15 Flowers that Repel Mosquitoes (Proven by Science)

If you hate the blood-sucking insects in your garden and home, then growing these flowers that repel mosquitoes will be a bright idea!

Flowers that Repel Mosquitoes

1. Bee Balm

Botanical Name: Monarda didyma L

Mash the leaves of the plant, and it will emit a strong incense-like fragrance due to the presence of thymol. The compound has natural insect-repellent properties that keep mosquitoes away!

You can grow it in your garden around the entrance or somewhere you sit often to reap the benefits.

2. Marigold

Botanical Name: Tagetes

These flowers contain pyrethrum, a compound that affects the nervous system of mosquitoes. The strong scent of marigolds is also offensive to them!

According to this research, this plant offers a strong 32.4% protection against African Malaria mosquitoes!

Pro Tip: Grow them in groups for the best effect.

3. Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender emits a strong fragrance that is disliked by mosquitoes. The essential oils, particularly linalool and camphor, effectively repel these insects.

A 2009 study showed that lavender oil was 93% effective against mosquitoes indoors, so apart from using its essential oil, you can press and rub its flowers on your exposed body parts as well while taking a stroll in the garden.

Check out Best Mosquito Repellent Herbs here

4. Tansy

Botanical Name: Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae)

Tansy contains thujone, a compound that mosquitoes hate! Its strong scent also confuses their nervous systems, forcing them to stay away from where this plant is.

5. Chrysanthemum

Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrum, which also affects the nervous system of mosquitoes. For best effect, make sure you have potted them in groups near the window or a patio door, from where the mosquitoes might enter the house.

Also, squash the flowers and apply when you spot these pesky insects around to double the effect.

6. Lantana

Botanical Name: Lantana camara

Lantana produces a pungent odor, which mosquitoes find unattractive. Keep on crushing its leaves and flowers to ensure you are never bothered by that buzzing noise near your ears.

According to the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, Lantana camara flowers work the best against Aedes mosquitoes and can provide 94.5% protection from Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes.

Another study done in Tanzania states that these flowering plants were somewhat effective against the entry of mosquitoes when grown around the walls of rural houses.

Check out the Scientifically Proven Fact that Mosquito Hate Lantana Camara

7. Rosemary

Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary’s strong scent, thanks to the compounds like cineole and camphor in it, is effective in repelling mosquitoes. Burning rosemary sprigs can amplify its repellent effect, you can also use rosemary oil.

8. Floss Flower

Botanical Name: Ageratum

Floss flowers have coumarin, which is quite potent in keeping bugs like mosquitoes away. To disperse it effectively in the air – crushing the flowers and leaves is the best option to ensure potency.

9. Society Garlic

Botanical Name: Tulbaghia violacea

Mosquitoes find this plant intensely repulsive – primarily due to its strong, sulfur-like scent! Grow them in a group of 3-4 where these insects are quite common in your garden.

10. Catnip

Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria

Catnip’s compound, nepetalactone, is more effective than DEET, a common ingredient in insect repellents, so you can imagine how potent it can be if used cleverly!

One report by Nature’s Scientific Reports states that its essential oil is potent in keeping Aedes aegypti mosquitoes away, even with concentrations as low as 2%!

An article by ScienceDaily, while citing a study by the American Chemical Society, says that its essential oil is more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.

Another research on PubMed indicates that nepetalactone in catnip can also keep flies and other insects away.

25 Best Mosquito Repelling Plants

11. Basil Flowers

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum or tenuiflorum

The essential oils in basil, particularly estragole and linalool, make up for the strong smell these insects hate, especially when the leaves are crushed. Just like the rosemary, you can burn it too or infuse the basil flowers or leaves in coconut oil for some days or weeks and apply it on your skin.

12. Peppermint Flowers

Botanical Name: Mentha × Piperita

Peppermint leaves and flowers contains menthol, which has a strong scent that repels mosquitoes. You can also apply peppermint oil to the skin for more protection.

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13. Geranium

Botanical Name: Geranium

Geraniums, especially the lemon-scented varieties, have citronellol, which mosquitoes find repulsive – all you have to do is squash some leaves and flowers for the best scent spread, and watch the insects shoo away!

14. Allium

Botanical Name: Allium

Plants in the Allium family, such as chives, garlic, and leeks, produce a strong scent offensive to mosquitoes, thanks to the sulfur compounds.

15. Petunia

Botanical Name: Petunia x hybrida

While not as potent as some other plants on this list, the mild scent of petunias can keep mosquitoes at bay—just make sure you grow them in groups for best results.

Look here at Homemade Mosquito Repellent Ideas

Best Ways to Use These Flowering Plants to Repel Mosquitoes

1. To ensure these plants work the best to repel mosquitoes, it is essential to keep crushing their leaves and flowers and rub them on your exposed body parts.

2. You can also infuse them in a carrier oil for some days or weeks and apply the infused oil for protection.

3. Mass planting of flowers around the seating area or strategic spots around your garden or home is also a clever idea.

4. Another option is to pick the leaves and flowers, mash them, and then apply the paste to unclothed skin. However, do a patch test first to avoid allergic reactions.