14 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes – The Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

While many commercial mosquito repellents are available, you can also use plants to keep mosquitoes away.

These 14 mosquito repellent plants are not only effective at repelling mosquitoes, but they are also beautiful and fragrant. They can add a touch of beauty and elegance to your garden and help keep you safe from mosquitoes.

Basil

Basil is not only a flavorful herb but also an effective natural mosquito repellent. Its strong aroma acts as a deterrent, keeping mosquitoes at bay. Planting basil in your garden or placing pots of basil around your outdoor living areas can help create a mosquito-free environment.

Peppermint

Peppermint, with its refreshing scent, is a natural mosquito repellent. Planting peppermint in your garden or placing pots of peppermint around your outdoor spaces can help keep mosquitoes at bay. The strong fragrance of the peppermint plant acts as a deterrent, making it an effective and pleasant way to repel mosquitoes.

Sage 

Sage contains natural compounds that mosquitoes find repulsive, making it a useful plant for keeping them away. Planting sage in your garden or burning dried sage leaves as incense can help deter mosquitoes and create a mosquito-free environment. You can toss this perennial plant into flames (i.e., in a fire pit), producing an earthy smell that effectively wards off mosquitoes and other bugs like flies. You can also dry up sage plants and use them to make natural homemade bug spray.

Lavender

It is believed that lavender oil hinders mosquitoes’ ability to smell! Lavender is a tough and drought-resistant plant that, once established, only needs good sun and proper drainage.
Lavender produces a strong and pleasant aroma that mosquitoes find repulsive. Planting lavender in your garden or placing pots of lavender around your outdoor living areas can help keep mosquitoes away while adding beauty and fragrance to your surroundings.

Marigold

Marigolds are easy-to-grow annual plants that emit a smell that disorients mosquitoes. You can grow them in pots or near your home entrances to keep mosquitoes and other bugs out. Besides keeping mosquitoes away, Marigolds are also famous for repelling aphids, whiteflies, thrips, squash bugs, Mexican bean beetles, and tomato hornworms.

Ageratum

Also known as Floss Flower, Ageratum is a beautiful annual flower that works great as a container or bedding plant. Argeratums contain coumarin, a chemical compound that helps repel mosquitoes. Just plant cautiously, as this plant is toxic if ingested by humans and pets.

Lemon Grass

Lemon grass is known for its distinct smell and is one of the most famous mosquito-repelling plants. Lemon grass (or lemon-scented plants) are the best options to keep pests away. They are low maintenance and do best in large planters.

Citronella 

Citronella is a scented geranium and probably the most popular repelling plant. This plant’s strong favored scent is reminiscent of lemongrass, so it keeps several pests away. Citronella plants are fast-growing herbs that prefer warm, sunny, and dry conditions. If grown in cold areas, place them in planters and prune them regularly

Allium

Allium is a bulb plant that includes onions and garlic, releasing a strong aroma that mosquitos do not like. Allium plants grow whimsical balloon-shaped flowers atop their long slender stems that many can enjoy.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus contains natural compounds, such as citronellal, which mosquitoes find repellent. Planting eucalyptus in your garden or using eucalyptus oil can help repel mosquitoes and create a mosquito-free environment. The strong scent of eucalyptus acts as a deterrent, making it a valuable plant for mosquito control. This compound is released into the air when the tree leaves are crushed or rubbed, and it has a strong, pungent odor that mosquitoes and other insects find unpleasant. 

Catnip

Also known as catmint, catnip can thrive almost anywhere and grow as a commercial plant or as a weed. Catnip is very easy to care for and might invade other areas in your garden. If you are okay with this plant’s invasive nature, it will be an excellent mosquito repellent plant that can be up to ten times more effective than DEET – a chemical used in many insect repellant sprays.

Rosemary

Rosemary has a very woody smell that repels mosquitos and other insects, such as carrot flies and cabbage moths. Rosemary plants do best in hot and dry climates and thrive beautifully in containers ideal for winter. Besides keeping pests away, rosemary plants can also be used to season different dishes.

Pennyroyal

The Pennyroyal plant is known for its mosquito-repellent properties. Pennyroyal releases a strong fragrance that mosquitoes find repulsive, making it an effective natural deterrent. Planting Pennyroyal in your garden or placing pots of Pennyroyal around your outdoor areas can help keep mosquitoes at bay and provide you with a more enjoyable and mosquito-free environment. However, it’s important to note that Pennyroyal should be used cautiously, as it can be toxic to pets and humans in large quantities.

Beebalm

Who would like to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies while deterring pests like mosquitoes? Bee balm, also known as horsemint or Monarda, is the perfect plant to do so. Simply crushing this plant’s leaves to release its fragrant oils will keep mosquitoes and other pests away.

 

Other Guides from Planet Natural:

How to Grow and Care for Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)

7 Easy DIY Mosquito Traps (Simple Homemade Mosquito Traps)

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Home and Yard

 

This originally appeared on Planet Natural.