Do you have the false citronella, Pelorgonium citrosum, a geranium that smells somewhat like citronella? It is often marketed at the mosquito plant or citronella geranium. Or do you have a member of the Cymbopagan genus, a grass species from which true citronella comes?

The former shouldn't be too difficult to keep alive in containers, with a great potting mix and good care.

Neither of those will withstand freezing temperatures. Bring them inside in winter.

Thank you, Candace. That's the answer I had NOT hoped for, but it is the information that I need. Rhizo, it is the geranium citronella that I was asking about. My original potted plant grew so tall and bushy last summer, it was a pain to keep inside during the winter. I kept having to prune and prune, and I rooted the cuttings. They would have been so great in an outdoor garden! But now I guess I will have to keep them in their pots.

That's why I wanted to know which plant you had.....the geranium, at least, can easily be propagated and grown inside. Not true for Cymbopagan.

I'd be tempted to take cuttings, then toss the unwieldy mother plant rather than deal with it all winter long.

If you have too many rooted cuttings you should consider bringing them to the plant swap on May 14 in Gadsden. Details are on the Alabama gardening forum front page. Susan