Citronella indoors over winter? Doable but fussy

Yes, but you’ll need a sunny spot and some patience.

Citronella (the Pelargonium citrosum or mosquito plant geranium) is technically a perennial, but it’s native to warm climates. Bring it inside before the first frost, and treat it like any other tender houseplant. The biggest challenges are light and heat.

It wants direct sun — like a south-facing window or a grow light a few inches away. Without enough light, it gets leggy and drops leaves. It also goes semidormant in cooler temps, so don’t stress if it stops growing. Water less (let the soil dry out), and don’t fertilize until spring.

One honest note: Indoors, it won’t repel mosquitoes. The scent is much weaker without heat and airflow crushing the leaves. If you’re hoping for natural bug protection, this won’t work. But if you just want to keep the plant alive for next summer, it’s totally fine.

Unless you’re attached to a big specimen, I’d take cuttings in late summer and root them in water. Small plants are easier to overwinter, and you avoid the awkward leggy phase. Otherwise, growing it indoors is mostly just keeping it alive until spring.