12 Best Plants and Herbs That Repel Mosquitoes

Since lemongrass comprises citronella oil, a pure insect repellent that you will discover in mosquito sprays and candles you purchase on the retailer, you already know it’s going to work in your yard, too! Should you plant it, you may be happy with each the ample, grassy inexperienced look and the brilliant citrus scent—and the dearth of pesky critters close by. Oh, and you should use it as a tasty culinary herb as properly. This plant likes it scorching, so develop it in an space that will get full solar.

Plant kind: Sometimes grown as an annual
Zones: Sep 11

You may also know this one as decorative onion! The allium is in the identical household as onions, garlic, and chives, and due to this fact shares a scent which is hated by many pests. The hardy bulbs produce stunning balls of purple, yellow, or pink flowers that bloom in spring—proper on time to assist repel mosquitoes. They will have to be planted in a spot with full solar or gentle shade in well-drained soil.

Plant kind: Perennial
Zones: 3-9, relying on selection
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer time

Not solely does fennel have properties which can be thought to assist struggle mosquitoes away, nevertheless it’s additionally so versatile within the kitchen. After you plant it in your yard, you should use it so as to add scrumptious taste to something from soups and pastas to salads and pizza! It should develop just like decorative grasses with a big, feathery look. The fronds are additionally nice hosts for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Simply you should definitely plant this hardy herb in full solar.

Plant kind: Perennial, however will be grown as an annual
Zones: 4-9
Bloom time: Mid-summer to late summer time

Citronella grass, generally known as mosquito grass, could sound acquainted to you! That is as a result of extracts from the plant are a go-to ingredient for a lot of industrial repellents (together with citronella candles). The perennial grass will develop properly in filtered daylight, however in the event you dwell in an space with intense afternoon warmth, be sure that it will get some shade. You may additionally need to ensure you have room for this plant as it could actually develop as much as six toes tall and 6 toes extensive.

Plant kind: Sometimes grown as an annual
Zones: 10-12

Whereas many people love the graceful and clear scent of lavender, mosquitoes simply do not feel the identical. Truly, the linalool odor is detestable to mosquitos, moths, flies, fleas, and different flying bugs, too. Questioning how to grow lavender? Properly, this beautiful plant thrives in well-drained soil and full solar. Whether or not you place it in raised beds, in-ground gardens or pots, simply be sure that it will get eight to 10 hours of direct daylight every day.

Plant kind: Perennial
Zones: 5-11, relying on kind
Bloom time: Summer season to fall

The attractive golden blooms of marigolds are far more than only a fairly addition to your backyard. Their distinct scent repels mosquitoes and different backyard pests, together with aphids, squash bugs, and tomato worms. Truly, they include a pure compound utilized in many insect repellents! After any threat of frost has handed, plant your marigolds in beds or pots that get full solar to partial shade and have fertile soil with satisfactory drainage.

Plant kind: Annual
Zones: 2-11
Bloom time: Late spring till frost

Think about this: You pluck off a leaf of mint to drop in your tea, then have a pleasant and enjoyable night spent on the porch—with out the incessant buzz of flying critters. Yup, the tasty garnish is sweet for a lot of issues! All kinds of mint crops (together with spearmint and peppermint) have a repelling scent. Should you do not plant it in a pot, you may need to segregate it out of your different herbs. Both method, mint does finest in moist however well-drained soil in full solar to partial shade.

Plant kind: Perennial
Zones: 3a-11b
Bloom time: Late spring to summer time

One other scent beloved by us and hated by pesky critters? Eucalyptus! The plant produces chemical compounds like linalool and geraniol that ship mosquitoes flying within the different path. You’ll be able to even discover eucalyptus oil in lots of industrial repellants. To develop it your self, ensure you plant it with ample time for the plant to ascertain earlier than the colder months. It wants fertile, well-drained soil and loads of daylight.

Plant kind: Sometimes grown as an annual
Zones: 7-11
Bloom time: Spring to fall

These vibrant flowers will add fireworks of colour to your raised beds or backyard whereas inviting many pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Regardless of all of the critters that get pleasure from it, bee balm has a robust scent that retains mosquitoes from coming round. You may need to plant it within the spring or fall in well-drained soil in an space that will get full solar. Notice: It’s going to do finest when put straight within the floor (not in a container).

Plant kind: Perennial
Zones: 3-9
Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall

Whereas its whimsical pompom-shaped blooms could look pretty to our eyes, biting bugs have a a lot totally different view. Floss flowers secrete a compound known as coumarin (generally utilized in industrial mosquito repellents), which has an odor that mosquitoes cannot stand. To make the most of this, plant the eye-catching annuals in your backyard in a sunny location that has wealthy soil with good drainage and constant moisture.

Plant kind: Sometimes grown as an annual
Zones: 9-10
Bloom time: Late spring to laborious frost

Not solely does basil carry us tasty pesto sauce, nevertheless it additionally retains away pesky pests akin to mosquitoes and houseflies due to an important oil known as eucalyptol that naturally repels bugs. Plant within the spring or summer time in fertile, well-drained soil. It is good for raised backyard beds, containers, and in-ground gardens so long as it will get ample solar. Bonus: Analysis reveals that basil is poisonous to mosquito larvae. Meaning you possibly can put it close to standing water to discourage mosquitoes from laying eggs.

Plant kind: Sometimes grown as an annual
Zones: Sep 11
Bloom time: Summer season to frost

Although our feline pals like it, mosquitoes hate it! A whiff of catnip can have mosquitoes buzzing off—and it is all due to a chemical known as nepetalactone which is each a cat attractant and an insect repellant. How nifty! The herb ought to be planted within the spring after the specter of frost is over and grows finest in well-draining soil the place it could actually obtain as a lot daylight as doable.

Plant kind: Perennial
Zones: 3-9
Bloom time: Late spring to early fall