Home » Misc » Shrubs that repel mosquitoes

Shrubs that repel mosquitoes


12 Mosquito Repellent Plants | Garden Design

What are the best plants to keep mosquitoes away? Plant these 12 plants in your garden for their colorful and fragrant display, plus their ability to keep uninvited bugs out. By Christine Yoo Updated 6/1/2022

Most insect-repelling plants do so with their natural fragrances, which keep annoying mosquitoes away and introduce wonderful scents throughout your garden. If you don't want to douse yourself or your garden in chemical bug sprays you can grow some of these plants to help keep mosquitoes away naturally. Plant these plants in areas where guests will be often such as by a seating area or a doorway.

Grow these 12 plants to naturally repel mosquitos:

Sweet Romance® lavender. Photo by: Proven Winners

1. Lavender

Buy Now

Have you ever noticed that insects or even rabbits and other animals have never decimated your lavender plant? It is because of their lovely fragrance, which comes from its essential oils that are found on the leaves of the plant. It is even argued that lavender oil hinders a mosquito’s ability to smell! This plant is very tough and drought-resistant once established, and only needs full sun and good drainage. And while it can endure many climates, it thrives in warmer areas. Read more about growing lavender.

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 5-11, depending on type
Bloom time: Summer to fall

Buy lavender from Proven Winners.

Marigold flowers.

2. Marigold

Marigolds, an easy-to-grow annual flower, emit a smell that deters mosquitoes. Grow them in pots and place them near your patio or entrance to your home to keep bugs out. Marigolds are also a popular addition to borders and vegetable gardens. According to NYBG, not only can they keep away mosquitoes, but they also dissuade aphids, thrips, whiteflies, Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, and tomato hornworms. Read more about growing marigold flowers.

Plant type: Annual
Bloom time: Late spring until frost

Citronella grass.

3. Citronella Grass (Lemon Grass)

Buy Now

Known for its distinct smell, citronella grass (or lemon grass) is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellants. In fact, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden recommends lemon-scented plants such as citronella grass to keep mosquitoes at bay. And the good news is that the living plant is the most effective at repelling pests. This low-maintenance plant does best in large planters because it cannot withstand frost, but in warmer climates, can be planted directly a sunny area in the ground.

Plant type: Usually grown as an annual
Zones: 9-11

Buy lemon grass from Proven Winners.

'Cat's Meow' catmint. Photo by: Proven Winners.

4. Catmint

Buy Now

Catnip (catmint) can be found thriving almost anywhere. It is from the mint family and grows abundantly both as a commercial plant and as a weed. It is very easy to take care of and may even start to invade other areas of your garden. However, if you are willing to forgo this plant’s insidious nature, they are amazing mosquito repellants and another recommendation from the BBG. In a study at Iowa State University, catmint was found to be ten times more effective than DEET, the chemical used in most insect repellants. Read more about growing catmint plants.

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 3-8
Bloom time: Early summer to fall

Buy catmint from Proven Winners.

Rosemary.

5. Rosemary

Another great mosquito repellant is rosemary. Both the New York Botanical Garden and PlantShed recommended this plant. Rosemary is an herb that many of us are very familiar with and their woody scent is exactly what keeps mosquitoes as well as cabbage moths and carrot flies away. They do best in hot and dry climates and thrive in containers, which may be ideal for areas with winters. They can also be pruned into all sorts of shapes and sizes and make great borders or decorations. While the pests stay away you can enjoy the herb’s scent and also use it to season your cooking.

Plant type: Perennial herb
Zones: 7-10

Amazel Basil® sweet Italian basil. Photo by: Proven Winners.

5. Basil

Buy Now

Basil is another herb that can also double as a pest repellent. The pungent smell the basil leaves give off are what keep pests at bay. And since all kinds of basil work to keep flies and mosquitoes at bay, feel free to explore and find the right types of basil to mix into your garden. This herb likes to be kept damp, needs good drainage, and enjoys lots of sun. You can plant basil in containers or in the garden, alone or with other flowers, as long as both plants meet the same requirements. Read more about growing basil.

Plant type: Usually grown as an annual
Zones: 10-11
Bloom time: Summer to frost

Buy basil from Proven Winners.

Scented geranium. Photo by: Proven Winners.

