Proven Plants that Repel Mosquitos but Smell Good on You

9 Proven Plants that Repel Mosquitos but Smell Good on You

Do you relish that special, warm weather after a cold winter and rainy spring? Well, every gardener does. It offers an awesome way to connect with nature.

However, this treat harbors some drawback; the return of uninvited intruders, particularly mosquitoes.

These bugs are a real pain not only with their bites but also with horrible noises that offend your ears, especially when they come out in droves.

To keep these bugs at bay, most people go to extreme lengths, like using lethal chemical sprays that hurt our wildlife and environment, too.

But you don’t need to follow the same path. You can avoid that temptation by using a natural, eco-friendly method by planting a few of several plants that repel mosquitoes.

All the plants and herbs I’ve included here contain specific essential oils that repel mosquitoes. You can pick a few leaves off these plants and hang them around where you’re connecting with nature in your yard.

And if you don’t have allergies you can crush the leaves, and apply them to your legs and arms. And the bonus? The scent is attractive to humans, so they will have you smelling good!

Read on to learn about these mosquito repellant plants and a few tips on how you can grow them in your garden.

1. Lavender

Insects, bugs, and even some animals such as rabbits keep off lavender for a reason.

According to research, the leaves of this plant pack essential oils that produce a repulsive scent that mosquitos and other insects can’t stand up to. The smell can be so strong that it can hinder mosquitoes’ ability to smell!

But lavender’s smell is, however, a heavenly aroma to us humans. Crush the leaves and rub them on your skin, or hang a few around your surroundings to prevent mosquitoes from disturbing your peace.

Plus, growing lavender beautifies your garden as they attract helpful pollinators, and the result is purple flowers in your yard.

How to grow lavender

Lavender is a tough perennial plant that only needs good drainage and full sun. It survives well in warmer regions, blooming from summer to fall. Once established, lavender is one of the good drought-resistant plants you can grow in your garden.

2. Marigold

Marigolds are not just pretty-looking and colorful flowers. These garden flower plants are great mosquito repellants, thanks to pyrethrum, an insecticidal ingredient you find in most insect repellants. They bloom all summer, so you can say goodbye to mosquitos and enjoy your warm weather.

Their heady flowers will also do more than repel mosquitos. They are good at dissuading other pests such as squash bugs, thrips, aphids, and tomato hornworms that damage vegetables and fruits in your garden.

How to grow marigolds

As annual flowers, marigolds are easy to grow. They don’t take up much space, so the size of your garden is not a hindrance. Marigolds are also low-maintenance, and you can grow them in pots.

3. Citronella grass

Alongside Marigold, citronella is one the most popularly used natural ingredients in mosquito repellents and patio candles.

Citronella grass expels fragrant oils with an overwhelming aroma that mosquitos cannot withstand. And since mosquito repellants and other products made with Citronella oil last about only 2 hours, according to research, far better to plant this grass in your yard for the best insurance against the repulsive bugs.

How to grow citronella grass

If you have a small garden or lawn, Citronella grass won’t suit you. It grows big, as much as 6 feet wide and tall, you best grow it in gardens and planters. And also, make sure you space it accordingly.

The grass cannot withstand frost, so ensure enough sunlight in warmer areas. You can also grow it directly under the sun — but provide a tree overhead. They require little maintenance, with frequent watering.

4. Rosemary

The leaves of this bush-like herb are pleasant-tasting hence why every chef knows them and are popular with gardeners and home growers, too.

But they are also excellent effective mosquito repellants, as both PlantShed and New York Botanical Garden recommend via Gardendesign. Their woody scent also keeps moths and flies away.

Besides growing Rosemary as mosquito repellants and for their appealing aroma, you can prune them as you wish to create various sizes and shapes and decorate your garden.

How to grow rosemary

Rosemary is a perennial herb that does well in hot and dry areas. It thrives both directly in gardens, containers, and landscaping.

5. Basil

The beautiful herb is another plant worth saving a spot for in your gardens and lawns.

