25 Best Mosquito Repelling Plants

Ralph Astley is a retired gardener from Philadelphia who specializes in outdoor plants and trees. With years of hands-on experience, Ralph not only cares for a diverse range of outdoor flora but also shares his extensive knowledge through well-written articles and social media posts. A trusted authority in arboriculture, he's committed to helping the community grow healthier, more robust gardens.
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Looking for the Best Mosquito Repelling Plants? Transform your home into a mosquito-free paradise with these top Plants That Repel Mosquitoes.

Are you tired of those pesky mosquitoes ruining your outdoor gatherings and peaceful evenings? Imagine a garden or patio filled with lush, vibrant plants that not only enhance your outdoor space but also act as natural Mosquito Repelling Plants. In this article, we unveil the secret to creating a mosquito-free oasis right in your backyard with the Best plants for mosquito repellent. Say goodbye to itchy bites and hello to a summer filled with uninterrupted relaxation – keep scrolling to unlock the power of Plants that repel mosquitoes!

Herbs That Keep Mosquitoes Away | Best Mosquito Repellent Herbs


Best Mosquito Repelling Plants

1. Lemongrass

Botanical name: Cymbopogon

Don’t know What plants are mosquito repellent? Both varieties of Lemongrass–Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus are used as Natural mosquito repellent plants and also help in the formulation of anti-mosquito repellents. The compounds present in these Lemongrass plant mosquito repellent, like geraniol and citronellol, repel the mosquitoes.

Tip To Use: Squeeze the oil by crushing the leaves and applying it to your skin to repel the mosquitoes.

2. Horsemint

Botanical name: Monarda punctata

Looking for Plants to repel mosquito? Horsemint belongs to the Lamiaceae family and also to Plants that repel mosquitoes. It is easy to grow and has properties similar to the Citronella mosquito repellent plants. Further, it has an intense smell that confuses mosquitoes.

Tip To Use: You can apply the crushed residue of its leaves on your skin to keep the mosquitoes away.

3. Pot Marigold

Botanical name: Calendula officinalis

Calendula emits a musky scent, which makes mosquitoes deter away from the surroundings. According to a study, its essential oil can give you 2.15 hours of protection from these insects, making it one of the Best mosquito repelling plants.

Tip To Use: Place a potted marigold at the entrance point of your home, and you’ll have a Mosquito plants repellent.

4. Floss Flower

Botanical name: Ageratum houstonianum

Belonging to the ageratum genus, the flower of this Plant that repels mosquitoes consists of mosquito-repellent compounds known as coumarin, used in making pesticides as well. Furthermore, apart from repelling mosquitoes, this fluffy Mosquito repellant plant also looks great as groundcovers.

Tip To Use: Plant these flowers in hedges or grow them in containers on your balcony or patio to keep the mosquitoes away naturally.

Learn how to use olive oil and Aloe Vera for mosquito bites here

5. Catnip

Botanical name: Nepeta cataria

Searching for Plants that repel mosquitoes and flies? Catnip cannot be ignored when talking about Mosquito repelling plants; it contains a nepetalactone chemical compound, which drives cockroaches away from it as well. The odor of catnip is 10 times more effective for repelling mosquitoes than DEET.

Tip To Use: Fill a jar with olive oil and chopped catnip leaves and shake well. Keep it in the dark and cool place for around 6 weeks, and then use it as a mosquito repellant spray.

6. Rosemary

Botanical name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Your search for What plant repels mosquitoes is over! Fragrant rosemary leaves and flowers are good if you’re looking for Plants to repel mosquitoes. This herb not only finds usage in cuisines but also in getting rid of pesky insects, thanks to its intense scent.

Tip To Use: Burn dried rosemary in your yard, and the smoke will make your home free from mosquitoes.

7. Lemon Verbena

Botanical name: Aloysia citrodora

Still on the search for Plants that repel mosquitos? Pointed leaves of lemon verbena emit a lemony scent when crushed, which is enough to ward off mosquitoes and bugs. Moreover, you can grow lemon verbena in pots as Plants that repel mosquitoes, along with other herbs from this list to make it more potent.

