16 Plants That Repel Bugs and Mosquitoes Naturally

Adding a little rosemary to your patio tells mosquitoes, "You're not invited!" Learn about more plants our experts use to deter outdoor pests.

Fact checked by Haley Mades

When you spend long summer evenings on the patio or in the backyard, keeping bugs and mosquitoes at bay is a top priority. Fortunately, there are many great outdoor mosquito repellent options available on the market.

However, for pest control that also makes your outdoor space look better, consider adding a few plants that repel bugs. Whether it's pots of fragrant lavender around the perimeter of your patio or citronella grass in your garden, these multi-tasking plants are pretty and serve a purpose. We spoke with several garden experts to give us some tips on what plants to use to keep gardens pest-free.

Meet the Experts

• Carmen Johnston is a garden lifestyle expert and the founder and owner of Carmen Johnston Gardens

• Peyton Lambton is a lifestyle expert and star of HGTV show My New Old House

• Chris Lambton is a professional landscaper, star of My New Old House, and Peyton's husband

Citronella Grass

The citronella candles on your patio are made with the oil that comes from this plant. "Citronella is by far the most popular plant that repels mosquitoes," says garden expert Carmen Johnston. "It has a very pungent odor."

"I often place this in small eight-inch terra cotta pots and mix in with my centerpieces when entertaining outdoors," she adds. "You can either use the clippings mixed in with arrangements or use the plant itself as the centerpiece."

• Needs at least six hours of sunlight per day

• Does best in an environment above 60 degrees

• Requires infrequent but thorough watering

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 9 through 11
  

Petunias

Petunias—sometimes called "nature's pesticide"—can repel aphids, tomato hornworms, asparagus beetles, leafhoppers, and squash bugs. "Petunias are very easy to grow, and you can plant them in the ground or keep them potted," says lifestyle expert Peyton Lambton. "They like sun, and I recommend buying transplants and placing them in light, well-drained soil in full sun after the last spring frost."

• Plant where petunias can get at least five to six hours of sunlight per day

• Do best in an area where they are in the sun all-day

• Drought and heat tolerant. Water thoroughly once per week

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 10 through 11
  

Lavender

"Lavender has a fragrant smell that deters mosquitoes," Johnston says. "I have this planted in clusters at the entryway of my garden, and I love those purple blooms.

"It likes to be hot and dry, so it's perfect for summer," she adds. You can also apply lavender oil to your skin as a natural repellent.

• Does well in hot and dry weather

• Needs full sun and well-drained soil to thrive

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 5 through 9

Nasturtium

Nasturtium is a colorful, edible flower that repels whiteflies, squash bugs, aphids, several beetles, and cabbage loopers. As if that's not enough, it helps other plants in your garden, too.

"They produce an airborne chemical that repels insects, protecting not only themselves but other plants in the grouping," says landscaper Chris Lambton.

"Plant these in early spring in moist, well-drained soil in full sun," he advises. "They should be regularly watered and deadheaded to promote blooming."

• Does well in full sun and well-drained soil

• Will grow, but not bloom, in partial shade

• Needs watering and deadheading regularly to promote blooming

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 2 through 11

Rosemary

You probably know rosemary best as an herb that adds flavor to your dishes, but it also helps keep bugs away. "This one is another plant perfect for summer heat because it likes to be dry," Johnston says. "It is one of my absolute favorite smells, but mosquitoes can't stand it."

"You can plant it in containers, but it also works well as a hedge," she suggests. Since a rosemary plant adds texture to arrangements, she says, why not place it in an outdoor centerpiece to repel bugs and provide some eye candy at the same time?

• Does best in warm, well-drained environments

• Keep in an area with full sunlight

• Overly wet soil can cause roots to die

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 7 through 10
  

Basil

Nothing beats basil as a go-to for making pesto and a host of other Mediterranean-style dishes, and now add "bug repellant" to its resume. "It's an annual herb and repels houseflies and mosquitoes," says Chris Lambton.

