It’s happened to everyone. You’re sitting outside, enjoying the summer weather — and then the mosquitoes start to bite.
There’s no need to stock up on insect repellent just yet; simply stock your yard or garden with the best mosquito repelling plants.
By discouraging these pests naturally, you can enjoy the outdoors with peace of mind.
1. Catnip
Botanical name: Nepeta Cataria
One of the easiest ways to repel mosquitoes is to plant a few catnip plants in your yard.
This plant has such a strong odor to mosquitoes that it can keep them away more efficiently than full-strength bug spray.
The secret is a substance called nepetalactone, which is also repellent to a range of other unpleasant insects, including cockroaches. To maximize its effect, slice the leaves and use them to infuse olive oil.
Then, use the oil to keep away the bugs.
2. Citronella Geraniums
Botanical name: Pelargonium Citrosum
When citronella geraniums grow, they smell spectacular to humans.
Mosquitoes, on the other hand, detest the scent. In fact, they’ll avoid it whenever possible.
Surround your patio with these lovely flowers. If the bugs are still biting, crush a few leaves into a paste and apply it to your skin — you won’t get another bite.
3. Eucalyptus
Botanical name: Eucalyptus Globulus
Eucalyptus is a beautiful plant with distinctive grey-green leaves. It smells as great as it looks — at least to you and your family.
Flying insects do not like the cool, fresh scent. Place a few plants near your seating area; it’ll smell wonderful, and you won’t have to worry about bug bites.
Use the oil to keep other types of bugs away from your plants and home.
4. Floss Flower
Botanical name: Ageratum Houstonianum
Are you in search of a plant that repels mosquitoes and looks beautiful in your garden?
The floss flower is the perfect solution. These unusual blooms are an amazing addition to your space with their eye-catching centers and feathery purple flowers.
They’re also a natural producer of coumarin, a substance that keeps bugs away naturally. For best results, plant them around the yard and close to your favorite spots to relax.
5. Garlic
Botanical name: Allium Sativum
If you love to cook at home, garlic is a great way to repel mosquitoes.
The intense smell of garlic is hard for insects to tolerate, so they tend to keep a wide berth. Plus, you’ll have a steady supply of fresh garlic to spice up your recipes.
For maximum bug-repelling power, infuse oil with garlic and spray it around your seating area. If you want to put it on your skin, test it first; it may be too strong for sensitive skin.
6. Horsemint
Botanical name: Monarda Punctata
It’s well-known that citronella keeps the biting mosquitoes away.
Horsemint produces a similar substance that’s just as unpleasant to these pesky insects. It’s also beautiful; every year, you’ll see cheerful purple flowers pop up. On its own, the strong fragrance deters mosquitoes.
You can enhance the effect by rubbing the crushed leaves on your skin.
7. Lantana
Botanical name: Lantana Camara
Do you live in a region that’s known for Aedes mosquitoes?
Head to your garden center and pick up a few lantana plants. These bright, cheerful flowers emit a strong fragrance that mosquitoes don’t like.
Toss a few of the leaves in your fire to create a powerful, bug-repelling smoke. Keep an eye on your garden during the day — the lantana plant is a favorite for butterflies.
8. Lavender
Botanical name: Lavandula
Give your home a bit of a French Country vibe with lavender plants.
The spectacular fragrance, which is commonly used in soaps and bath products, smells great to you and terrible to mosquitoes.
The plant alone has some repellent powers; amplify them by mixing crushed lavender into oil and using it as a moisturizer. You’ll smell wonderful, and the mosquitoes will give you a pass.
9. Lemon Verbena
Botanical name: Aloysia Citrodora
If you’re a container gardener, lemon verbena is the ideal natural insect repellent.
This tall, bright green plant sends out a fresh, citrusy smell. To keep away unwanted biting bugs, pick a few of the leaves and crush them onto your skin.
The lemon fragrance is fresh and invigorating — and more importantly, it keeps mosquitoes at bay.
10. Lemongrass
Botanical name: Cymbopogon
Have you ever seen a natural insect repellent in a store?
Chances are, it’s made with lemongrass. That’s because this lovely plant produces two key chemicals: citronellol and geraniol. Mosquitoes can’t bear the scent, so they stay far away.
When you start to notice mosquitoes, simply pick a few leaves from the plant. Use your fingertips to squeeze out the moisture, and apply it to common bite points such as the back of your neck, ankles, and knees.
11. Lime Basil
Botanical name: Ocimum Americanum
Lime basil is one of those wonderful plants that serves many purposes — it’s fantastic for cooking, tastes great as a garnish, and emits a beautiful aroma.
If you’re dealing with mosquitoes, you’ll also be happy to learn that it’s a natural repellent. When you want to enjoy the great outdoors, pick a few branches and light them on fire.
They’ll create a pleasant-smelling smoke that rids your yard of bugs.
12. Neem Tree
Botanical name: Azadirachta Indica
When it comes to long-term, hands-off mosquito protection, it’s hard to do better than the neem tree.
The beautiful, lush branches add movement and color to your yard; they also act as an insect deterrent.
During strong mosquito seasons, prune away the dried sections of the tree and add them to your fire pit.
13. Pennyroyal
Botanical name: Mentha Pulegium
If you like the smell of fresh mint, the pennyroyal is an excellent bug repellent.
Cool and a little bit spicy, this plant adds a welcome freshness to your outdoor area. Plus, it’s easy to use — all you need to do is pick a sprig, crush the leaves slightly, and set it near your seat.
Since there’s no need to put the plant’s oil on your skin, pennyroyal works well for kids and people with allergies.
14. Pot Marigold
Botanical name: Calendula Officinalis
Enjoy your porch or patio in peace with the help of the pot marigold.
Each plant contains pyrethrum, which is unpleasant for flying insects like mosquitoes. As a bonus, the brilliant orange flowers brighten your yard.
You can use the plants alone or, for an even stronger effect, make an oil infusion to use on your skin.
15. Rosemary
Botanical name: Rosmarinus Officinalis
Do you love to cook at home? Rosemary is the perfect mosquito-repelling plant.
This fragrant herb smells wonderful to humans, but the fragrance is overwhelming for mosquitoes.
It has a small amount of repellent power in its whole form; you’ll get more of an effect by setting fire to small clumps of the dried leaves near your outdoor seating area. Just make sure they’re well-contained for safety.
16. Stone Root
Botanical name: Collinsonia Canadensis
As you’re choosing filler plants for your garden or back yard, look to the stone root.
Like lemongrass, this pretty green plant has a wonderful citrus fragrance that’s appealing to people and appalling to mosquitoes.
The whole leaves have a light repellent effect; take it to the next level by squeezing out the natural oils and using them on bite-prone body parts. Want to avoid leaf residue?
Crush a bunch of stone root leaves and place them in a small container of oil. After a few days, strain out the leaves and use the oil in place of your usual bug spray.
17. Carnivorous Plant
Some plants do more than repel mosquitoes — they eliminate them completely.
Carnivorous species such as the Venus flytrap attract insects and trap them, so they can’t pester you.
Another fun option is the drosera, which has a similar effect on your local mosquito population.
