communion is deal !
get ’s be honest — mosquito are the absolute bad .
You ’re out there on a beautiful summer evening , with a drink in manus . Maybe a little cosmic string luminousness action is break on , and what happens ?
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You become the buffet .
And if you ’re like me , you ’ve belike tried everything from citronella candles to those questionable bug zappers that sound like they ’re fry tiny demon every five minutes .
But what if I told you there ’s a pretty , more natural way to keep those little pests away ?
Yep — plants .
Good old - fashioned potted plants that not only depend great on your patio but also help repel mosquitoes . And no , you do n’t require to be a horticulture pro to keep these animated .
19 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes Backed by Studies
1. Lavender
Okay , I know this one sounds a little too dreamy to be true , but lavender is n’t just for calming pillow sprays . It turns out mosquitoes ca n’t support the stuff .
According to astudypublished in theJournal of Vector Ecology , lilac-colored petroleum was find to repel adult mosquito in effect . Plus , it smells amazing and looks like something out of a Pinterest board .
Pro tip : Put it in a sunny spot because lavender loves the warmth . I ’ve got a match of pots near my terrace chairs , and I trust I get sting way less when I sit down by them . Here ’s how you cangrow lavender in pots .
2. Citronella
You ’ve definitely heard of citronella candles , but the actualplantis even better . It smell like lemony goodness , and mosquitoes detest it .
The best part ?
It ’s a hardy picayune thing , so it ’s hard to kill ( a large profits in my Quran ) .
However , you ’ll want to getCymbopogon nardusorCymbopogon winterianus — those are the real - deal mosquito - repelling varieties . Not thosedecorative “ citronella ” geraniumsthey sometimes essay to return off at big box stores .
3. Basil
Image quotation : Leylavia Substack
Yes , the same Basil of Caesarea you make on your pizza pie or in a caprese salad . Turns out it ’s also a raw mosquito repellant .
Astudyin theMalaria Journalshowed that basil essential oil has mosquito - repelling property . And if science allege so , who are we to argue ?
fillip : It ’s super easy togrow in weed , and you could just snip a small off for cooking whenever you postulate it . treble - intent plants are my favorite kind of plants .
4. Mint
Another kitchen staple that doubles as a mosquito impediment .
plenty grow like crazy ( seriously , do n’t plant it directly in your garden unless you desire it to take over your life ) , and it ’s big in a container . Mosquitoes are n’t fan of their sharp-worded perfume , so set a few pots around your stamping ground billet can avail keep them aside .
Pro tip : Mint likes partial shade and regular watering . And you ’ll love it in mojitos .
5. Marigolds
These cheerful little blossom might prompt you of your grannie ’s garden , but they pack a punch in the hemipteron - repelling department . Marigolds containpyrethrum , a natural compound often used in insect repellant .
They ’re soft to develop in potbelly , and the bright blooms tally some nice coloring to your terrace frame-up . Plus , they repel other pests likeaphidsandwhiteflies , too . It ’s like hiring tiny floral bodyguard .
6. Rosemary
Ah , rosemary . Looks good , smells amazing , repels mosquitoes , and make your grill chicken tasting like it came from a fancy bistro . What ’s not to love ?
you may grow rosemary in a smoke on your patio , and if you ’re feel fancy , toss a few sprigs on the grill — the hummer help oneself chase mosquitoes off , too .
7. Lemongrass
This one ’s a must - have .
Lemongrass contains citronella oil , and mosquito abominate it . It grows tall and grassy , make it perfect for add a small privacy around your patio .
If you ’re wondering if lemongrass does repel mosquito , here ’s what theresearchsays .
Besides , lemon grass loves heat and sun , so give it a promising spot and well - debilitate territory . Bonus — you may snip a stalk or two for your homemade Thai curry .
8. Catnip
Fun fact : Catnip does n’t just drive your cat wild , it also revolt mosquitoes like a champ .
According to research from Iowa State University , catnip isten timesmore effective than DEET at repelling mosquito . savage , right ?
Warning : If you have neighborhood cat , be prepared for a few extra visitor .
