10 Plants That Can Keep Mosquitoes Away

Are you tired of constantly battling pesky mosquitoes during outdoor activities? While there are many mosquito repellents on the market, they can often contain harsh chemicals that may not be suitable for everyone. Fortunately, nature has provided us with a solution in the form of mosquito-repelling plants. In this blog post, we'll explore the top 10 plants that can help keep mosquitoes at bay.

The Top 10 Mosquito-Repelling Plants

1. Citronella

Citronella is perhaps the most well-known plant when it comes to repelling mosquitoes. This tall grassy plant contains citronellol and geraniol, two natural compounds that work to mask mosquito attractants and confuse their sense of direction. You can find citronella candles and essential oils at many stores, but planting citronella in your garden or patio is a great way to enjoy its benefits all summer long.

Growing Tips:

Citronella thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant it in large pots or directly in the ground, and make sure to water it regularly.

How to Use:

Crush a few leaves and rub them on your skin to ward off mosquitoes. You can also burn citronella candles or use citronella essential oil in a diffuser.

2. Lavender

Lavender is a beautiful and fragrant herb that can also help keep mosquitoes away. Its strong scent is unpleasant to mosquitoes, making it an effective natural repellent. Plus, it's easy to grow and adds a lovely pop of color to any garden.

Growing Tips:

Lavender prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Plant it in a sunny spot and water it regularly, but be careful not to overwater.

How to Use:

Crush a few lavender leaves and rub them on your skin, or dry the flowers and use them in sachets around your home.

3. Marigolds

Marigolds are a colorful and hardy annual flower that can also help keep mosquitoes away. They contain pyrethrum, a natural insecticide that repels mosquitoes and other pests.

Growing Tips:

Marigolds thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant them in pots or directly in the ground, and make sure to water them regularly.

How to Use:

Place potted marigolds around your patio or porch to help keep mosquitoes away. You can also crush a few leaves and rub them on your skin.

4. Catnip

Catnip is a member of the mint family and contains nepetalactone, a natural compound that mosquitoes find repellent. It's also attractive to cats, so if you have feline friends, be prepared for them to love this plant!

Growing Tips:

Catnip is easy to grow and thrives in full sun or partial shade. Plant it in well-drained soil and water it regularly.

How to Use:

Crush a few catnip leaves and rub them on your skin, or dry the leaves and use them in sachets around your home.

5. Rosemary

Rosemary is a fragrant herb that's commonly used in cooking, but it also has mosquito-repelling properties. Its strong scent masks mosquito attractants and can help keep these pesky insects at bay.

Growing Tips:

Rosemary thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant it in a sunny spot and water it regularly.

How to Use:

Crush a few rosemary leaves and rub them on your skin, or burn dried rosemary as incense.

6. Basil

Basil is another fragrant herb that can help repel mosquitoes. It contains compounds like citronellol and eugenol that have insecticidal properties.

Growing Tips:

Basil prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Plant it in a sunny spot and water it regularly.

How to Use:

Crush a few basil leaves and rub them on your skin, or use the leaves in cooking.

7. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and has a pleasant lemony scent that's unappealing to mosquitoes. It's also said to have calming properties that can help soothe insect bites.

Growing Tips:

Lemon balm thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil. Plant it in a shady area and water it regularly.

How to Use:

Crush a few lemon balm leaves and rub them on your skin, or dry the leaves and use them in sachets around your home.

8. Peppermint

Peppermint is a popular herb that's commonly used in teas and other beverages. It also has mosquito-repelling properties thanks to its high concentration of menthol.

Growing Tips:

Peppermint prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Plant it in a shady area and water it regularly.

How to Use:

Crush a few peppermint leaves and rub them on your skin, or use the leaves in cooking or as tea.

9. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a tall tree that's native to Australia, but it can also be grown in other parts of the world. Its strong scent is unpleasant to mosquitoes and other insects.

Growing Tips:

Eucalyptus trees require full sun and well-drained soil. Plant them in a sunny spot and water them regularly.

How to Use:

Burn eucalyptus leaves as incense or use eucalyptus oil in a diffuser.

10. Geraniums

Geraniums are a popular flowering plant that can also help keep mosquitoes away. They contain citronellol, a natural compound that's known for its insect-repelling properties.

Growing Tips:

Geraniums thrive in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. Plant them in pots or directly in the ground, and make sure to water them regularly.

How to Use:

Place potted geraniums around your patio or porch to help keep mosquitoes away.


By incorporating these plants into your garden or patio, you can enjoy the benefits of natural mosquito repellents without exposing yourself to harsh chemicals. Whether you opt for a fragrant herb like lavender or a colorful flower like marigolds, there are many options to choose from.

FAQs

1. Do mosquito-repelling plants really work?

Yes, many plants contain natural compounds that repel mosquitoes and other insects. While they may not be as potent as chemical insecticides, they can still be an effective way to keep mosquitoes at bay.

2. How do I use mosquito-repelling plants?

You can crush the leaves of the plant and rub them on your skin, or place potted plants around your patio or porch to help keep mosquitoes away. You can also dry the leaves and use them in sachets around your home.

3. Can I grow these plants indoors?

Some of these plants, like basil and peppermint, can be grown indoors as long as they have access to plenty of sunlight. However, many of them, like marigolds and eucalyptus, are best suited for outdoor growing.

4. Are these plants safe for pets?

While many of these plants are safe for pets, some, like catnip and eucalyptus, can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. Always research a plant before bringing it into your home or garden, and keep it out of reach of pets.

5. Can planting these plants completely eliminate mosquitoes in my yard?

While planting mosquito-repelling plants can certainly help reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard, it's unlikely that they will completely eliminate them. To fully protect yourself from mosquitoes, you may need to use additional methods like mosquito netting or repellents.