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As summer reaches its height, so does the unwelcome presence of mosquitoes. If your outdoor spaces have become a gathering spot for these pesky insects, you’re likely on the lookout for natural strategies to keep them at a distance.
Incorporating mosquito-repellent plants into your garden or around your home can provide a natural and fragrant barrier. Many plants naturally deter mosquitoes due to their unique scents or the essential oils they release, which mosquitoes find unattractive.
Here’s a list of 12 natural insect-repellent plants to help you keep the 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.
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.
Citronella Grass
Citronella grass is likely the most popular type of mosquito repellent, and it is 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, it is believed to have mosquito-repelling effects. Its powerful, refreshing scent is disliked by mosquitoes.
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.
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 is a perfect herb for cooking and also efficiently repels 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.
Related: 19 Stunning Red Flowers to Add Bold Color to Your Garden
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