9. Bee Balm
Also address Monarda , bee balm attracts pollinator like bees and butterflies , but send mosquito carry . Its savory , minty olfactory property is n’t their thing .
Plus , those bright , shagged flowers are total showstoppers .
Pro top : Keep it in a sunny patch , and deadhead the blooms for even more flower .
10. Scented Geraniums
These are n’t your grandma ’s houseplants .
Certain varieties of scented geraniums ( especially the lemon tree - scented ones ) have mosquito - repelling place thanks to their secure fragrance .
Pro Tip : They flourish in pot , love full sun , and you’re able to crush a few leave of absence in your hands to release even more of that lemony goodness .
11. Pennyroyal
This lesser - known herbaceous plant is part of the mint sept and has a solid aroma that mosquitoes hate . It ’s a low - grow plant , so it ’s peachy for filling in around taller bay window .
circumspection : Pennyroyal can be toxic to pets if eaten , so manoeuvre clear if you ’ve catch curious furred friends .
12. Thyme
Specifically , lemon thyme is a firm choice for mosquito command . It liberate a citrusy scent that bugs ca n’t brook . And aboveboard , it looks lovely spilling over the side of meat of a Lucius DuBignon Clay pot .
Moreover , it ’s another one you’re able to falsify with . Summer grilled veggies , anyone ?
13. Allium
Yep — those big , globe - shape purple flowers are part of the onion family , and mosquitoes ca n’t deal with their feeling . Alliums look dramatic in a flock and attract forked duty in pest controller .
you could start withpotted garlicand carry on experiment with other members of the allium family .
As a bonus , they also repel aphids and other annoying garden pests .
14. Wormwood
This silvery , feathery - leave plant is a favorite of bungalow gardens and happens to be a natural mosquito deterrent , too . Its scent and acerb taste are totally unappealing to mosquitoes .
Pro tip : It care dry , well - debilitate soil , so it ’s stark if you ’re prone to over - forgetting your watering can .
15. Bay Laurel
You in all probability have a jar of dried Laurus nobilis leave of absence in your spice rack , but the plant itself makes a gorgeous terrace plus . And mosquitoes hate the olfactory modality .
Bonus : Pluck a few fresh leaves for soups and stews when the weather turn chilly .
16. Pitcher Plants
Here ’s a wild bill of fare — pitcher plants are carnivorous , meaning they run through bug . Mosquitoes included . They ’re a little trickier to worry for since they like humid conditions and distilled water , but they ’re all captivating .
Note that these plant are not huge deterrents alone , but a cool summation to your anti - mosquito squad .
17. Tansy
golden buttons has cheerful yellow button - comparable flowers and a strong camphor aroma that keeps mosquitoes at bay . It ’s a scrap old - school , but it ’s made a rejoinder with gardeners looking for natural cuss control .
Like pennyroyal , golden buttons can be toxic if ingest , so keep it out of reach of pets and pocket-size child .
18. Dwarf Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is famous for its clear , menthol - like fragrance . While some varieties get into giant trees , you may find gnome or pot diversity that thrive outdoors in summer .
Pro tip : Crush a few leave between your fingers for an superfluous mosquito - repelling boost .
19. Feverfew
Last but not least , feverfew is an honest-to-god - fashioned herb with small daisy - same flower and a strong aroma . fillip : It ’s been traditionally used to process cephalalgia , though you ’ll want to explore that one before testing it out .
It ’s a sturdy picayune thing in term of growing , perfect for pots and flower boxes .
A Few Quick Tips for Success
Conclusion
Listen , I ’m not saying potted works alone will turn your patio into a mosquito - free utopia .
But paired with a lover ( mosquitoes are weak fliers — fun fact ) and maybe a strategical citronella candela or two , it makes a detectable difference . Plus , your outdoor space will search and smell incredible .
If you ’ve drive a preferent mosquito - repelling works I did n’t mention , lease me have it away ! I ’m always on the observation tower for novel flora friends . Because honestly , I ’ll take any excuse to bribe more flora .
Here ’s to mosquito - barren evenings and patios full of pretty , hardworking plant .
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