Basil leaves expel a heavy fragrance, such that no need to crush them, that repels these little buzzing beasts and other bugs.

What’s more, basil leaves pack toxic essential oils that can kill mosquito larvae before hatching. Hence, growing basil is a natural way to eradicate populations of mosquitoes in your yard.

But for us humans, basil leaves produce an aroma you can’t get enough of. And as if that’s not enough, you can use the same leaves to make pesto, a delicious sauce for your pasta.

And like lavender, basil plants help attract pollinators, meaning your garden and lawns are bound to thrive with these plants.

How to grow basil

Grow basil in a good drainage area and in places where it can enjoy lots of sun.

You can plant it solely in the garden, while you can also grow basil in containers.

6. Mint

Mint is another perennial herb you can use at home to naturally control different pests, such as mites, not only mosquitos. The scent of mint is strong enough to deter mosquitos, so you can pick and drop the leaves — even dry ones — in your chilling spot.

The essential oils in mint have biocidal properties, while they also contain menthol, active ingredients that fight and repel mosquitos. And, at the moment a bug succeeds, you can crush the leaves and rub them on the affected spot to soothe yourself.

What’s more, thanks to their fragrance, you can use mint leaves to add flavor to your citrusy spa water or prepare a tasty, delicious Fresh Mint Chutney.

How to grow mint

You can grow mint directly in your garden and lawns if you have enough space. For gardeners looking to save space, mint also thrives in pots so it won’t spread.

7. Sage

If you like bonfires or lighting fires in your gathering spot and want to keep your space mosquito-free, trust sage to do the magic.

But unlike other plants on this list, sage works differently. Instead of hanging sage leaves around, you toss them directly into the fire. It produces a scented, earthy smell that is enough to ward off the repulsive bugs. While this scent repels mosquitos, it creates a pleasant environment thanks to the refreshing aroma.

How to grow sage

Grow sage in well-drained soils and where it can get full sun.

8. Catnip

Catnip probably derives its name from the cat (the animal) because it is like heaven for these fun-loving pets. But while cats love playing with catnip — rubbing and rolling around in it — this herb is hell for mosquitos and other pests such as termites and cockroaches.

It produces nepetalactone, an essential oil that annoys these bugs to flee. It is effective when you crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or the surrounding areas. And since catnip belongs to the mint family, you will like its minty, sweet scent while enjoying your warm evenings.

How to grow catnip

Catnip is another easy-to-grow plant. Grow it in well-drained soils and areas where it can receive full sun. While catnip is easy to care for, it is invasive if you plant it in a garden bed. So better off growing the plant in pots for easy control.

9. Lemon balm

Lemon balm is another member of the mint family, but a very multipurpose one. It helps alleviate stomach upsets and help reduce stress, and its strong scent is effective in fighting off the marauding pesky mosquitos.

The scent from leaves is aromatic and makes foods taste great. That’s why professional chefs use the herb for delicious dishes, including Spinach Lemon balm Soup and Chicken Soup with Sprouts and Lemon Balm.

How to grow lemon balm

You grow lemon balm the same way you grow catnip, as they both have similar requirements. And like its counterpart, lemon balm is a fast-growing and invasive herb that can easily take over your garden bed, so you better grow it in containers.

Blend mosquito repellant plants with a more natural method

Growing plants that repel mosquitos is one of the best — if not the best — ways to keep the pesky bugs away.

But you can also spice things up by blending these plants with another natural method to enjoy the serene environment of a lush garden in peace.

The most widely used method is draining any stagnant water nearby so mosquitos won’t find a breeding ground.

But what about the water in fish ponds, plant trays, birdbaths, and bird feeders? Well, you can change and clean the water weekly, but probably the most effective natural method is to deploy mosquito dunks.

Place these rings in the stagnant water, and the bacteria in the dunks will naturally eradicate the mosquitos altogether.

The takeaway

Depending on the size of your garden and also preferences, you can choose to plant a few or all of these plants and herbs in your garden.

It’s a fun, challenging endeavor that is worth your investment.