7. Citronella / Scented Geranium

Buy Now

Scented geraniums are also a popular mosquito-repelling plant. Recommended by PlantShed, BBG, and NYBG, the favored scent seems to be lemon scented, which is reminiscent of citronella grass. The strong fragrance keeps several types of pests away. These fast-growing plants like warm, sunny, and dry climates, but if you are in a cold-climate area, they can be grown in planters with constant pruning. Read more about growing geraniums.

Plant type: Usually grown as an annual
Zones: 10-11
Bloom time: Spring to fall

Buy citronella (mosquito plant) from Proven Winners.

'Pardon My Cerise' bee balm. Photo by: Proven Winners.

8. Bee Balm

Buy Now

Want to attract good bugs like bees and butterflies, while deterring the bad ones? Then bee balm, also known as Monarda or horsemint, is the plant for you. Simply crush its leaves to release the fragrant oils. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy colorful flowers, in shades of red, pink, lavender, white, or purple, all summer long. Read more about growing bee balm.

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 4-8
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Buy bee balm from Proven Winners.

Mint.

9. Mint

Mint is an excellent nontoxic option for keeping mosquitoes, flies and even ants away. The more pungent the aroma, the less bugs you’ll have. Grow it in pots on your patio where it can be easily reached if you want to drop a leaf or two in your afternoon tea. You can even dry the leaves and use them inside your home as a natural pest control method.

Plant type: Perennial herb
Zones: 3-8

Artist® Blue floss flower. Photo by: Proven Winners.

10. Floss Flower (Ageratum)

Buy Now

This attractive annual flower makes great bedding or container plants. Floss flower contains coumarin, a chemical that helps repel mosquitoes—but also makes it toxic if ingested by pets or humans. Read more about growing floss flower.

Plant type: Usually grown as an annual
Zones: 9-10
Bloom time: Planting to hard frost

Buy floss flower from Proven Winners.

Sage. Photo by: Proven Winners.

11. Sage

If you love gathering around a fire pit in your backyard, then plant some sage nearby. Toss some of the plant into the flames and its earthy smell will ward off bugs. Sage can also be dried and used to make homemade bug spray.

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 5-8

Allium 'Millenium'. Photo by: Proven Winners.

12. Allium

Buy Now

These bulbs, which include garlic and onions, release a strong fragrance that mosquitoes don’t like. You’ll enjoy the whimsical globe-shaped flowers of allium that seem to float atop long slender, stems. Read more about growing allium bulbs.

Plant type: Bulb
Zones: 3-8, depending on variety
Bloom time: Planting to hard frost

Buy allium plants from Proven Winners.

We consulted with the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Plantshed for the best plant options.

More Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away

In addition to growing the plants listed above, you should also practice good mosquito control in your garden so that the pests don’t get out of hand. The best thing you can do is prevent water from collecting and becoming stagnant; mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs even in a tiny spoonful of standing water. Mosquito rings can be used virtually anywhere you have standing water — rain barrels, birdbaths, water gardens, ponds — even animal watering troughs. They contain a naturally occurring bacterium (Bt israelensis) that kills mosquito larvae.

There are also other natural products available that can help ward off mosquitoes in your garden. These include, citronella torches and candles, as well as essential oils derived from the plants listed here.

The Importance of Mosquito Control

Throughout the years, mosquitoes have transmitted many diseases including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, encephalitis, and more recently the West Nile and Zika viruses. Mosquitoes are even to blame for heartworm in dogs. So it isn’t just about the annoyance or the itchy bite, it is a health concern for your family and pets.

Pin this article for later:

RELATED READING

15 Easy Herbs to Grow

Backyard Landscaping Ideas

Safe Solutions for Pests & Diseases

Growing Lavender: Planting & Care Guide

Growing tips for this fragrant, easy-care plant that thrives in sunny locations By Anne Balogh

Lavender, an herb with many culinary uses, also makes a stunning addition to borders and perennial gardens, providing sweeping drifts of color from early summer into fall. With its silvery-green foliage, upright flower spikes and compact shrub-like form, lavender is ideal for creating informal hedges. You can also harvest it for fragrant floral arrangements, sachets, and potpourri.

COMMON TYPES OF LAVENDER

Sweet Romance, English lavender. Photo by: Proven Winners.

