Avoid Getting Eaten Alive This Summer With These 25+ Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Wendee Wendt

March 9, 2023 at 12:17 AM·14 min read

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I am of the age that the only thing I feel winter is good for is some relief from those pesky mosquitoes. As soon as temps warm, even for a day, those annoying little buggers pop out, starting their tyrant early. Thankfully, over the years, I have learned that not only can I keep the porch and rock beds looking beautiful, but I can fill them with plants that actually repel mosquitoes (and other bugs too). Many of the plants on our list are not only eye-catching enhancements to any space, but some can be used for food, oils, flavorings and teas.

Our list is extensive, with 28 plants to choose from, but make sure that you do your research. Always look for those that are best suited for your climate and location when choosing what to plant. Some do better in containers, some are perennials and others are so prolific, that you must keep them in check or have a very large space for them. They will spread like an invasive army of greenery! (I learned this difficult lesson with lemon balm.)

Now, you can’t just put one of these plants in a container on your porch and magically scare all of the mosquitoes away. With proper placement and enough of the right ones (or a combination of several), you can make a barrier that will keep you buzz-free—leaving you to take joy in those peaceful summer evenings, without having to use harmful bug sprays and pesticides.

So, get started on our list of plants that repel mosquitoes, and see which ones you would like to add to your exterior this year. Your new motto will be: "Keeping the skeeters away the natural way!"

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25+ Mosquito-Repelling Plants

<p>Kcris Ramos/Getty Images</p> — Kcris Ramos/Getty Images

1. Citronella

Maybe one of the most common words associated with repelling mosquitos is "citronella," but you may be surprised to find out that the plant itself doesn't repel mosquitos. We have this at the top of our list to make readers aware of the fact that it is indeed just the oil from the plant, and not the plant itself, that repels mosquitoes. There are so many citronella oil products on the market today, because it works really well. But if your goal is to lower the number of mosquitoes around your home, you may want to choose to plant something a bit more effective at warding them off. Citronella grass can easily be confused as lemongrass, but they are two different plants. Citronella has a reddish base with green leaves, while lemongrass will have a green base with green leaves. Citronella could still be a nice touch to your landscape, but won't solve the skeeter problem.

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2. Lemongrass

You will find a common theme to many of these repelling plants. They all come from similar families, and all have similar odors. Many are herbs, some minty or lemony smelling, all quite fragrant. Lemongrass is no exception. It is a grass that can grow quite bushy, and is an aesthetically pleasing addition to flowerbeds as well as areas where you are trying to reduce the mosquito population.

Lemongrass Rootstalk (Cymbopogon Citratus) 2 Live Plants

3. Marigold

I will be honest; I love to hate marigolds. They have to be "dead-headed" (trimming off the dead flowers; they usually do not fall off by themselves) which is just one more thing to take care of when it comes to my plants, and they make your hands smell. However, that smell is the reason they are fantastic at keeping many pesky bugs away, not just mosquitoes. They are also one of the longest-lasting blooms, (mine go into fall) and voted least likely to be killed by me, due to their hearty and drought-resistant nature.

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4. Peppermint

The more sun the better for this plant. Although it can do well in low light and is highly adaptable, sunshine actually increases the potency of this plant's oil. And peppermint oil is great for medicinal purposes like stomach ailments. It makes a fantastic tea if you dry the leaves and, of course, keeps a large list of bugs out of the areas it is planted in.

Bonnie Plants Peppermint Live Edible Aromatic Herb Plant - 4 Pack, Pet Friendly, Low Light, Part Shade

5. Lavender

Lavender has to be one of the gardener's favorite mosquito-fighting perennials. It is a beautiful purple color, smells amazing and is super easy to grow. Just keep it watered and in full sun, and this plant will be around to spruce up your garden for many years. A bonus to this plant is that deer do not like it. You don't have to worry about them taste-testing it and destroying your plants. However, with all its good characteristics, lavender is toxic to pets, so take caution before planting.

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6. Rosemary

A shrub-like herb plant, rosemary produces dainty white to light blue flowers in early spring, through summer. It grows well in containers when placed in direct sunlight, and its sweet aroma is sure to please everyone. (Well, everyone, except mosquitos that is!)

