Plants that repel mosquitoes sound too good to be true, but they are! Yes, these plants turn your home or garden into a serene, buzzing-free paradise. Follow our guide for everything you need to know about mosquito-repellent plants.
Do Mosquito Repellent Plants Really Work?
The science says yes! Some plants' essential oils produce strong scents that prevent mosquito receptors from locating their tasty targets. Think of your garden or home plant collection as a perfume factory that blocks the appetizing dinner's aroma. You can also directly apply the "perfume" for better protection by rubbing the leaves on your skin.
Next time you see a mosquito and decide to ignore the bug, think twice! Did you know that these bugs are not only annoying but also dangerous? In some regions, they can transmit many severe diseases, such as West Nile and Dengue viruses. However, mosquitoes are most infamous for causing malaria, a potentially deadly parasitic sickness.
What Plants Do Mosquitoes Hate the Most?
The cure against mosquitoes is found! Mosquitoes really hate plants with strong odors. However, not all of the aromatic leafy friends out there could be your mosquito saviors. That's why we made a list of all the trustworthy anti-mosquito plants. They are:
- Lemon thyme
- Citronella grass
- Marigolds
- Garlic
- Lavender
- American Beautyberry
- Floss flower
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Allium
- Lemon balm
- Rosemary
- Catnip
- Monarda (Bee balm)
Mm, we can almost smell these greenies through the screen... Beware, mosquitoes!
What Is the Best Plant That Keeps Mosquitoes Away?
Our champion is Rosemary! A two-for-one deal: a mosquito repellent non-toxic to pets and a fresh ingredient for hundreds of recipes. The honorable mention goes to Citronella (Lemon) Grass. This greenie's smell will make you very happy and mosquitoes – very upset. If you see a natural mosquito repellent in a store, chances are it's Lemon Grass-based. This plant is super easy to grow, with the only downside: its toxicity for pets and zero frost resistance.
How to Use Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away
While the scent is a great weapon, the secret is in the oils within the leaves of the plant.
- Check for allergies first. Although rubbing essential oils into your skin might seem enticing (and rightly so!), they might cause irritation.
- No matter how aromatic, the essential oil is also not food, so keep it away from your mouth to be extra safe.
- Do a little allergy test, and feel free to rub crushed leaves on your neck, legs, and arms, or on objects surrounding you.
- Watch out for the juice unless you want to color your furniture!
Big List of Plants That Repel Mosquitoes
Get ready for the extended version of the mosquito-repellent plants list! If in doubt who your green mosquito guardian is, read on and find out.
Indoor Plants
Let’s delve deeper into the greenies surrounding us indoors.
Lemon Grass (Citronella Grass)
If you're in the warmer part of the globe and have no pets around, this is your champion right here. Maybe it's time to experiment with Asian-style cuisine? Get some pruners ready and get creative! Culinary qualities are what got Lemon Grass on the indoor list, but this plant is perfectly fine with living outdoors as well. Be careful to control its bushy clustered growth, though.
- Life Cycle: Perennial, annual
- Zones: 9-11
- Safety type: Toxic to pets
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is another culinary delight for you to consider growing in your kitchen. It’s also one of the plants to repel mosquitoes. If your lifestyle is chaos and stress at its best (we feel you), get one of these greenies and enjoy their calming, soothing effects. Make sure to provide a lot of sunlight for your leafy friend for a bountiful harvest.
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Zones: 3-7
- Safety type: Non-toxic
Peppermint
Yes, yes, at this point, we're making a culinary book. But it just so happened that the plant that repels mosquitoes' buds attracts humans. Isn't it a mystery? Ah, the aroma of peppermint tea. Definitely worth growing organically. Your best allies are well-drained soil and a plastic container.
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Zones: 3-8
- Safety type: Toxic for pets
Catnip
Sorry, cat owners! For the rest of you guys, we have amazing news. Catnip is probably one of the easiest plants to grow ever. Pretty flowers, very strong mosquito-repellent abilities, what else could you wish for? Pick a sunny spot and offer this leafy beauty a home.