ENGLISH LAVENDER

Botanical name: L. angustifolia
Zones: 5-8
Bloom time: June to August
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Flower colors: Lavender, deep blue-purple, light pink, white

Despite its Mediterranean origin, English lavender was so named because it grows well in that country's cooler climate and has long been a staple in English herb gardens. The gray-green foliage and whorls of tiny flowers make this one of the most attractive lavenders in the garden. It’s one of the most cold-hardy varieties and the best for culinary use because of its low camphor content.

Pictured: Sweet Romance® lavender from Proven Winners

French lavender.

FRENCH LAVENDER

Botanical name: L. dentata
Zones: 8-11
Bloom time: Early summer to fall
Height: 36 inches and larger
Flower colors: Light purple

Also called fringed lavender, this showy variety is distinguished by narrow, finely-toothed leaves and compact flower heads topped by purple bracts. While the flowers have less aroma than English lavender, the fleshly leaves are more fragrant, with an intoxicating rosemary-like scent.

Spanish lavender.

SPANISH LAVENDER

Botanical name: L. stoechas
Zones: 8-11
Bloom time: Mid to late summer
Height: 18 to 24 inches
Flower colors: Deep purple

This variety is prized for its unusual pineapple-shaped blooms with colorful bracts, or “bunny ears,” that emerge from each flower spike. Although the flowers are not especially fragrant, the light-green leaves are very aromatic.

Lavandin.

LAVANDIN

Botanical name: L. ×intermedia
Zones: 5-11
Bloom time: Mid to late summer
Height: 24 to 30 inches
Flower colors: Dark violet, white

This popular hybrid combines the cold hardiness of English lavender with the heat tolerance of Portuguese lavender (L. latifolia). It typically starts blooming a few weeks later than most English lavenders and features long spikes of highly fragrant flowers. Although not considered edible (due to high camphor content), the flowers and foliage are often added to sachets and potpourris.

Although all lavender (Lavandula) is native to the Mediterranean, there are many varieties offering a vast selection of bloom times, colors, flower forms, and sizes. “Bloom time can vary drastically between different locations—where one lavender blooms at the start of June, only 20 miles away could be a very different outcome,” says Kristin Nielsen, president of the Lavender Association of Western Colorado.

Contrary to the name, not all lavenders are purple. Some hybrids come in other lovely pastel hues such as violet blue, rose, pale pink, white, and even yellow. The leaves can also vary in shape and color. To extend the bloom season as well as the color palette, consider planting several varieties.

GROWING LAVENDER

Growing lavender is easy and rewarding. Lavender can be grown in garden beds or in pots. To grow lavender successfully it needs well-drained soil and full sun. In arid climates lavender grows well as a perennial, but in humid climates it is often grown as an annual.

Learn how to grow lavender:

  1. Purchase healthy lavender plants for your garden
  2. Bring them home and water them if you can’t plant them immediately
  3. Select a location for your lavender that receives full sun
  4. Set the potted plants in different spots to decide where they look best
  5. Unpot, plant and water your lavender
  6. Provide consistent watering until the lavender becomes established
  7. Prune back your lavender each spring

PLANTING & WATERING TIPS

Planting Sweet Romance® Lavender

Learn more about Sweet Romance® Lavender.

Planting and soil: All lavender varieties require well-drained soil, especially during the winter months. To ensure good drainage, mix some sand or gravel into the soil before you plant lavender or grow the plants in mounds, raised beds, or on slopes. Instead of applying moisture-holding organic mulches, consider using rock or stone, especially in humid climates.

Justin Claibourn of Cowlitz Falls Lavender Company in Randle, Washington also recommends checking your soil’s pH: "If it’s too acidic you can kiss your lavender goodbye," he says. They will look great at first, but after a few years you may notice plants dying off randomly. Once the roots grow out into the native, un-amended soil trouble can begin. Most universities will check your pH relatively cheaply or some hardware stores for free. You can amend your soil with lime to better accommodate your lavender plants.

Watering: Cowlitz also advises against overwatering. "As a large-scale grower, we typically irrigate twice a year—that’s it," states Claibourn. Give your lavender a long soak to promote root growth, short and frequent watering cycles result in unhealthy roots that may rot.

