The Best Mosquito-Repelling Plants
With the arrival of good weather, you can start taking evening walks, spending evenings outdoors, and opening windows… which means that dreaded mosquitoes can bite you. For this reason, we decided to tell you which are the best mosquito-repelling plants to have at home, as they can drive away these annoying insects.
These plants are beautiful, usually smell great, and will also protect you from these dangerous insects. Take note, as they’ll allow you to fully enjoy your home and avoid these dreaded insects!
Although some of the fragrances of these plants are delicious, their composition makes mosquitoes hate them. Therefore, they work as natural repellents to keep insects away.
You can decorate your home with some of them, use their essential oils in a diffuser, buy a candle with their aromas, or use them topically through one of the cosmetic formats they sell for this purpose. Either way, we guarantee that these are excellent mosquito repellents.
Mosquito-repelling plants for your garden or terrace
Lemon geranium
This is one of the species of this plant, which has a pleasant citrus smell. In addition, it gives beautiful pink and purple flowers that are very easy to care for. Thus, they’re ideal to decorate your terrace or garden.
You can put several pots on the windows or cut some twigs to decorate a vase and make it look perfect on your nightstand. It’ll keep insects out and give you new cuttings!
Citronella
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most popular mosquito-repelling plants. In fact, you can find many products made from it, such as candles, incense, bracelets, patches, etc.
If you want to have it in your garden, we recommend planting it in a large pot, as it’ll look amazing. However, you can also divide its bulb and plant it in small pots.
Lavender
This is one of the most beautiful and decorative of the mosquito-repelling plants. In addition, its characteristic purple color is perfect for any garden.
Its powerful aroma will fill your home with a feeling of freshness and serenity because, in addition to repelling many insects, lavender also has relaxing properties.
Catnip
This is a powerful mosquito repellent, according to a study conducted by the American Chemical Society in 2001. This plant grows in temperate areas in Europe and its name comes from the fact that cats eat it to improve their digestion or to empty their stomach of the hair they swallow.
This plant grows in small pots. Thus, you should consider placing it on your terrace. You’ll notice that mosquitoes will stay clear of your home!
Indoor mosquito-repelling plants
Basil
This is a great natural repellent that will ward off mosquitoes if you put some pots on the window. In fact, it can also serve as a decorative element. As if that weren’t enough, you can make a delicious pesto sauce with its leaves. What more could you ask for?
Mint
In addition to warding off mosquitoes in a natural way, the antiseptic properties of mint, extracted as an infusion, can help relieve mosquito bites and the bites of other insects.
Its pleasant smell will fill your nights. Also, you can use its leaves to make a digestive infusion or to cook. As you can see, it has many uses.
Common marigold
You’ve surely seen this beautiful orange flower on more than one occasion. Many skincare products contain it, especially those for children, thanks to the anti-inflammatory, soothing, and healing properties different studies attribute to it.
It repels mosquitoes and, on the other hand, its essential oil can help relieve any insect bite, Thus, it’s a must in your natural medicine cabinet!
Oregano
In the kitchen, you’ll find another way to repel mosquitoes. Oregano is a good antidote to keep them away from your home. In fact, some of its compounds are unbearable to various insects.
Garlic
The truth is that, if you can bear its smell, having garlic nearby will keep mosquitoes away. And if they bite you, natural medicine recommends smearing a garlic clove on the bite.
These are the most effective mosquito-repelling plants. In addition to decorating your home and your exteriors with them, they can allow you to enjoy evenings outdoors without having to worry about pesky mosquito bites.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- American Chemical Society. (2001). Catnip Repels Mosquitoes More Effectively Than DEET. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm
- Bioresource Technology. Volume 71, Issue 3, February 2000, Pages 267-271. Larvicidal and mosquito repellent action of peppermint (Mentha piperita) oil. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960852499000796
- Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012: 375671. Published online 2012 Jan 24. doi: 10.1155/2012/375671. Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil