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10 Best Mosquito Repellent Plants to Ward Off Mosquitoes for Good

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Mosquitos are almost impossible to get rid of. They spread many diseases and are scattered everywhere. Chemical repellents, while effective, can also be very irritating. 

In order to ward off mosquitos, you would have to spray a lot of chemicals, and that will disturb you as well. The chemicals will disperse after some time, and the mosquitos will return again.

With mosquito repellent plants, you can keep mosquitos away without having the side effects of chemicals. The plants also continuously repel mosquitoes.

In this article, we will be taking a look at the different plants that are great at repelling mosquitos and how you can grow these plants at home effectively. 

So, let’s take a look at the different plants that are great for repelling mosquitos. 

10 Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

1. Lavender

Mosquito Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

Lavender is not only great at repelling mosquitos, but it also smells very refreshing. This plant also has many other benefits such as digestive problems, headaches, sores, etc.

Lavenders are perennial flowers and are great at attracting butterflies, honey bees, and other pollinators while keeping mosquitos away. It is also an easy plant to take care of, and you can easily grow them indoors with the right care.

If you are growing Lavenders indoors, then you should plant them near the windows as this will effectively keep the mosquitos away, and your plant will also get the proper amount of sunlight to thrive.

Ideal Growing Conditions: 

These plants need full sun for ideal growth, and if the light is too intense, then you can place them in the shade for some time. Lavenders like to be in slightly alkaline soils with a pH between 6.7–7.3. They do not tolerate excessive water in the soil, so you should ensure that the soil is well-drained. 

The USDA hardiness zones for Lavenders are 5–8.

2. LemonGrass

LemonGrass Best Mosquito Repellent Plants
via Pxhere

This plant is also an excellent mosquito repellent because it can even be added to soups or other dishes as an ingredient. LemonGrass has a citrus aroma and a sharp taste.

It is important to keep in mind that LemonGrass has been shown to cause birth defects. Pregnant moms and new moms should not get this plant. 

This is a type of herb, and it is quite easy to grow as well. They may not be the most attractive-looking plants for a garden, but they are still useful plants to have.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

LemonGrass prefers to be in full sun conditions. The soil should be moist but well-drained, and you will also need to fertilize it. You can do this by regularly adding plant food to the soil. 

The USDA hardiness zones for LemonGrass are 8–11. 

3. Peppermint

Peppermint Best Mosquito Repellent Plants
via Pixabay

Peppermint is used as a remedy for many diseases. It is great at repelling mosquitos, and it is also used to treat irritating mosquito bites. You can chop up the Peppermint and add it to a dish to get its benefits.

One important thing to watch out for with Peppermint is its invasive nature. If left unchecked, it can easily take over your garden as it is a fast-grower. But with the right care, you can easily grow Peppermint in your garden.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Peppermint can grow in partial shade, but you should plant it in full sun conditions to maximize its medicinal benefits. Peppermint can grow in many types of soil as long as it is moist. The ideal pH for Peppermint plants is 5.5–6.0.

The USDA hardiness zones for Peppermints are 3–11. 

4. Citronella

Citronella Best Mosquito Repellent Plants
Citronella Plant via Reddit.com

This plant is commonly mistaken as LemonGrass. Both these plants look and smell quite similar and are closely related but are different plants altogether. 

Citronella fragrance is added in candles to repel mosquitoes as it is exceptionally good at repelling mosquitoes. Besides its ability as a mosquito repellent, Citronella oil has many medicinal uses as well. 

Citronella plant is also drought-resistant and very easy to grow. You can grow it in an indoor garden and easily get rid of mosquitoes from your home.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Citronella likes to be in full sun conditions. It can also be kept in partially shaded areas as long as it receives 6 hours of sunlight every day. The Citronella plant needs a lot of water, so the ideal soil should be very moist but also well-drained.

The USDA hardiness zones for Citronella plants are 9–11. 

5. Rosemary

Rosemary Best Mosquito Repellent Plants
Rosemary via Flickr.com

Rosemary smoke is a very popular insect repellent, Rosemary is not only a great way to repel insects, but they are also used as a seasoning in many dishes. Another use of Rosemary is its oil extract. Rosemary oil is great for skin and hair health.

This herb is a great addition to your garden or indoor space. These plants are also quite easy to grow as they don’t have too high water requirements. Rosemary prefers drier soils, so you can let them dry out before having to water again.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Rosemary plants prefer to be in full sun conditions. They can grow in light shade as well but will not be as healthy, provided it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. 

Sandy soil is ideal for Rosemary plants. You will only need to water the soil if it is dry to the touch. A pH between 6.0–7.0 is preferred. 

The USDA hardiness zones for Rosemary plants are 8–9.

6. Sage

Sage Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

Sage is also another plant that is commonly burnt to repel mosquitoes. It is used to treat some medical conditions like indigestion, stomach pain, heartburn, etc. Sage is even used to improve some psychological conditions as well.

