Citronellic acid is a colorless, clear liquid with a fresh green odor with some grassy, weedy notes. It is used as a nature identical flavor and fragrance. It is insoluble in water, and freely soluble in alcohol, propylene glycol, and essential oils.

Citronellic acid is found in cardamom. Citronellic acid is a flavouring ingredient Citronellic acid belongs to the family of Monoterpenes. These are compounds contaning a chain of two isoprene units. This compound belongs to the class of organic compounds known as acyclic monoterpenoids. These are monoterpenes that do not contain a cycle.