Illustration by: Olga Akbarova

HOW TO PRUNE LAVENDER

Once established, lavender is very low-maintenance, but should be pruned annually. Plants that aren’t pruned have a tendency to get woody and sprawl, leaving a hole in the middle.

CLIMATE CONSIDERATIONS

Lavender is a perennial that will last for several years under the right conditions. Because of its Mediterranean origin, lavender loves blazing hot sun and dry soil. If your lavender doesn’t thrive, it’s most likely due to overwatering, too much shade, and high humidity levels.

English lavenders and their hybrids are the best varieties for cooler climates, since they are cold hardy north to Zone 5. However, they will grow best in a sheltered location with winter protection. For southern gardens in extremely hot, humid climates, Spanish and French lavenders are more tolerant of the moist conditions, but should be spaced apart to allow good air circulation.

If your winters are too harsh or your soil is heavy and dense, consider growing lavender in containers. They will flourish as long as they receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day and are planted in a high-quality potting mix with good drainage. In winter, bring your container plants indoors and place them in a sunny window. See these recipes for ideas of how to use lavender in containers.

Love plants? Learn more about how, when, & what to plant (plus more!) in our weekly newsletter!

POPULAR LAVENDER VARIETIES

Swipe to view slides

Buy Now

Photo by: Proven Winners

Sweet Romance® — Buy Now from Proven Winners
L. angustifolia

This variety grows 12 to 18 inches tall and blooms from early summer into fall. Its grey-green foliage is topped with rich purple flowers that are perfect for fresh or dried bouquets.

Buy Now

Photo by: Proven Winners

Phenomenal — Buy Now from Proven Winners
Lavandula x intermedia

Good drainage is critical for this fragrant mid- to late-summer bloomer. Grows 24 to 30 inches tall and 48 to 54 inches wide. Use in containers or garden beds and borders.

Photo by: Proven Winners

‘Hidcote’
L. angustifolia

This compact cultivar grows 12 to 18 inches tall and features slender flower spikes with tightly bunched dark purple-blue flowers and aromatic silvery foliage. Because of its low profile, you can use it as a tidy hedge plant around herb or perennial gardens or alongside walkways.

Photo courtesy: W. Atlee Burpee Company.

‘Grosso’
Lavandula 'Grosso'

This popular lavandin hybrid is the most fragrant of all lavenders and the one most often used for scenting perfumes and sachets. It produces an abundance of exceptionally large deep-violet flower spikes that stand well above the mounded silver-green foliage. Growing to 3 feet tall and wide, this heavy bloomer needs ample space to accommodate its vigorous growth habit.

Photo courtesy: W. Atlee Burpee Company.

‘Munstead’
L. angustifolia

This early-flowering English lavender is tolerant of tough growing conditions, including heat, humidity, and drought. It grows to a compact height of 12 to 18 inches and produces masses of lavender blue flowers from late spring well into summer. Use as a border accent, in mass plantings, and in containers.

Courtesy of photographer Doreen Wynja© for Monrovia.

'Provence'
Lavandula x intermedia

'Provence' is one of the tallest of the lavandin cultivars and gets its name from the area in southeastern France where it is commercially grown for the perfume industry. It grows to a height of 3 feet with heavily scented flowers and foliage. Pale purple blooms on upright stems appear from June through August.

Photo by: Pressebereich Dehner Garten-Center / Flickr.com.

‘Thumbelina Leigh’
L. angustifolia

True to its name, ‘Thumbelina Leigh’ is a dwarf English lavender ideal for containers, low borders, and rock gardens. It produces a profusion of strongly fragrant, violet-blue flower spikes that will bloom continuously from early to mid summer.

Photo courtesy: Kieft Seed.

‘Ellagance Ice’
L. angustifolia

Silvery white blooms with a light-blue blush distinguish this attractive English lavender cultivar. The large aromatic flower spikes bloom all summer and attract butterflies. A compact bushy form makes it an excellent choice for containers.

Photo by: Ngordon99 | Dreamstime.com.

‘Melissa’
L. angustifolia

Here’s an unusual pink-flowering English lavender that harmonizes beautifully with purple-flowering varieties. It has silvery foliage like other English lavenders but produces delicately scented light-pink flowers that gradually fade to white. It can grow to a height of 27 inches and blooms from late spring to early summer.

Photo by: HighCountryGardens.com.