Bonnie Plants Rosemary Live Edible Aromatic Herb Plant - 4 Pack, Perennial In Zones 8 to 10, Great for Cooking & Grilling, Italian & Mediterranean Dishes, Vinegars & Oils, Breads

7. Basil

A minty, licorice aroma emits from this prominent herb, and is a fantastic addition to your garden or even in containers on porches. This plant will take off quickly from seeds and can be trimmed continuously (learn how first) all the way until the first frost of the season. Basil loves to be warmed in direct sunlight, and with suitable care, will prevent aggravating mosquitos from flocking into that area.

Bonnie Plants Sweet Basil Live Herb Plants - 4 Pack, Warm Season Annual, Italian & Asian Dishes

8. Eucalyptus

Commonly known for its unmistakable menthol odor, eucalyptus isn't just koala food. With silvery-green leaves, it is a well-liked outdoor ornamental plant. A dominant odor like menthol works as a mosquito preventative. Eucalyptus is actually a tree, with a prolific growing rate and definitely something you will want to do your research on ahead of time. Although quite unique, this steely beauty is toxic to both humans and animals.

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9. Monarda

This flowering puffball goes by a lot of different names: bee balm, bergamot, horsemint and Oswego tea. As part of the mint family, it is a perennial, coming back year after year for your enjoyment. Pollinators love them, mosquitos, not so much. They are also perfectly planted around borders, hedges or in containers.

Bee Balm 'Jacob Cline' Monarda Plants in Separate 4 inch containers- Daylily Nursery…one Plant per Pot, You Choose Amount! (2)

10. Allium

Closely related to onions, this beautiful round arrangement of star-shaped flowers typically gives off oniony vibes. They are fun, cheery plants (that look like balloons floating around) that are easy to care for, as they are both cold and drought-tolerant.

Allium Blend Purple - 30 Bulb Pack - 4 to 6 Inch Diameter Flower | Allium Bulb Grows to 28-32" Tall | Allium Bulbs, Easy to Grow

11. Garlic

A wonderful solution to your mosquito pest problem would be adding garlic to your garden. You can propagate, grow and harvest this pungent plant with just a little bit of fact-finding. The green part of the plant can get to be two feet tall, and with just one row tied into your other veggies, maybe you won't get eaten alive while weeding and watering.

12. Thyme

Aromatic with many culinary uses, ancient Egyptians would also use thyme in their embalming practices. Today's gardeners enjoy the tiny pink or white tubular flowers that appear in late spring and through summer. Bees love thyme, while mosquitos will likely keep their distance.

Organic Thyme Plant, (Thymus vulgaris) 2.5-inch Pot

13. Feverfew

If you know what a daisy looks like, then feverfew is a similar, smaller version. Feverfew produce small, white-petaled and yellow-centered flowers. They are part of the chrysanthemum family of plants, and like other lemon-scented flowers, mosquitos tend to shy away from them. This herb will take hold, and take over, if not adequately cared for.

Feverfew Tanacetum Parthenium Herb Flower jocad (300 Seeds)

14. Sage

Somewhat shrub-like, sage is the easiest of the herbs to grow. It will offer purple flowers during the summertime and is easily dried for culinary delights. An interesting fact is that mosquitoes don't care for the peppery odor from sage plants, and neither do cucumbers! Keep sage away from your cucumber plants—it surprisingly changes the taste of them.

Bonnie Plants Garden Sage Live Herb Plants - 4 Pack, Easy To Grow, Non-GMO, Perennial In Zones 5 to 8, Key Ingredient Of Poultry Seasoning & Turkey Stuffing

15. Geraniums

Geraniums are classy flowers, coming in a multitude of color variations. Sweet smelling to boot, these plants last well into late summer and can even be brought in as houseplants, as long as you do so before temps dip too low at night. This continuously blossoming plant does well in containers and hanging baskets.

20+ Mixed Geranium Flower Seeds Plant Perennial Bloom Flower Garden Home

16. Lemon Balm

A vivaciously growing plant in the mint family, lemon balm can be amazing to grow, if kept in check. Besides a mosquito deterrent, lemon balm can be used for flavoring, tea (oh, so yummy!) and as a helpful aid in attracting bees.

