Mosquito Shoo Geranium Plants

Identification

• Mosquito Shoo geraniums produce large, multi-lobed leaves that are bright green in color. The plant reaches up to 2 feet high, though it may reach no more than 1 foot when grown in the confines of a pot. Mosquito Shoo has lavender blossoms that add color to garden beds. The blossoms grow in clusters of five or more flowers, with each blossom sporting five overlapping petals. The petals of this geranium usually have a smooth edge.

Use Against Mosquitoes

• Citronella oil helps repel mosquitoes, but there is no proof that Mosquito Shoo plants produce enough of this oil to be a useful repellent. The oils must be released from the leaves in order to have any effect -- just growing the plants will not eradicate the mosquitoes. One way to use the citronella present in the geranium is to crush or bruise the leaves, then rub them on exposed skin. Test the oil on a small area of skin first to ensure you do not have an allergic reaction.

Cultural Requirements

• The Mosquito Shoo plant requires full sun and well-drained soil whether it is grown in pots or beds. These plants do not tolerate frost so must be set outside after all spring frost danger is past. Geraniums do not tolerate dry soil, so regular watering is a must. The Mosquito Shoo plant also benefits from monthly fertilization with a balanced, soluble fertilizer or a high-phosphorus fertilizer formulated for flowering plants.