'Buena Vista'
L. angustifolia

This rare twice-blooming English lavender cultivar flowers in late spring and again in September, with a few flower spikes appearing in mid-summer. It produces bi-colored purple and deep blue flowers on stems that fan out around the plant, so the form is not as tidy as some other cultivars. Grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches with a similar spread.

Photo by: Matt Purciel / Alamy Stock Photo.

'Royal Velvet'
L. angustifolia

'Royal Velvet' English Lavender is a real showstopper, producing velvety, richly colored navy and purple flower spikes on tall 2 to 2.5 foot stems. It blooms from late spring to early summer and is one of the best lavenders for use in dried arrangements because the flowers retain their gorgeous color.

DESIGN IDEAS FOR LAVENDER

IDEAS FOR USING LAVENDER IN THE KITCHEN

A member of the mint family, lavender has been used for centuries as a versatile, unexpected flavoring in both sweet and savory foods. English lavenders are the best varieties for culinary purposes, and both the buds and leaves can be used fresh or dried. Because the flavor of lavender is strong, use it sparingly so it won’t overpower your dishes. The buds are best harvested right before they fully open, when the essential oils are most potent.

For more ideas, check out these 15 lovely lavender recipes from Boulder Locavore.

READER QUESTIONS

Q:  My ‘Provençal’ lavender plants are a few years old and very leggy, which is not so good since they line a walkway. How can I get them back into shape? - Holly Dietor, Glen Arm, Md. 

A: All lavenders should be pruned once a year to keep them low and full. Since you haven’t pruned for a year or so, renovation will require several steps. Start this spring, when the plants begin to regrow. First, brush the branches with your fingers to knock off any dead foliage. Then, shorten half the old, gray stems — roughly every other one — to within a few inches of the base. If you see green buds sprouting near the base of an unpruned stem, cut to a quarter-inch above a bud. This thinning will admit more light, awakening buds that are low on remaining old stems. When green buds form near the base of these stems, cut the old wood back to the lowest emerging bud. By early summer, you will have shortened all the old stems to a few inches above the base. In midsummer, use hedge clippers or hand pruners to shape the plant into a symmetrical mound, like a shallow bowl turned upside down. Next year, you will have bushy lavender, which will need to be pruned only once. In zone 7, where you live, and northward, you can perform that annual haircut in early spring or in midsummer, right after heavy flowering. In milder climates, pruning should follow summer bloom.

Last updated: 1/19/2022

RELATED READING

Top 24 Purple Flowers for Your Garden

Cottage Garden Design

12 Mosquito Repellent Plants

20 Fragrant Flowering Plants

Flowers for a Bee-Friendly Garden

How to Keep Gophers Out!

15 plants that will drive mosquitoes away from the site. Photo - Botanichka

Even the warmest warm evening in the country can be ruined by annoying mosquitoes - constant companions of summer country life. The chemical industry has come up with hundreds of drugs that repel mosquitoes. In one way or another, they are all effective, but they have significant drawbacks - they are toxic to varying degrees, cause allergies, and in most cases are contraindicated in young children.

Lavender will drive mosquitoes away from the site. © bonnieheathestate

However, nature itself, having created mosquitoes (they are an important part of the food chain), also took care that they do not interfere with our lives. To do this, in her arsenal there are many plants that repel insects with their smell. In this publication, we will talk about the 15 most effective plants - "mosquito repellents" that can be successfully grown even in the middle lane.

1. Ageratum

Ageratum. © Mauro Nogueira

Many commercial mosquito repellants use coumarin, a substance secreted by the annual ageratum plant. Delicate decorative bushes of small size will decorate your flower beds (today varieties have already been bred not only with blue, but also with pink, white and lilac flowers) and will become a reliable protection against annoying insects. However, do not rub the skin with the leaves and flowers of ageratum. This may cause allergies. It is enough just to plant a flower (or better not one) in the sun or in partial shade. Ageratum is not a picky plant, it is content with poor soils.

2. Angustifolia lavender

Lavender. © Marc Novakowski

Very pretty perennial with needle-like leaves and delicate white, pink, blue or purple flowers. Lavender angustifolia winters well in the middle zone, is unpretentious in care, grows on poor soils and does not require watering. Lavender bushes are ideal in group plantings, it can also be grown in containers. A person can feel the pleasant smell of this plant only by touching it or cutting off the branches. But mosquitoes are more sensitive to its aroma and consider it disgusting for themselves. It has been noticed that mosquitoes do not fly in the immediate vicinity of lavender plantings (a meter and a half).

