted from the plant, it can be used in a number of product types, like lotions, sprays, soaps, incense, perfumery, cosmetics, and candles. It is also used in flavoring industries. The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers the oil of citronella as