With so many benefits, you will be glad to know that Sage is very easy to grow. This herb can be grown easily in gardens or at home. Sage is drought-tolerant, so you will not have to worry too much about watering the plant frequently.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Sage grows best in partial to no shade. If you are keeping Sage as an indoor plant, you should place it near a window so that it gets enough sunlight. 

Sage can grow in sandy soil. You don’t have to worry too much about watering the soil. Just water when you notice the soil is getting a little dry, but make sure that the soil is well-drained. 

The USDA hardiness zones for Sage are 5–9. 

7. Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

This is a herb from the mint family. The plant is known for its leaves that have a lemony aroma. Lemon Balm is a very popular herb for its relaxing properties. 

People use this herb to treat anxiety, stress, dementia, and even indigestion. Another interesting use of Lemon Balm is its use as a flavoring in ice cream. Other food uses include its use to spice up chicken and fish dishes. You can even add its leaves to salads. 

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Unlike many other herbs, Lemon Balm does not do too well in full sun conditions. For ideal growth, you should keep the plant in areas with partial shade. However, if you are keeping your Lemon Balm indoors, then you should ensure that it gets at least 5–6 hours of sunlight every day. 

This plant can grow in many different types of soil without any issues as long as it is well-drained, but the ideal type is sandy loam soil. Water when you notice that the top of your soil is starting to dry a little. 

The USDA hardiness zones for Lemon Balm plants are 3–7. 

8. Marigold

Marigold Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

Marigold is a beautiful plant with bright flowers that give off a strong fragrance. The plant is even added to salads, soups, and other dishes to add a citrusy taste to them.

The plant is used as a treatment for minor skin injuries like inflammation. It is also an excellent mosquito repellent and is also known as “nature’s insecticide.” 

Marigolds are also very easy to grow. These plants are really an excellent choice for any garden. They can tolerate heat, drought, and even pests. You will basically only have to water your plant in order to enjoy its many benefits. 

Ideal Growing Conditions:

These plants can grow in partial shade conditions but should be kept in full sun for the best results. If you are keeping it as an indoor plant, then you should ensure that your Marigold gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. 

The soil should be well-drained and be rich in organic matter. You will only need to water the soil once you notice that it is starting to dry out a little. 

The USDA hardiness zones for Marigold plants are 2–11.

9. Basil

Basil Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

We have all heard about Basil. It is used in all types of dishes to add flavor and scent. The herb is also used as a treatment for many medical conditions like stomach spasms, gas, kidney problems, infections, etc.

There are many varieties of this herb, and all of them are great for repelling mosquitoes. Basil is not an ideal plant for indoor gardens as it needs a lot of sunlight for the best results. 

If you want to keep this plant indoors, then you will need to ensure that it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Basil does best in full sunlight. This plant needs at least 6–8 hours of sunlight per day. If the sunlight is a little too bright, then you might need to place your plant in the shade for some time. 

Your soil should be moist but well-drained. The ideal pH level for Basil plants is 6–7. 

The USDA hardiness zones for Basil are 10–11. 

10. Monarda

Monarda Best Mosquito Repellent Plants

Also known as Bee Balm, Monardas are flowering plants that are great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. They also excel in repelling mosquitoes thanks to their minty-scent.

Monardas have beautiful and bright flowers and are a beautiful solution to the mosquito problem. They have even been used to treat ailments like cold, flu, stomach issues, etc. 

These plants bloom from mid summers to early fall seasons and have beautiful red flowers. You can even get them in other color varieties, such as purple, white, or pink.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

These plants are fairly easy to take care of. They are drought tolerant but should be watered twice a week if the temperature is too high. 

They prefer to be in full sun conditions but should be placed in a shaded area if the light gets too bright. The soil should ideally be moist and well-drained. You can use different kinds of soil without any issues. 

The USDA hardiness zones for Monarda plants are 3–8. 


Conclusion

And that was our entire list of the best plants for repelling mosquitoes. 

You must have noticed that most of the plants are a type of herb. Herbs are by far the best choice for repelling mosquitoes, and many of them even provide many medicinal benefits. 

If you are looking for a plant that is easy to grow, then you will be very happy with the large variety on this list. 

The plants at #1, #2, #4, #5, #6, and #8 are all very easy to grow for a new gardener. 

Since most of the plants in this list are herbs, you will not find many colors on them. If you are looking for a plant that is not only great at repelling mosquitoes but also looks good while doing so, then you can go with the Marigold or Monarda.

Placed at #8 and #10, respectively, these plants bloom some beautiful flowers that are a great look for a garden.

The Marigold is also known for its beautiful fragrance. You can also opt for the Citronella plant for a fragrant choice. 

We know that mosquitoes are extremely annoying and just can’t seem to be eradicated. Chemicals are only temporary solutions and can be irritating for humans as well.

This is why these plants are the best choice for anyone who wants to keep mosquitoes at bay for long. We hope that this list was useful for you.