"Ensure that the plant gets six to eight hours of full sun daily, and its soil should be moist and well-drained," he continues. "When you see blossoms start to form, pinch them off at the base to ensure the best-tasting leaves."

This versatile herb can also treat mosquito bites, Johnston adds. She recommends rolling several leaves between your hands to release their natural oil and then applying them to your bite to ease swelling.

• Needs six to eight hours of full sun daily, so plant in an area that gets full sun

• Soil needs to be moist but well-drained

• Hardiness Zone: Zone 10

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is closely related to citronella and repels mosquitoes, but unlike citronella, it's edible and is commonly used in Southeast Asian cooking. "It can grow three to five feet tall and adds lots of extra height and texture to the garden," Johnston says, "so it needs a larger container."

• Grow in a spot with full sun

• Soil needs to be well-drained

• Needs room to grow, so leave 24 to 36 inches between plants

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 8 through 11

Mint

Mint leaves serve as a refreshing addition to dishes and cocktails, but the plant they come from offers another bonus. "It's a perennial that repels mosquitoes," says Peyton Lambton.

"Mint is easy to grow, but once established in a garden, it can be tricky to remove," she warns. "Plant it in a pot instead and frequently pick its leaves to keep the plant at its best. You can grow the plant indoors all winter long—and it will help keep flies outside, too."

• Hard to get rid of once established in a garden

• Grows best in full to partial shade

• Requires moist soil, but not too wet, or roots will rot

• Hardiness Zone: Zone 4

Catnip

Catnip is a member of the mint family but bears a separate mention. It's non-toxic to pets, although it's known to make some cats crazy and others mellow. More importantly, it makes mosquitoes and other flying insects go away.

Essential oil from catnip is an active ingredient in many all-natural insect repellents, but you don't need to extract its oil to make it work for you. You can simply crush the fresh leaves and stems onto your skin and clothing.

• Grows best in full sunlight

• Needs good, well-drained soil

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 3 through 5

Mosquito Shoo Geranium

This descriptively named plant was biogenetically engineered as a hybrid of scented geranium and citronella grass. The result is a plant with cute but unspectacular flowers and leaves that, when crushed, release a fragrance similar to lemon furniture polish.

It's also known as the citronella plant, mosquito plant geranium, or citrosa geranium, which inaccurately implies that it contains mosquito-repelling citronella. It actually produces a scent that smells like citronella but is not the real thing. Perhaps that's why, despite its name, its effectiveness in keeping mosquitos away is debatable.

• Can be grown in full sun to partial shade

• Requires average water and fertilization

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 10 through 11
  

Marigolds

The bad news is that these ubiquitous annuals have a fragrance that many of us find unpleasant. The good news is that mosquitos, wasps, and hornets also find their smell objectionable.

Gardeners would do well to find some real estate around their vegetable beds for marigolds. Their vibrant autumnal colors attract butterflies and bees while their scent drives away pests that would otherwise enjoy a good meal of fresh vegetables.

• Grow best in full sun to partial shade

• Thrives in soil with good drainage, and can tolerate drier soil conditions

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 2 through 11

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has an overpowering minty, citrusy smell that mosquitos find quite offensive, making this tree somewhat effective as a mosquito repellent and more so at repelling termites, fleas, and bugs. Nevertheless, planting a eucalyptus tree near an entrance may help keep mosquitos from entering your house.

If you crush the leaves and place them inside the house as in a potpourri, they'll release their oil, keep mosquitos from wanting to hang around, and smell fantastic. Another idea is to shred eucalyptus tree trimmings, turn them into mulch, and spread it in the yard anywhere mosquitos are a problem.

• Grows best in full sun

• Somewhat drought-tolerant, generally only needs watering weekly

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 7 through 10
  

Lantana

Many varieties of lantana offer a kaleidoscope of colors on each bloom. This aromatic bedding plant is highly prized for attracting hummingbirds and bees, but it also deters mosquitos better than most plants.