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Zones: 3-8
- Safety type: Toxic for cats
Growing plants indoors can even turn small apartments into magical forests, and these particular greenies help keep the magic on and mosquitoes off.
Outdoor Plants
Now, let’s explore the mosquito repelling plants found outside.
Marigold
Marigold is number one among flowers that repel mosquitoes. If its peppy color and smell were not good enough reasons for you to invite them to your garden, here's the defining one: they repel mosquitoes like true champs!
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Zones: 2-11
- Safety type: Non-toxic to pets
American Beautyberry
The name says it all. This shrub is not only great for landscaping but also does well as a mosquito-repelling fence around it. The stalks covered in purple berries will catch the eye of your guests, enjoying a mosquito-free area next to your house. Perfect!
- Life Cycle: Deciduous
- Zones: 7-11
- Safety type: Non-toxic
Lemon Geranium
As long as you protect these flowers from the harsh sun, they will repay you with beauty and mosquito protection. A window box full of these pink blooms is a great summer idea.
- Life Cycle: Perennials
- Zones: 9-11
- Safety type: Toxic to pets
Allium
These adorable purple puffballs are less innocent than they seem, confusing mosquito receptors with their scent. Alliums might look delicate but are actually drought-resistant tough little guys perfect for novice gardeners.
- Life Cycle: Perennials
- Zones: 4-9
- Safety type: Toxic to pets
Being outdoors in the summer has never been easier! Visit your local garden depot and enjoy.
Hanging & Climbing Plants That Deter Mosquitoes
Trailing plants have the superpower to turn your home into an urban jungle and your garden into a wild wonderland. Some of them also have mosquito-repelling supernatural abilities!
- Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is our best pick. It’s the stunning, low-maintenance ground cover.
- Snowbush comes second. It’s a non-toxic beauty with aromatic white flowers and outstanding red stems.
Plants That Attract Mosquitoes
If you hate mosquitoes, these plants are not your friends. Stay away, and you won't look like a mosquito snack.
- Jasmine
- Water lilies
- Water hyacinths
- Monkey Grass
- Butterfly Bushes
- Taro plants
- Water lettuce
- Papyrus plants
Other Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away
Planting green guardians is not the only way to protect yourself from the blood-sucking invaders. Check out other 100% natural ways to keep the bugs at bay:
- Spray your home with an essential plant oil mixture.
- Burn lavender candles.
- Burn coffee grounds.
- Make mosquito traps from sugar and yeast.
- Use oscillating fans.
- Use screens and seal your space.
Humans get very creative when fighting annoying bugs, don't they?
FAQ
What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate the Most?
Mosquitoes hate strong smells, such as coffee grounds or lavender candle smoke, as well as the strong natural aroma of many flowering plants.
How to Treat Your Yard for Mosquitoes?
Check flower pots, bowls, buckets, and other items in your garden for standing water, and get rid of it. Water is basically a mosquito's breeding ground! Don't overuse sprinklers, ensure good drainage, and you should be fine. Lastly, consider dethatching the soil. More than one-half inch of thatch is already too much, so get ready to do some gardening work.
Do Mosquitoes Like Lavender?
No! Mosquitoes strongly dislike the smell of lavender coming from anywhere, be it a candle, oil, or fresh flower.
How Many Lavender Plants are Needed to Repel Mosquitoes?
Four to five lavender plants for a small or medium-sized yard is a perfect line of mosquito defense. If you can tolerate the overwhelming aroma yourself, definitely go for more!
Do Marigolds Keep Mosquitoes Away?
Yes, marigolds can be used for protection against mosquitoes. Humans love their strong smell, while mosquitoes absolutely hate it.
Does Basil Repel Mosquitoes?
Yes! The citronella, estragole, limonene, and nerolidol compounds in basil might be harmless to us (don't we all love basil in our recipes?), but they are really repulsive to mosquitoes.
We hope this article will help you enjoy a chill summer with no scratching and buzzing. Close your eyes, relax, and enjoy the sun. This is what summers are for.
