Few things ruin a relaxing evening in the garden faster than a swarm of mosquitoes. Just when you’re ready to unwind, out come the tiny vampires, turning your peaceful retreat into a buzzing battleground.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to douse yourself in chemical sprays or fumble with netting to keep them at bay. With a little planning, your garden can do the work for you. Keep reading to discover the best perennial plants that not only beautify your space but also send mosquitoes packing.
How To Use Plants As Mosquito Repellents
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
If you want to keep the mosquitoes at bay, make sure you don’t create an inviting environment for them. Moisture will easily attract mosquitoes, so avoid water puddles or stagnant water (sitting in your wheelbarrow after the last rain) in your garden.
Position your mosquito repellent plants in places where the mosquitoes are likely to congregate. While these plants have properties that repel mosquitoes, the full benefit will only be achieved when you release the smells of the plants. You can do that by burning the plants or by squishing them between your fingers to break up the leaves.
You can also use them to make your own natural bug spray, instead of using store-bought bug sprays. Because you are using natural ingredients, it’s much safer for you, for the environment, and also for other wildlife. You can feel good about keeping the annoying mosquitoes away, but not causing any true harm to any living thing. You don’t have to worry about putting harsh chemicals on your body or burning or spraying chemicals in or around your home.
Perennial Plants That Repel Mosquitoes- 1. Bee Balm
Image credit: Depositphotos.
If you’re looking for natural insect repellents, you are in luck. There are some wonderful plants that work great for this purpose. Here’s a roundup of my favorite choices of perennial plants that repel mosquitoes and other insects.
First up is bee balm. While bee balm is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, it also repels mosquitoes. It’s also really pretty and comes in many colors, so why not add a few to your flower garden?
2. Cinnamon basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’)
Image Credit: Shutterstock
This perennial plant contains cinnamate, which is the thing that gives it its flavor. The plant has a range of practical uses outside of mosquito repelling, such as enhancing the flavor of other nearby fruits. It stops a lot of other bugs from invading your garden, too, and it’s extra tasty in a nice cool beverage as you soak in the sun’s rays!
3. Marigolds (Tagetes)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
You most commonly see these kinds of plants in their annual form, but they can self-sow depending on your climate and will constantly come back without you having to make any extra effort.
These beautiful flowers are a popular choice among gardening enthusiasts owing to their bright yellow and orange colors. Their strong scent is what makes them appealing to gardeners wanting to remove pests, though. They repel rabbits, deer, and a wide variety of insects. When planting them near fruits and vegetables, they act as a natural insecticide barrier.
4. Lemon Thyme (Thymus citriodorus)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Another option with a lemony scent is lemon thyme. This is a great variety of thyme that is less intense than some of the other varieties. It’s similar to lemon balm, but lemon balm is in the mint family (meaning it can take over quickly).
If you’re looking for a non-mint alternative, lemon thyme might work for your needs.
5. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Pennyroyal plants are a slightly more obscure option. They have purple flowers and both European and American versions. The European one is slightly more effective at getting rid of pests. You can put them in indirect sunlight and they’ll grow quite well.
As the plant grows long and trailing, it’s perfect for a hanging basket, too.
6. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
This plant can grow very quickly and take over the garden in an instant, so you need to make sure that it’s properly contained!
It’s more than worth the effort, though, as it repels not only mosquitoes but spiders and mice. Pick and dry some to make delicious teas that help digestion. This versatile plant is bound to keep the mosquitoes at bay with a bunch of practical uses to boot.
7. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
These daisy-looking flowers make a great addition to any garden. They don’t take much room in the garden, so pop a few of them between your existing plants.
They have a favored scent for most people, but will repel most insects. Insects hate the smell of feverfew and the pyrethrum oils it contains. Feverfew is also used to relieve symptoms of migraines and makes a good tea. Before doing this, however, consult with a doctor.
8. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Image Credit: Depositphotos.
Not only is sage great for cooking, but it will also keep mosquitoes away. Just add a few leaves to your outdoor fire, and you can enjoy a nice mosquito-free evening. Sage has an easily recognizable heady scent that smells nice to most gardeners, but that will keep those pesky insects away.
9. Lavender (Lavandula)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Lavender is ideal for those who live in dry, sunny climates and is a perfect addition to your garden. It smells beautiful, and it’s commonly used for aromatherapy.
Use it indoors in pretty sachets to repel any indoor insects. It takes a while for them to fully get established, but the lavender plant will make flowers within the first year. It may be worth planting your lavender in pots, but you could also plant it directly into the ground. We have a great guide on how to grow lavender here.
10. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Rosemary can grow pretty big (up to 3-4 feet tall and 5 feet wide!), but don’t be fooled – it makes a fantastic plant for your large planter. The popularity of rosemary comes from its scent and what it can add to cooking.
This popular scent is good at keeping mosquitoes away and is very practical too. Just remember to bring it indoors in the winter if you live in a climate below Zone 6 and you get particularly harsh winters.
Potted Plants That Repel Mosquitoes- 11. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Many of the herbs and plants mentioned above can easily be grown in pots and set around your back porch or home entrance to keep bugs away. Here are a few more potted plants to consider for your mosquito-repelling garden.
One such option to consider is lemongrass. A prolific plant, lemongrass is perfect for a container that you place by your entrance. It smells like lemons, and it’s good for tea as well.
12. Gum Tree (Eucalyptus)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
The strong smell of eucalyptus is welcome during the holidays, but it also helps keep mosquitoes away. Crush a few leaves and place them in a bowl or plate next to you for protection. Eucalyptus can grow outside, but if you prefer a potted version, get the silver drop eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunnii) you see above to move it to wherever it most beneficial to you.
13. Scented geraniums (Pelargonium)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
The scented geranium is perfect for containers, with its cute little, fragrant flowers. It looks especially cute in window boxes. And mosquitoes aren’t fans of it.
However, it won’t survive harsh winters. So, make sure to move your plants indoors in the winter.
Indoor Plants That Repel Mosquitoes- 14. Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Okay, so we’ve covered some great perennial plants for the outdoors that repel mosquitoes. What about when the pests get indoors? There are indoor plants that work for repelling mosquitoes, too!
The citrus scent of this plant is super pleasant to have in the house, but it’s not quite so pleasant for mosquitoes! It’s a very easy plant to grow, and you can simply put it in a sunny window. It has a lovely fragrance that you and your household can appreciate, but that mosquitoes will not.
Make sure you remove any flower buds that appear on the plant, as the leaves will lose their scent and won’t be as effective at getting rid of mosquitoes. It can also get quite big, so it’s a good idea to harvest the leaves to use for things like lemon tea.
15. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
By Photo by David J. Stang – source: David Stang. First published at ZipcodeZoo.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61001920
The catnip plant is another member of the mint family that grows very quickly and is great at sending the mosquitoes packing. Make sure you put the plant in front of a window with lots of sun. Water it regularly and pinch the flowers out so you can get more leaves.
After a couple of seasons, you will probably need to repot them. Obviously, make sure the plant is safe away from any cats if you have any.
16. Citronella plants (Cymbopogon nardus)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
As far as mosquito repellents are concerned, citronella plants (also called mosquito plants) are the most commonly known. This is mainly because it’s a component in a lot of commercial mosquito repellents like candles or torches that people use outside, on their porches, or at picnics. The plant has a nice lemon smell and is very effective at getting rid of mosquitoes.
17. Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Mums are very versatile: they grow well outdoors but are also perfect in pots, decorating your porch, or indoors in your plant corner. Keep them inside through the summer while they are all leaves, and put them out on your front steps in the fall for the perfect seasonal decoration that repels the pesky blood suckers.
18. Shrub Verbena (Lantana camara)
Image Credit: Depositphotos.
While lantana is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, mosquitoes don’t like its smell and stay away. This stunning perennial, native to Central and South America, is an upright frost-tender shrub that grows 3-6′ tall (so bring it insider when it gets cooler or keep it inside).
I love that it comes in so many different colors, too! I’ve seen yellow, pink, orange, purple, red, and many combinations of these colors. Stunning!
Plants that Repel Mosquitoes: A Natural Win
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.
As you can see, there are many great plants that are easy to grow that help you repel mosquitoes. While these insects serve a function in the ecosystem, they can be dangerous to humans as they carry disease, and they are also very annoying. These are all good plants to help you repel them without causing any harm. These all make a good natural insect repellent, and they are easy to grow.
And all of these plants on the list have other great uses as well, so it’s a win-win all around when you choose them.
Donna Brock
Monday 22nd of May 2023
I use the citronella plant every summer. I set them by each door. And I have no problems with mosquitoes in my house. Try this plant you will like it . Also rub you fingers on the leaves and smell.
Beautiful Flower Garden Ideas
Saturday 25th of September 2021
[…] Perennial Plants That Repel Mosquitoes […]