Tip To Use: Crush and rub the leaves of lemon verbena on your hands, neck, and other exposed areas to get protection from mosquitoes.

8. Lavender

Botanical name: Lavandula

Does lavender plant repel mosquitoes? The fragrance of lavender due to the chemical compound linalool works both ways. Uniquely, this smell is very pleasing to humans but is disliked by mosquitoes, hence helpful in warding them off.

How many lavender plants are needed to repel mosquitoes? To create a significant mosquito-repelling effect, you may need to plant at least 5-10 lavender plants for every 100 square feet of outdoor space.

Tip To Use: How Do lavender plants repel mosquitoes? Mix lavender essential oil with coconut or olive oil and apply it to your skin; it will keep you safe from mosquitoes and will also moisturize your body.

DIY Mosquito Traps for Garden and Home that Really Work!

9. Citronella Geraniums

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Botanical name: Pelargonium citrosum

Does citronella plant repel mosquitoes? Yes! The foliage of Citronella geraniums releases a pleasing aroma, detested by flies and mosquitoes. According to a study, one hybrid geranium’s gene was replaced with Mosquito repellent citronella plant species. It repelled mosquitoes around a 10-square-foot area, proving that it is the top choice among Mosquito repelling plants.

Tip To Use: How Do citronella plants repel mosquitoes? You can crumple its leaves and apply its paste/oil on the body parts.

10. Garlic

Botanical name: Allium sativum

Wondering What plants repel mosquitoes? Go with Garlic. Garlic is the most natural way to eliminate mosquitoes from the surroundings. Moreover, due to its strong, pungent, and spicy scent, garlic works as a natural insect repellent. If you don’t believe it, check out more about Natural plants to repel mosquitoes.

Tip To Use: Put a few crumbled garlic cloves into a carrier oil and let them there for one day. Remove them and mix a cup of water and a few drops of lemon in it. Use it as a mosquito-repelling spray.

11. Lantana

Botanical name: Lantana camara

What plants repel mosquitos? According to a study published on NCBI, the pungent smell of lantana flowers has a repellent effect on Aedes mosquitoes. Growing these Plants that repel mosquitoes in homes will attract butterflies and, at the same time, will eliminate the mosquitoes from the surroundings!

Tip To Use: Burn the leaves of Lantana Camara as its smoke helps deter female Anopheles mosquitoes, which cause malaria.

12. Neem Tree

Botanical name: Azadirachta indica

Looking for Mosquito repellent plants outdoor? Neem has been popularly used for ages in the Indian subcontinent to get protection from mosquitoes. A large neem tree in the yard is better than all the Best plants that repel mosquitoes.

Tip To Use: Use 2 parts of neem oil with 98 parts of coconut oil and apply it to the body. Or burn the dried leaves of neem to eliminate pesky insects like mosquitoes, flies, and critters.

Here are the Best Remedies to Kill Mosquito Larvae in Water

13. Pennyroyal

lasilvestreflores

Botanical name: Mentha pulegium

Want more Plants that repel mosquitoes naturally? Read on! Pennyroyal leaves are very effective in getting rid of mosquitoes and gnats, earning it a place on our Mosquito repelling plants list. Its spearmint-like smell is disliked by mosquitoes, hence used in the formulation of pest repellent as well.

Tip To Use: You can use crushed stems of pennyroyal in your house or keep them in your pocket to repel mosquitoes; read more here.

14. Eucalyptus

Botanical name: Eucalyptus globulus

Eucalyptus, especially Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus citriodora, work as a barrier against mosquitoes, aphids, flies, and beetles. The cool mint and the pine-like scent of this tree make it one of the best Mosquito repellent plants indoor.

Tip To Use: You can even use the eucalyptus oil to repel bugs and aphids or just put these Plants that repel flies and mosquitoes in your home.

15. Stone Root

Botanical name: Collinsonia canadensis

Want to know about the Best mosquito repellent plant? This herb, which is also known as richweed, has a strong citrusy smell that helps in repelling mosquitoes. You can grow this herb in moist environmental conditions.