When they're rubbed or crushed, lantana leaves and flowers emit a strong citronella-like scent. You can also dry out lantana leaves, crush them, and then toss them in your fire pit to deter mosquitos. Avoid rubbing crushed lantana leaves on your skin though, because its oil can be irritating.

• Needs six or more hours of sunlight per day

• Requires thorough watering once per week

• Allowing the soil to fully dry out is harmful to plant

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 9 through 11 (perennial); Zones 1 through 8 (summer annual)
  

Bee Balm

Bee balm is a versatile perennial garden favorite that blooms in a firework of color all summer long. It's prized for attracting bees and is also a popular herb widely used in traditional herbal medicine and less frequently as a culinary herb.

This hard-working plant's side hustle is insect repellant. When bee balm’s leaves are crushed and applied to the skin, they release a scent that helps repel mosquitoes. You can also place crushed leaves around your home or in areas where you spend time, inside or out.

• Thrives in full sunlight

• Does best in constantly damp soil - should be watered at least weekly

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 4 through 9

Ageratum

Ageratum, also known as floss flower, are brilliant little gems useful in any garden. Their insect-repelling power comes from coumarin—a chemical often used in insecticides—that mosquitoes can’t stand the smell of. Butterflies and bees don’t mind the fragrance, and hummingbirds absolutely love it.

Warning: These plants are toxic to cats and dogs, so opt for a different one if you have pets. Also, you can increase their effectiveness by crushing their leaves to release their bug-repelling odor, but unlike many plants on this list, rubbing the leaves directly on your skin is discouraged.

• Grows best in partial to full sunlight

• Needs approximately one inch of water weekly

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 2 through 11

Venus Fly Trap

There aren't many of them, but the ultimate in natural pest control is a carnivorous plant. The most popular among them, the Venus fly trap, captures insects and spiders in its claw-like, clamshell-shaped leaves, snaps them shut, and then "eats" its prey by releasing digestive enzymes.

While these plants are fascinating and entertaining, they require rather specific conditions. A Venus fly trap needs full sun if planted outside. If kept inside, it craves more light than any sunny window sill can provide, so artificial light is in order.

The Venus fly trap also likes wet feet, meaning if in a pot, its roots must always be sitting in water. And it must be distilled or clean rainwater, because it can't handle hard water that comes from most of our taps.

And one more thing: Venus fly traps must eat regularly, and not like most plants that are good with a dose of fertilizer. If a Venus fly trap isn't catching its own food (like if it's indoors for the winter), it has to be hand-fed with live insects, dried blood worms, or high-protein fish food. Still want one?

• Needs to be planted in full sunlight

• Requires distilled or clean rainwater (tap water is too harsh)

• Must be fed insects, blood worms, or fish food if unable to catch food on its own

• Hardiness Zone: Zones 6 through 10
  

Frequently Asked Questions

What plant is the most effective at keeping all bugs away?

While many plants can serve multiple purposes in your garden, lavender is the most effective at keeping the most insects away. Though many people love the scent of lavender, insects tend to dislike it. Lavender repels mosquitoes, moths, fleas, flies, and others.

Why do mosquitoes prefer some people more than others?

Mosquitoes are attracted to people for a variety of reasons, including blood type, smell, type of clothing, the way someone breathes, and bacteria living on the skin. People who have high metabolic rates emit more carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes. For example, if you're working out, you're more likely to attract these bugs because your metabolic rate is raised during that time.

How can you prevent mosquitoes from flocking to your yard?

To prevent a mosquito infestation, ensure that you don't have any standing water around. Mosquito traps can also be useful, especially the sticky type. Other options include installing a fire pit, using bug spray, and decluttering. When all else fails, it's best to call in a professional.

Related: 9 Easy-to-Grow, Flowering Plants to Elevate Your Home's Curb Appeal

For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Real Simple.