Outdoor entertainment is one of the greatest joys of summer and spring. Until, of course, the mosquitoes invaded. Instead of pesticides and spray, you can try the effective cluster of potted mosquito-repelling plants.
Group these plants close to the seating spot on your patio or deck. Besides, giving protection against mosquitoes, they give a beautiful and verdant touch to the outdoor landscape.
What is the best plant to keep mosquitoes away
Lemon Balm
This hardy perennial plant also popularly known as horsemint repels mosquitoes by spreading a strong odor just like the citronella grass. The plant is fast-growing and drought-resistant. You can plant it in a planter so that it could be moved to the seating area when you want relief from mosquitoes.
Marigolds
The powerful mosquito-repelling ability of this popular annual is widely advertised. Gardeners usually plant marigolds in the vegetable garden to drive away other types of insects as well. The distinct odor of this plant is unbearable for mosquitoes and hence keeps them away.
Catnip
Although this perennial plant is known for its medicinal properties, many people are not aware of its mosquito-repelling trait. The natural oil in the leaves of this plant has been proved 10 times more effective than insecticides. It is recommended to plant catnip around the deck and patio to keep away the mosquitoes.
Citronella
This plant with its powerful lemony scent is known for its bug-repelling ability. The grass-like plant grows almost six feet tall. You can go for varieties such as citronella winterianus or Cymbopogon nardus.
Lavender
Grow this aromatic plant in your garden to keep away the mosquitoes. You can grow them indoors as well provided you keep the plant near a sunny window. The purple flowers, lovely fragrance, and calming properties are quite soothing and hence a pretty addition to your home or garden.
Peppermint
Mosquitoes do not like the smell of peppermint. Therefore, planting them in your garden is an excellent way to keep away the insects. You can also crush the leaves of the plant and rub them on the skin. The crushed leaves also relieve itching.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus help repels mosquitoes when you plant them in your yard. Place the crushed eucalyptus leaves in rubbing alcohol and use this as a spray or aerosol.
Ageratum
Ageratum or floss flowers emit a smell that is particularly offensive for mosquitoes. The plant secretes a substance known as coumarin. It is used in commercially available mosquito repellents.
Mint
Mosquitoes do not like the delicious and refreshing scent of mint. The plant grows quickly in the pots or ground. You can also pick some mint leaves and massage them directly on the skin to repel mosquitoes.
Basil
This is one of those herbs, which emits an aroma even without crushing the leaves. You can control mosquitoes by planting basil in pots or your backyard. You can also rub the crushed leaves on your skin. You can use any basil variety, but Peruvian basil, lemon basil, and cinnamon basil are the best to control mosquitoes, as they emit the strongest fragrances.
Neem
This is one of the strongest mosquito repellent plants. Due to its insect repelling properties, it is used in balm and mosquito repellents. You can burn the leaves or rub neem oil directly on the skin to keep away the mosquitoes.
Vanilla Leaf
This plant is native to Japan. Indigenous people hanged bundles of dried plants around their houses to keep away the flies and mosquitoes. You can rub the dried or fresh plant on the skin to deter mosquitoes.
Mugwort, Sagebrush, Wormwood
All these plants belong to the same genus. The plants can be used as a fragrant smudge, which is known to be quite an effective mosquito repellent. You can also crush the leaves and apply them to the skin.
Pineapple Weed
This is one of the commonly grown weedy species, which is found across North America. It is grown along the edges of roads, lawns, and other areas. You can plant them in pots and place them on the patio or deck to repel mosquitoes. You can apply the crushing plant to the skin directly.
Pitcher Plant
This herbaceous perennial plant is generally planted in the hanging basket, which can be placed on the tree limbs or patio plant stands. It attracts and captures mosquitoes in your garden. It uses the captured insects as fertilizer.
Tansies
Tansies also known as mums are quite similar to marigold. However, they grow taller and the flowers are larger. The flowers are of different colors including red, yellow, and pink. You can grow tansies around doorways, which act as a deterrent for mosquitoes.
Lemon Thyme
According to a study conducted by the Ontario-based ‘University of Guelph’, lemon thyme leaves have powerful insect repelling properties than DEET, which is the commonly used compound in most commercially available insect repellents.
Pennyroyal
This plant belongs to the mint family and is an ancient herb used for culinary purposes. The plant repels all types of insects including mosquitoes when grown around your house. However, the plant is not recommended if you have small children or pets, as they might eat the leaves, which is considered highly toxic.
Southernwood
This plant belongs to the Artemisia family and it is usually used to enhance the flavor of the food. The scent of southernwood repels mosquitoes and wasps alike. The dried flowers can be spread around the house to keep away the mosquitoes.
Woodruff
Woodruff or Galium Odoratum is known for its tonic, digestive and diuretic properties. However, not many of them know that it is an excellent insect repellent as well. Plant this in your garden and it will drive away from the mosquitoes from your house.
Alliums
The unpleasant odor of alliums such as onions, chives, and garlic are known for their strong repulsive property. Growing them in your garden will drive away from the pesky mosquitoes. For maximum effect, simply rub them on the skin or arrange them on the table outside the house.
Chrysanthemums
Pyrethrum, the powder extracted from chrysanthemums is known as a natural insecticide. It attacks the nervous system of the mosquitoes, which makes them unable to sting. All the subspecies of this widely used ornamental plant are very good mosquito repellents.
Mint
This evergreen plant grows about two meters and insects do not like its smell. This decorative plant must be planted in airy and sunny weather.
Drosera
The flowers of this carnivorous plant attract insects with their smell. The formic acid dissolves the insect, which sticks to the flower. Sundew is indeed a very good weapon against mosquitoes.
Nicotiana
The strong scent emitted by the nicotiana plants will drive away from the mosquitoes at night. It has the unique feature of emitting a stronger odor in the evening. The plant could be cultivated in a flower box, garden, or flowerpot.
Plectranthus Coleoides
The odor emitted by the essential oils present in the leaves of this plant acts as a mosquito repellent. It can be planted in pots, ground, or decorative containers.
