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Mosquitos are not just annoying; they can also carry diseases. They are a significant issue for many people, especially those who live in areas with large amounts of standing water or near wetlands.
Luckily some plants can help repel mosquitos! Here is a list of plants that will help keep the pesky pests away from your home and garden.
Plants that repel mosquitos
Lavender
If we start this list with lavender, it is because of its powerful and pleasant odor. The smell will hold mosquitoes back, and if planted around the home, it may stop them from entering. Fortunately, it is a beautiful plant, which will look good and smell great when planted in the garden.
It also repels moths when dried and crushed, so its flowers can be used for this purpose. Its broad associated uses suggest that anyone can use this plant if planted in the garden or on a balcony.
Lavender requires simple conditions to grow, but it must receive enough water making it efficient for use in areas with high humidity, where it will flower most of the year.
Geranium
Among citronella, lavender, and peppermint, geranium also counts as a plant that repels mosquitos! Although it may not be as strong as the other plant, it is still a great addition to your garden. The smell will hold them back, and if planted around the home, it may stop them from entering.
Essential to note that geranium is also a plant that repels aphids, another common garden pest. Thus, its diversity of use is another argument favoring planting this plant near your home.
The ecological requirements of geranium are relatively simple. It is also a plant that can tolerate occasional flooding to grow in wetlands and other areas with excess water.
Rosemary
This aromatic herb grows well in pots that you can move around when outside during mosquito seasons. Rosemary also doubles as an anti-fungal, so you have double the reasons to grow it around your home.
Due to its ecological needs and some susceptibility to fungi, rosemary is especially recommended for areas of high humidity and mild winters.
However, it can adapt quickly to almost any type of garden, although you must be patient while the herb grows. Once fully grown, it will provide plenty of leaves for kitchen use, and its pleasant smell will repel mosquitos.
Basil
Did you know that basil can serve as an ant repellent? It doesn’t only repel ants, but mosquitos too! It works great when planted in pots around the house or if you plant a basil hedge for better protection.
Besides repelling mosquitoes, basil is also associated with repelling other pests, such as whiteflies and beetles. They are ubiquitous on tomato plants, so if you grow these types of plants around your house, this herb will assist in keeping them away!
Basil requires full sun, but it can tolerate occasional flooding. It is pretty resistant to fungi, although it may require some maintenance.
Citronella Grass
Citronella grass is a plant you will want to grow in your garden as it serves as a significant barrier against mosquitoes. It doesn’t only repel the pests but also other insects such as ticks and fleas. Its looks also complement its action so that it will serve as a great ornamental plant at the same time.
Although citronella grass can obtain an acceptable height and width in most conditions, it is one of those plants that may require some maintenance.
It has quite high ecological requirements and requires full sun while occasionally tolerating flooding.
Mint
Mint is another herb that repels mosquitos! Like basil, it doesn’t only repel the pests but also other insects. It works great when planted in pots around the house or if you plant a mint hedge for better protection.
It is easy to see why it works as a mosquito repellent from its name. If you plant mint around the house, mosquitoes will stay away from your home.
Mint requires full sun and tolerates flooding, but it is high maintenance due to its susceptibility to fungi. However, this shouldn’t deter you from planting it in your garden if mosquitos are a problem.
Marigolds
Marigolds are great to plant around the home as they repel mosquitos and keep rabbits and deer away from your garden. Its flowers are also great for salads and other dishes to use in your kitchen.
Marigolds require full sun and tolerate occasional flooding. It is resistant to fungi, but it requires soil that drains well, is rich in nutrients, and has a pH between 6 and 7.5.
Lemon Grass
Another herb that repels mosquitos, this one, is strong enough to keep them away from a small area all year round.
It works best when planted in pots around the house, but you can also use it in your garden.
When planted in pots, the herb will spread over time, and you will have plenty of leaves to use in your kitchen. It is effortless to grow lemongrass around the house, but it also provides a tremendous ornamental touch to your garden.
Lemongrass requires full sun and tolerates occasional flooding, although it is high maintenance due to its susceptibility to fungi.
Sage
You can grow this herb in pots or your garden, and it will repel mosquitos and other insects such as ants and moths. Its compactness makes it an ideal candidate for pots, while its strong smell makes it perfect to use around the home.
It grows best in neutral or alkaline soils, although it tolerates different conditions. Although it requires full sun, it can tolerate occasional flooding. It is very resistant to fungi, but it requires soil that drains well and is rich in nutrients.
Catnip
Catnip is probably best known for its effect on cats, but it also works as an excellent mosquito repellent. It doesn’t have an overpowering smell, so that you can use it indoors or outside around the home or garden.
Ensure minimum growth in the winter months, but other than that, it requires very little maintenance. Catnip tolerates different soil types, and it tolerates full sun or partial shade.
Bee Balm
This plant has a minty flavor that mosquitos hate. It will repel them and other insects such as ticks, moths, and horseflies. Ecologically, bee balm is even more attractive as it attracts bees and other pollinators.
Bee balm tolerates partial shade or full sun and doesn’t require particular soil types, although it grows best in moist soils. It is not very tolerant of flooding, but drought resistance makes it an excellent choice for the garden.
Floss Flower
Floss flower is known to repel mosquitos and many other insects. Although it may not be as strong as some other plants on this list, it still serves its purpose well. Always ensure that it has full sun and soil that drains well and is sensitive to flooding. It tolerates different types of soils and doesn’t require any significant maintenance.
Allium
This plant comes in many different species, but they have in common that all are excellent mosquito repellents. Other insects that will also be repelled are ticks and Japanese beetles. Occasionally, you will notice that rabbits and deer stay away from this plant.
Allium can tolerate full sun, and it doesn’t require particular soil types, but it does benefit from rich soil that drains well. Allium isn’t very tolerant to flooding or drought, although it requires low maintenance due to its resistance against fungi.
Conclusion
When choosing a plant that repels mosquitos, always remember that you want to choose a plant that works for your garden and home. The plants on this list are very safe and great for use around children or pets such as cats and dogs.
If you find any of these plants in your garden, make sure you leave them where they are because the benefits outweigh the disadvantages by far!
(Photos: Shutterstock)