This post may contain affiliate links.
As summer reaches its height, so does the unwelcome arrival of mosquitoes. If your outdoor spaces have become a haven for these pesky insects, you’re probably searching for natural ways to keep them at bay.
Planting mosquito-repellent plants in your garden or around your home can provide a natural, aromatic barrier against mosquitoes. Many plants naturally repel mosquitoes due to their specific scents or oils, which these insects find unappealing.
Here are 12 natural insect-repellent plants to help keep mosquitoes away this summer.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has a pleasant lemony scent that can create a beautiful aroma in your garden – but a very unpleasant scent for mosquitoes. This perennial can be grown in pots or directly in the ground, making it suitable for gardens of all sizes. Lemon balm can be invasive, so it’s best to plant it in a pot so it doesn’t overtake your herb garden.
Lavender
Lavender is a beautiful, rich purple color with a comforting scent. It adds beauty and fragrance to your garden and acts as a natural mosquito repellent.
The strong scent of lavender is highly disliked by mosquitoes and gnats, making it an effective deterrent. Lavender are common garden plants that thrive in a sunny spot and can be grown in pots.
Citronella Grass
Citronella grass is likely the most popular type of mosquito repellent – most commonly used in candles and insect repellent products. And there is a good reason for this.
The essential oil extracted from citronella emits a strong citrus fragrance, which masks the scents that attract mosquitoes. By planting citronella in your garden, you can create a barrier that deters mosquitoes from entering your outdoor space.
Peppermint
While many use peppermint for their morning tea or evening mojito cocktail, peppermint is believed to have mosquito-repelling effects. It has a powerful, strong, refreshing scent that mosquitoes dislike.
The strong scent may mask the mosquito’s ability to locate its targets, making it harder for them to find and bite you.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a popular culinary herb that is not only great for cooking meals but also has mosquito-repelling power. The strong fragrance of rosemary is a natural deterrent, keeping mosquitoes away from your garden.
Rosemary might be most effective when burned on a fire pit or grill, but you can also rub a few pieces against your skin for added protection.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is known for its high citral content, which makes it an effective ingredient in mosquito repellants. While it is commonly used in many Thai meals and other culinary dishes due to its delicious flavor, this plant makes an excellent addition to your natural repellant garden.
Marigold
Marigold plants are bountiful, rich, colorful flowers that can repel mosquitoes. These hardy flowers are easy to grow and require full sun to bloom.
Incorporating these flowers into your garden bed will beautify your space and help keep mosquitoes away.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus plants have some of the most amazing scents, medicinal uses, and the ability to repel mosquitoes.
Geranium
Geraniums are colorful flowering plants that add beauty to your garden and help repel mosquitoes. These plants produce a unique scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant, making them an effective natural deterrent. Geraniums are easy to care for and grow well in pots or in the garden.
Geraniums are most effective when crushed or rubbed against the skin as the geranium leaves emit chemical compounds that mosquitoes despise.
Catnip
Mosquitoes despise the smell of catnip – thanks to a chemical called nepetalactone. This chemical is both a cat attractant and an insect repellant. While it is excellent for repelling mosquitoes, cats are attracted to it, so expect those neighborhood cats to find their way into your space. In addition, it can also be quite invasive to a garden bed.
Basil
Like rosemary, basil plants are not only the perfect herb for cooking but also efficient at repelling mosquitoes. Place this mosquito-repelling plant near the patio, deck, or any other outdoor space where you spend the most time.
Basil also harms mosquito larvae, so you can place it near stagnant water to deter mosquitoes from laying their eggs.
Bee Balm
Bee balm, not to be confused with lemon balm, is a member of the mint family. This plant leaves behind a scent that mosquitoes loathe. Like Lemon Balm, it is a perennial herb that helps deter mosquitoes.
While it is great for discouraging mosquitoes, it is equally effective at attracting pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your garden.
19 Sun Loving Perennials Perfect for Sun-Kissed Gardens
From the drought-tolerant yarrow to the sweet fragrance of garden phlox, each plant has a unique story and role in your garden’s ecosystem. Here are 19 perennials for your sunny garden spaces.
19 Sun Loving Perennials Perfect for Sun-Kissed Gardens
How to Outsmart Gnats to Keep Them Away From Your Houseplants
Gnats are more than just a minor annoyance; these tiny pests buzz around with a persistence that’s hard to ignore. Here are ten effective ways to keep gnats away from your house plants.
How to Outsmart Gnats to Keep Them Away From Your Houseplants
24 Fun Backyard Entertainment Ideas Everyone Will Love
With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can turn your backyard into a haven for relaxation and enjoyment with these backyard entertainment ideas. Here are 25 Fun Backyard Entertainment Ideas.
25 Fun Backyard Entertainment Ideas
17 Colorful Plants to Grow for Fresh Flower Arrangements
For those looking to have a continuous supply of fresh flowers for stunning arrangements, consider planting these 24 colorful varieties. They will thrive in your garden and, in some cases, provide beautiful blooms year after year.