3. Peppermint

Peppermint. © Neil Goldstein

The well-known peppermint, a fragrant perennial up to 80 cm high, is one of the most popular medicinal plants grown in our gardens. It is also widely used in cooking and cosmetics. Since ancient times, our ancestors planted peppermint near windows and front doors to the house, in particular, and due to the fact that this plant repels mosquitoes well. The strongest menthol flavor comes from peppermint, which grows in loose fertile soils in sunny corners of the garden. But it can also grow in the shade, however, it will smell, and, accordingly, it will be weaker to repel mosquitoes.

4. Melissa officinalis (lemon mint)

Melissa officinalis (lemon mint). © 3g.163

Outwardly, lemon balm does not differ much from mint - it has a branched stem and grows a little higher in height. But its main difference is the smell. Melissa officinalis has a strong spicy aroma with light notes of lemon. But, like the menthol smell of peppermint, it is an excellent mosquito repellent. Melissa is ideal for sunny places in your site. It can also grow in partial shade.

5. Catnip or catnip

Catnip or catnip. © Amber Christian

One of the benefits of this mint is that it grows like a weed on its own. That is, it does not require any care. However, many gardeners consider catnip to be a weed. But we must give him credit: he does an excellent job of repelling mosquitoes. If you decide to rub your skin with the leaves or flowers of this plant to be safe, be careful - all the cats in the area will show you increased attention, because they just love catnip! The reason for this is the substance nepetalactone, which this plant is rich in. It is also the source of the lemon flavor characteristic of this variety of mint.

6. Lemon Monarda

Lemon Monarda. © Kristi Wood

Lemon Monarda belongs to the same family as Peppermint. But, unlike her, it is an annual plant. By the way, the only flyer in the Monard family. Its leaves and flowers contain essential oils that repel insects, including mosquitoes. And lemon monarda can be easily attributed to giant annuals. After all, in just one season it reaches 120 cm in height. Likes well-lit areas with loose fertile soil.

7.

Pennyroyal or Ombalo Pennyroyal or Ombalo. © Phil Smith

A perennial plant of the mint genus, reaching a height of 20-40 cm. It is easily distinguished from other types of mint by its compact size and creeping shape. It does not have the winter hardiness characteristic of most relatives, therefore, in central Russia, flea mint (another name for the plant) is grown as an annual. An indispensable ingredient in Georgian tkemali sauce and a good natural insect repellant. Not only mosquitoes, but also flies, fleas and moths.

8. Salvia officinalis

Salvia officinalis. © Sergeeva Inguza

Hippocrates called this plant "sacred grass". Its use in medicine is so widespread today that it seems that there are far fewer diseases that it does not cure than those that it does. Hippocrates did not write anything about the properties of sage to repel mosquitoes (at least we do not know about this), however, in gardening it has long been noticed that mosquitoes do not favor planting medicinal sage. More precisely, its tart aroma does not allow insects to determine the smell of a person who is near the plant. Salvia officinalis is a perennial plant. It grows in one place without a transplant for 8 years. Likes soil of neutral acidity and good light.

9. Ceylon citronella or lemongrass

Ceylon citronella or lemongrass. © technologychaoban

Ceylon citronella oils are often used to create mosquito repellents. The plant has a very strong lemon smell, which also does not repel mosquitoes so much as it does not allow these insects to smell the smell of a person nearby. Lemongrass is a perennial grass with a low level of winter hardiness. That is, in a temperate climate, it can only be grown as a tub culture, bringing the pot into the house or greenhouse along with the first significant cooling.

10. Fragrant Basil or Camphor Basil

Fragrant Basil or Camphor Basil. © flora cyclam

An annual herbaceous plant known as a kitchen spice to almost all inhabitants of the Earth. But few people know that the essential oil of this plant has been used in medicine for many years. For example, it is part of the well-known "Bronholitin" (it is prescribed for coughing). The name itself, "camphor basil", speaks of what substance this herb is rich in. Camphor repels ants, moths and mosquitoes.

