Plants don’t want pests, like mosquitoes, bugging them anymore than you do. Lucky for them, they have a built-in defense mechanism. Some plants have fragrances that naturally repel mosquitoes and other pests. We’ve made a list of plants that can help keep mosquitoes from hanging around you.
Mint
Mint is known for its refreshing scent and taste, but it also bugs mosquitoes. It has toothed leaves and small purple, white, or pink flowers can bloom in the summer. It’s best to plant mint in the spring in soil with good drainage. Mint does well in partial or full sun depending on the species. This herb spreads quickly, so you may want to plant it in a container.
Lavender
Lavender’s purple shade can be a great addition to your garden. It needs plenty of sunlight and won’t do well with too much moisture. Make sure soil drains well and there’s good air circulation. Lavender is a fairly tough plant and it can attract pollinators like butterflies. This plant will bloom in the summer.
Rosemary
Rosemary does best in a warm environment with fair humidity. It needs full sun and blue or purple flowers will bloom in the summer. Planting rosemary from the cuttings of an established plant in the spring can help you achieve good results. Rosemary should be pruned regularly, especially since it can spread up to several feet.
Thyme
You’re probably familiar with the culinary variety of thyme, but there are also ornamental species. This herb can be planted in the ground or in containers near sunny windows. Plant thyme in the spring in well-draining soil. Make sure to water the plant when the soil feels dry. Thyme pairs well with rosemary since they have similar growing needs.
Basil
Basil blooms in the summer when planted in the spring. It needs 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. This plant does well when placed in containers or raised beds. This will allow the soil to remain moist, but still have adequate drainage. Basil does best when planted in warm soil and kept in a warm environment. It’s great in your dishes and can help keep mosquitoes away.
Sage
Like thyme, there are culinary and ornamental species of sage. You can plant sage in the spring or fall and prepare for blooming in summer. Sage needs full sun to thrive and it should be watered regularly, especially when the top inch of soil is dry. Just make sure the soil drains well to prevent excess moisture. Sage is known to attract pollinators, which can help your garden grow.
Citronella
Citronella is known for its citrus scent that mosquitoes can’t stand. Citronella can be found as a grass or as a geranium. The grass varieties have lacy leaves and a red pseudostem. Citronella geranium will produce pink flowers during the summer. These plants should be placed in well-draining, warm soil. When the top layer of soil becomes dry, you know it’s time to water it.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is closely related to citronella, but it lacks any red coloring. It has a citrus scent and flavor. Lemongrass should be planted in the spring. Place in areas where it will receive full sunlight and it will be kept warm. Even though it does best in well-draining soil, it does prefer to receive consistent moisture.
Marigolds
These colorful flowers will help prevent mosquitoes while still attracting pollinators. Marigolds come in a variety of shades including orange, yellow, white, and red. They need partial or full sun and will bloom in spring, summer, and fall. There are different species of marigolds and each has its own needs. Some are drought tolerant and others can handle dampness. Before planting, make sure you know the specific needs of your marigolds.
Lantana
These flowers can add a pop of color to your garden. Their small, rounded flowers can be white, red, yellow, purple, blue, or orange. It’s normal for different colored flowers to cluster together. They need 6 hours or more of sunlight and they should be placed in well-draining soil. However, you need to make sure these plants don’t dry out.
Plant fragrances can help keep mosquitoes away and so can their natural essential oils. That’s why we love using plant oils in our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products. They are a more environmentally and family-friendly solution to pest problems.