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Citronella Essential Oil
The Radiant Shield of the Tropics
Citronella essential oil is a crisp, lemony and slightly woody oil steam-distilled from tropical grass, loved for its clean, fresh scent in outdoor evenings, home care and natural blends.
Botanical name: Cymbopogon winterianus (Java type)
Aroma: Crisp, lemony, grassy and slightly woody
Note: Top
Main growing region: Tropical Asia, including Indonesia
Typically extracted: Steam-distilled from the leaves
Blends well with: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Geranium and Lemongrass
Top 3 benefits:
- Outdoor companion: its fresh, grassy scent is a traditional favourite for garden evenings and outdoor gatherings.
- Fresh home air: a clean, citrusy aroma that makes a bright addition to diffuser blends and homemade room sprays.
- Uplifting scent: many people find its bright, lemony notes refreshing when the day feels heavy or sluggish.
Safety first: citronella can cause skin reactions in some people, so keep skin use to 1% or less, patch test first, and keep it away from cats and young children. Read the full safety information.
What Is Citronella Essential Oil?
Citronella essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves of aromatic tropical grasses in the Cymbopogon family. Two types are commonly sold: the Ceylon type (Cymbopogon nardus) and the Java type (Cymbopogon winterianus). The Java type is the one found in this oil, and it is generally the more highly regarded of the two for its cleaner, sweeter scent.
Its fresh character comes mainly from citronellal, geraniol and citronellol. Citronellal gives the sharp, lemony lift, while geraniol and citronellol add a softer, rosy-green roundness. The result is a crisp top note that works well on its own in a diffuser and blends easily with other citrus, mint and woody oils.
Benefits and Traditional Uses
The science: citronella is one of the best-known aromatic oils for outdoor use, and its strong citronellal scent has long been associated with warm-weather evenings. Its effect is short-lived, so think of it as a pleasant scent for the garden rather than a guaranteed protection.
How to use (the patio diffuser): add 5 drops of citronella and 2 drops of Peppermint to a diffuser placed on a garden table, well away from pets and where people are not sitting directly beside it.
The science: citronella has a clean, powerful aroma, and has shown antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies, which is why it often appears in natural home-care recipes. It is a fresh way to scent a room, a bin area or a gym bag.
How to use (the fresh spray): mix 10 drops with 100ml of distilled water and a tablespoon of witch hazel in a glass spray bottle (about 0.5%). Shake well before each use and test on a hidden patch of fabric first.
The science: like many bright citrus-style oils, citronella is traditionally associated with an uplifting, clearing effect. Research into aromatherapy is limited, so enjoy it as a pleasant part of your routine rather than a treatment.
How to use (the morning reset): put 1 or 2 drops on a tissue and keep it nearby while you work, or diffuse 4 drops with a drop of Eucalyptus in a ventilated room.
How to Use Citronella Essential Oil
| Method | Instructions | VivaForte tip |
|---|---|---|
| Diffusion | 4 to 6 drops in an ultrasonic diffuser, in short sessions in a well-ventilated room. | Ideal outdoors on a covered patio. Keep pets out of the room. |
| Inhalation | 1 to 2 drops on a tissue or cotton ball kept nearby. | Keep it off your skin and away from children. |
| Topical | Maximum 1% dilution (about 3 drops per 15ml of carrier oil). | Patch test first and avoid the face and broken skin. |
| Home and surfaces | 10 drops in 100ml of distilled water with a tablespoon of witch hazel (about 0.5%). | Shake before each use and test a small hidden area first. |
| Blending | 1 to 2 drops added to a diffuser blend as a bright top note. | Pair with peppermint, cedarwood or geranium. |
Citronella Safety Information
- Dilute and patch test. Use no more than 1% on the skin (about 3 drops per 15ml of carrier oil). Citronella may cause an allergic skin reaction, so patch test first and stop using it if irritation occurs. Avoid sensitive or damaged skin.
- External and aromatic use only. Do not swallow essential oils.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and health conditions. Speak to a healthcare professional before use.
- Children. Keep out of reach of children, and do not use on or near the face of babies or young children.
- Pets. Citronella oil can be harmful to pets, particularly cats. Ventilate the room and let animals leave when diffusing, and do not apply it to or near them.
- Chemical profile. High in citronellal, geraniol and citronellol.
For general guidance on dilution, patch testing and sun safety, read our Essential Oil Safety guide.
History and Heritage
Citronella grasses are native to tropical Asia and have long been grown across Sri Lanka, Java and other warm, humid regions. The name comes from the French citronnelle, meaning “little lemon”, a nod to its lemony scent.
The grass has been traditionally used in the places where it grows, in home cleaning, in scented household products and as an everyday garden plant. By the 19th and 20th centuries, citronella oil had become an important ingredient in soaps, candles and perfumery, and it remains widely used in home fragrance today.
Citronella Essential Oil FAQs
Is citronella essential oil safe to use on the skin?
Only when it is diluted and used with care. Keep skin use to 1% or less (about 3 drops per 15ml of carrier oil), patch test first, avoid the face and broken skin, and stop if irritation occurs.
Is citronella oil safe around pets?
Take care. Citronella can be harmful to pets, especially cats. If you diffuse it, use a ventilated room, let animals leave freely, and never apply it to their skin or fur.
Can I diffuse citronella indoors?
Yes, in short sessions of 30 to 60 minutes in a well-ventilated room. It is especially popular on a covered patio or balcony. Avoid closed rooms with babies or pets.
What does citronella smell like and what blends with it?
It smells crisp, lemony, grassy and slightly woody. It blends well with Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood and Geranium.
What is the difference between Java and Ceylon citronella?
Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) is generally richer in citronellal and geraniol and has a cleaner scent. Ceylon citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) is a related type with a slightly different profile.
Continue Exploring
- Lemongrass: a related grass oil with an even stronger lemony character.
- Peppermint: a cooling partner for patio and garden diffuser blends.
- Geranium: a soft floral that rounds off the sharp, grassy notes.
- Essential Oil Safety: dilution, patch testing and sun safety explained.
- All Single Essential Oils: browse the full VivaForte botanical range.