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17. Catnip

Considering catnip is in the mint family, you would probably expect it to smell pleasant, but that's not the case. It has been described to be on the "skunky" side, which is why it may appeal to cats but not mosquitoes. Although weedy looking, catnip steps up its game early on in spring and flashes small white, pink or lavender blooms all the way through fall.

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18. Mums

Properly called chrysanthemums, they come in a number of dynamic colors, and always seem to be a fall favorite. But did you know you can plant those mums you put on your porch every year in the ground and appreciate them even more the next year? Not overly fragrant, mums do have enough of a slight sweetness that will keep mosquitoes at a distance, making purchasing one (or 10) a no-brainer.

<p>Valter Jacinto/Getty Images</p> — Valter Jacinto/Getty Images

19. Pennyroyal

Considering this plant smells an awful lot like spearmint, it is no wonder that it can be an asset when fighting off mosquitoes. A fast-spreading plant, it is actually considered to be invasive in California. So, be quite certain that you want to add pennyroyal to your space first, before planting.

20. Lantana Camara

Drought and heat-resistant, easy to grow and with many color choices to choose from, what's not like about the lantana camara? Oh, yeah, they offer a considerable natural mosquito barrier too! Very much a ground cover, butterflies and bees will flock to these mounds of color this summer.

200Pcs Lantana Camara Flower Seeds,Rare Perennial Herb Gorgeous Bonsai Tree Plant

21. Ageratum

Nicknamed floss flower or mistflower, ageratum is an annual that can add a splash of color to your grounds from May through October. Their flower is aster-like and comes in light blue, pink and white. Not only can ageratum help keep mosquitoes away, but deer and rabbits tend to avoid them as well.

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22. Oregano

Oregano isn't just a plant that you put in your herb garden to trim for eating or drying for later use. It makes fantastic ground cover or edging and is tenacious enough to put into pots, window boxes or containers as fillers.

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23. Tansy

This is a perennial that has fern-shaped leaves and yellow, cute-as-a-button flowers. Taking care of dead-head flowers before they go to seed will help in preventing this plant from getting out of hand in your flower beds. Although you may have seen the tansy growing in clumps throughout fields, it is not a wildflower, it just spreads like one. Even though they are like the rest of the plants on the list in repelling bugs, do your homework on this one before planting. It can be evasive and not for newbie gardeners.

24. Lemon Verbena

This strong lemon-smelling plant will be adorned with little sprigs of tiny purple or white flowers starting in late spring. When trimmed correctly, lemon verbena will take on a bushy look, and continue to replenish itself during growing season.

25. Calendula

An herbaceous perennial, part of the daisy family, makes the calendula an appreciable choice for planting on your property. Sometimes called a pot marigold, they are not to be confused with the common marigolds we have already talked about on this list. Although the color variations are similar, the flower heads are definitely different, having more petals and looking like daisies.

26. Wormwood

Popularly cultivated for their essential oils and bitter nature that works well with some mixed drinks, wormwood's sharp smell is really what helps stop mosquitos in their tracks. Often referred to as absinthe or mug wort, this flowering plant can grow up to three feet tall, sprouting flower spikes covered in ashen yellow flowers during the early summer months.

<p>Alfred Schrock/Unsplash</p> — Alfred Schrock/Unsplash

27. Pitcher Plants - Carnivores

Carnivorous plants probably weren't something you would have thought of when trying to deter your mosquito population, but what a grand idea! Looking almost tropical, pitcher plants are native to the US, originally residing in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. Outside of that climate type, they can make good houseplants too, catching mosquitoes that get through your door. They use their fleshy funnel as a trap for insects, and even small animals.

28. Cedar Trees

Cedars can grow to be enormous trees and can repel bugs. Often lining closets and trunks for moth prevention, these trees make attractive inclusion in landscaping designs and when decorating gardens. They do produce the cutest little pinecones, but they don't shed like other conifers. Cedar's longevity makes them one of the longest-lasting pest controls out there.

40 Western Red Cedar Tree Seeds for Planting - Thuja plicata - Long Lived Evergreen

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