Tip To Use: You can extract the oil of these Natural plants that repel mosquitoes or rub the leaves directly on your skin.

16. Lime Basil

Botanical name: Ocimum americanum

The pungent and citrus fragrance of lime basil not only adds flavor to many dishes and salads but also makes it the Best plant to repel mosquitoes. Alternatively, you can also grow holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), which is also among Mosquito repelling plants.

Tip To Use: Burning some sprigs of lime basil will be helpful to make your space free from mosquitoes. Also, according to Ayurveda, chewing holy basil leaves every day helps in deterring mosquitoes from your body.

Check out some Homemade Mosquitoe Repellent Ideas here

17. Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous plants trap and consume insects and arthropods. You can grow Venus flytrap and Drosera as houseplants. They will consume and eliminate mosquitoes from space.

Note: These carnivorous plants may not repel mosquitoes to a large extent, but they are fun to grow indoors. Learn the names of some of the most popular ones here.

18. Chrysanthemums

Botanical name: Chrysanthemum spp.

Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrin, a natural insect repellent used in many commercial mosquito repellent products. Plant them in your garden or keep potted chrysanthemums on your patio to deter mosquitoes effectively.

Tip To Use: Place potted chrysanthemums near entryways to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.

19. Basil

Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum

Don’t know What plants repel mosquitoes? We’ve got you covered with the Best mosquito repellent plants. Basil’s strong scent, especially varieties like lemon basil and cinnamon basil, can help repel mosquitoes. Plus, it’s a versatile herb for culinary use.

Tip To Use: Plant basil near outdoor seating areas or crush its leaves to release the fragrance.

20. Clove

Botanical name: Syzygium aromaticum

Clove’s strong aroma, derived from eugenol, makes it a natural one of Mosquito repelling plants. You can use whole cloves or clove essential oil for mosquito control.

Tip To Use: Burn a few cloves or use clove essential oil in diffusers to deter mosquitoes indoors.

Check out some Unbelievable Cinnamon Uses in the Garden here

21. Bee Balm

Botanical name: Monarda spp.

Bee balm, also known as wild bergamot, is another Plant that repels mosquitoes and produces a delightful aroma that deters mosquitoes. Its vibrant blooms also attract pollinators to your garden and make perfect Outdoor mosquito repellent plants.

Tip To Use: Plant bee balm near outdoor seating areas to keep mosquitoes away.

22. Tansy

Botanical name: Tanacetum vulgare

Looking for Perennial plants that repel mosquitoes? Tansy emits a strong, distinctive scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant. It’s a hardy perennial choice of Mosquito repelling plants that can thrive in various garden conditions.

Tip To Use: Plant tansy around the borders of your garden to create a natural mosquito barrier.

23. Pineapple Sage

Botanical name: Salvia elegans

Did you know that Pineapple Sage is also among the Best plants to repel mosquitoes? Pineapple sage, with its fruity fragrance, not only repels mosquitoes but also attracts hummingbirds to your garden. It’s a win-win for your outdoor space.

Tip To Use: Plant pineapple sage in containers or as a border plant to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Check out some Amazing Neem Oil Uses in the Garden here

24. Bay Laurel

Botanical name: Laurus nobilis

Want some Shade plants that repel mosquitoes? Bay laurel, known for its aromatic leaves used in cooking, can keep mosquitoes at bay with its pleasant scent. It is one of the top choices if you want Plants that repel flies and mosquito.

Tip To Use: Burn dried bay leaves or use them in outdoor arrangements to repel mosquitoes.

25. Oregano

Botanical name: Origanum vulgare

Completing our list of 25 plants that repel mosquitoes, we have Oregano, another Plant repel flies and mosquitoes. Oregano’s aromatic leaves not only enhance your culinary dishes but also repel mosquitoes when planted in your garden.

Tip To Use: These Plants repel mosquitoes naturally. Just crush oregano leaves and scatter them around outdoor seating areas.


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