10 Plants that Can Keep Gnats Away

The Annoying Presence of Gnats

Have you ever been sitting outside enjoying the fresh air, only to have your peaceful moment ruined by a swarm of pesky gnats? These tiny insects can be incredibly annoying, and they seem to appear out of nowhere. Fortunately, there are some plants that can help keep them at bay. In this article, we'll take a look at 10 plants that can help keep gnats away.

The Power of Certain Plants

It's not just humans who find the scent of certain plants pleasant. Many insects, including gnats, are also repelled by certain plant odors. By strategically placing these plants around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away without having to resort to chemical insecticides.

Lavender

Lavender is a beautiful flowering plant that is prized for its lovely fragrance. However, gnats don't appreciate the scent nearly as much as humans do. By planting lavender around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away. You can also use dried lavender in sachets or potpourri to repel gnats indoors.

How to Grow Lavender

To grow lavender, you'll need well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight. The plant prefers dry conditions and doesn't like to be overwatered. When planting lavender, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also prune the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use lavender to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and flowers and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a lavender spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried lavender.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another plant that can help keep gnats away. The strong scent of peppermint is too overpowering for many insects, including gnats. By planting peppermint around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Peppermint

Peppermint is an easy plant to grow, and it can thrive in a variety of conditions. However, it prefers moist soil and partial sunlight. When planting peppermint, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also prune the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use peppermint to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a peppermint spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried peppermint.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a tropical plant that is commonly used in cooking. However, it also has powerful insect-repelling properties. By planting lemongrass around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Lemongrass

Lemongrass prefers warm, humid conditions and well-draining soil. When planting lemongrass, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also prune the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use lemongrass to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a lemongrass spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried lemongrass.

Citronella

Citronella is a natural insect repellent that is commonly used in candles and other products. However, you can also plant citronella around your home or garden to help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Citronella

Citronella prefers warm, humid conditions and well-draining soil. When planting citronella, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also prune the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use citronella to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a citronella spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried citronella.

Basil

Basil is a delicious herb that is commonly used in cooking. However, it also has powerful insect-repelling properties. By planting basil around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Basil

Basil prefers warm, sunny conditions and well-draining soil. When planting basil, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also prune the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use basil to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a basil spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried basil.

Marigolds

Marigolds are a beautiful flowering plant that is commonly used in gardens. However, they also have powerful insect-repelling properties. By planting marigolds around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Marigolds

Marigolds prefer warm, sunny conditions and well-draining soil. When planting marigolds, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use marigolds to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a marigold spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried marigolds.

Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous plants, such as pitcher plants and venus flytraps, are excellent at catching small insects like gnats. By planting these plants around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous plants require special growing conditions, such as high humidity and acidic soil. They also need to be watered with distilled or rainwater, as tap water can harm them. When planting carnivorous plants, make sure to follow the specific care instructions for each type of plant.

Tips for Catching Gnats

To use carnivorous plants to catch gnats, simply place the plants in areas where gnats are common. The plants will attract the gnats with their scent and then trap them inside their pitcher or other trap.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, and it has a delightful lemony scent. However, gnats don't appreciate the scent nearly as much as humans do. By planting lemon balm around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Lemon Balm

Lemon balm prefers partial shade and well-draining soil. When planting lemon balm, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also prune the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use lemon balm to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a lemon balm spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried lemon balm.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a delicious herb that is commonly used in cooking. However, it also has powerful insect-repelling properties. By planting rosemary around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Rosemary

Rosemary prefers warm, sunny conditions and well-draining soil. When planting rosemary, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also prune the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use rosemary to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a rosemary spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried rosemary.

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal is a member of the mint family, and it has a strong scent that is too overpowering for many insects, including gnats. By planting pennyroyal around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal prefers partial shade and well-draining soil. When planting pennyroyal, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also prune the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use pennyroyal to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a pennyroyal spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried pennyroyal.

Mint

Mint is another member of the mint family that has powerful insect-repelling properties. By planting mint around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Mint

Mint prefers partial shade and well-draining soil. When planting mint, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also prune the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use mint to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a mint spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried mint.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are a beautiful flowering plant that is commonly used in gardens. However, they also have powerful insect-repelling properties. By planting chrysanthemums around your home or garden, you can help keep gnats away naturally.

How to Grow Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums prefer warm, sunny conditions and well-draining soil. When planting chrysanthemums, make sure to space the plants out so that they have plenty of room to grow. You can also deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage healthy growth.

Tips for Repelling Gnats

To use chrysanthemums to repel gnats, you can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or clothing. You can also make a chrysanthemum spray by boiling water and adding fresh or dried chrysanthemums.

In there are many plants that can help keep gnats away naturally. By strategically placing these plants around your home or garden, you can enjoy the outdoors without being bothered by pesky gnats. Remember to follow the specific care instructions for each type of plant to ensure healthy growth and maximum insect-repelling power.

FAQs

Q: Are these plants safe for pets?

A: Some of these plants, such as lavender and rosemary, are safe for pets. However, others, such as pennyroyal and citronella, can be toxic to pets in large quantities. Always do your research before planting anything around your pets.

Q: Do I need to use all of these plants to repel gnats?

A: No, you don't need to use all of these plants. You can choose one or two that appeal to you and plant them strategically around your home or garden.

Q: Can I use essential oils instead of fresh or dried plants?

A: Yes, you can use essential oils to make sprays or rubs. However, make sure to dilute the oils properly and follow any safety precautions on the label.

Q: How often do I need to reapply the plant-based repellents?

A: It depends on the plant and how strong the scent is. You may need to reapply every hour or so, or you may be able to go a few hours between applications.

Q: Can these plants repel other insects besides gnats?

A: Yes, many of these plants have insect-repelling properties that can help keep other insects away as well.