11. Lemon verbena

Lemon verbena. © Marisa Esteban

Evergreen shrub with a large crown. In the people it is considered a magical plant that can protect against the evil eye and damage. But today, of course, it is more used in cooking, cosmetology and medicine than in the rites of white magic. It has a pleasant smell that mosquitoes do not want to be friends with. It also repels other insects - a dried sprig of verbena is often placed in a closet as a prophylaxis against moths.

12. Marigolds

Marigolds. © Natureluvah2

Bright and colorful marigolds are traditionally used in our flower beds. Very often they can be seen in the beds. Adherents of organic farming claim that these flyers effectively protect cultivated plants from many harmful insects and other pests. Their smell is so rich and specific that it repels not only mosquitoes, but also some people who simply cannot stand it. But in vain, because these are surprisingly decorative and unpretentious flowers.

13. Wormwood

Wormwood. © Top Remedii Naturiste

Another herb with a very strong odor that mosquitoes don't like. Wormwood is a perennial herbaceous plant of silver color, reaching up to 1.5 meters in height. One of the oldest medicinal plants known to mankind. It grows freely on forest edges, along roads, in neglected areas. Cultivated commercially for essential oil. Often found in gardens and gardens as a weed. However, many gardeners today, in order not to follow her into the forest, grow wormwood specially in their area. In addition to its medicinal properties, it protects cultivated species from many pests and diseases.

14. Pontic sagebrush

Pontic sagebrush. © Christophe Ramonet

Unlike wormwood, this plant is very decorative. Therefore, it can often be found in gardens as an element of various landscape compositions. It is also widely used in medicine and as a natural remedy for mosquitoes.

15. Common tansy

Common tansy. © vtpeacenik

Perennial herbaceous plant of the forest and forest-steppe zone. It quickly clogs cultivated meadows and pastures, therefore, it is necessary to grow tansy in the garden very carefully. This poisonous plant is often used in folk medicine for the treatment and prevention of various ailments. It has a characteristic pungent odor that repels mosquitoes.

So far, we have everything about plants - "mosquito repellents". If you know others, write about them in the comments or on our Forum. We will be very grateful!

❀ TOP-6 plants from mosquitoes in the country

Nothing can so darken the summer vacation in the country as mosquito bites. We try to protect ourselves from these insects by using many devices, but none of them gives one hundred percent guarantee that you will remain "whole" on a summer evening. But what if you plant plants in the garden that will “ruin the appetite” of bloodsuckers? Perhaps this will increase our chances of making our stay more comfortable in the evening hours. Let's choose repellent plants together and think about how to fit them into the landscape of the garden.

Elderberry

Aurea elderberry

Black-leaved elderberry

Elderberry

The alkaloids and essential oils contained in elderberry leaves and shoots not only provide protection from insects, but also protect the plant itself from pests.

Elderberry genus (Sambucus) from the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) in nature lives in mixed forests, edges, on damp river banks and roadsides, which indicates a moisture-loving and at the same time hardy character. Three types of elder are mainly used in horticulture - black elder (Sumbucus nigra), Canadian elder (S. canadensis) and red elder, or racemose (S. racemosa).

Elderberry has two decorative periods - the first in May, when it blooms with fragrant yellow-white flowers collected in corymbs. And the second wave of its charm begins in August and continues until frost, when the bush is covered with black-purple clusters of small berries against the backdrop of bright foliage.

Growing conditions. The plant can grow in almost any soil, withstanding excess moisture and shade. Prefers loamy, slightly acidic soils with a pH level of 6–6.5. However, yellow-leaved and variegated varieties will show their decorative qualities better in sunny places. Elder will put up with all the conditions that you can offer her, except for the drought.

Garden use. Elderberry will be able to take its rightful place in the garden, on the banks of the reservoir, in rocky gardens. Elderberry is plastic and very suitable for creating a hedge that will be consistently decorative throughout the season, changing the flowering period to beautiful clusters of delicious berries.
Useful decoctions are prepared from black elderberry flowers, which have antibacterial and diaphoretic properties, help with colds. Elderberries make healthy and tasty dessert dishes - jams, jellies, tinctures, wine, etc.

Wormwood

Wormwood in a garden landscape

Steller's Wormwood

Wormwood contains a huge range of specific substances, namely: absinthine, tannins, malic, succinic and ascorbic acids, phytoncides, essential oil. Therefore, wormwood has a well-recognized characteristic bitter aroma. It can be used as a repellent against harmful insects, as well as to interrupt the smell of cesspools and latrines.

Wormwood (Artemísia), as a genus of herbaceous or semi-shrub plants, belongs to the Asteraceae family. This is a steppe plant, and it needs appropriate growing conditions.

Growing conditions. Wormwood should be planted in sunny areas, given that this plant grows well on poor, dry soils characteristic of wastelands. Favorable for her will be sandy drained soil. The plant is resistant to droughts, but excess moisture, especially in cool weather, can be fatal for it. In order for the bushes to be compact and keep the desired shape, they should be cut and rejuvenated annually, especially since they tolerate it well.

Garden use. Until now, only traditional healers were engaged in intentional cultivation of wormwood, and summer residents, without hesitation, uprooted it like a weed, and in vain. The lacy foliage of silver sagebrush will add spicy bitterness and decorativeness for the whole season. Place plants in groups, so luxurious silver crowns look more impressive than in single plantings.

All sorts of roses will serve as good partners for these plants - wormwood gives them a new sound. You can also create a fragrant garden if you plant plants such as lavender, sage, thyme next to the wormwood.

Marigolds

Marigolds in the garden

Marigolds in the garden

Marigold flowers are saturated with phytoncides and essential oils, which gives the "solar flowers" a specific aroma that repels some pests and improves soil composition.
Marigolds can be considered universal flowers in every sense of the word. They have a spectacular appearance and medicinal properties, are used in cooking, and are also good helpers in growing garden crops.

The aerial parts of marigolds contain biologically active substances that have antiviral activity, that is, they are detrimental to many strains of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Therefore, marigold petals are recommended to be added in small quantities to compotes or teas.

These medicinal drinks help to activate metabolism, help to cope with respiratory diseases and improve the digestive functions of the body.

Garden use. Marigolds can be combined with partner plants such as blue ageratum, amaranth, brachik, blue, white and crimson verbena, lobelia, as well as salvia, celosia, zinnia and cineraria, which will make your flower garden even brighter and more noticeable with their contrasting color. These plants go well with marigolds in color, and, importantly, they will feel great in a sunny place.

Marigolds look spectacular both in flowerbeds and in hanging pots, balcony boxes and in ordinary vegetable gardens among cabbages and potatoes. Marigolds are often planted in the garden among cabbages, next to carrots and near currant bushes. And this is done not only for aesthetic purposes, but rather for sanitary and protective purposes.

Lavender

Lavender in the garden

Lavender

Lavender exudes an attractive pleasant aroma that helps to calm and relax, and repel blood-sucking insects. Having a positive effect on the nervous system, it is useful for migraines, excitability, insomnia and stress.

The Mediterranean is considered to be the native home of lavender: about 30 of its species grow there, while in our area, due to climatic conditions, only one species can grow - narrow-leaved lavender. The trademark of lavender is not only its smell, but also a special shade of lilac-violet color. Although now you can find varieties of lavender in non-standard white, purple and pink colors.

Growing conditions. Lavender grows well on poor, sandy soils unsuitable for cultivation of the bulk of cultivated plants. It can grow on alkaline and soils with an environmental reaction of 6.5 to 8.0. The most beautiful bushes grow in the conditions of the scorching sun. Partial shade is also suitable, but the intensity of flowering will decrease. This plant is drought tolerant and yet give it generous watering during extended periods of drought.

Every year the lavender is cut almost in half, leaving the woody part intact. It does not require shelter for the winter, but especially caring gardeners can cover it with mulch, for which it will only be grateful. Even if the lavender is severely damaged by frost, it quickly recovers from root shoots in the new season.

So that the "lavender mood" does not leave you under any circumstances, you can make an aroma bag from a dried bunch of lavender. It retains an intense smell for more than one year. Also, if the windows of your kitchen face south, you can easily place a “aroma flower garden” of lavender in your pot. And then you will always have fresh lavender on hand for making fragrant tea.

Garden use. Lavender blooms from July to October, and the rest of the time it is silvered with neat leaves. A large array of lavender looks simply impressive. And there is no more suitable plant for a beautiful border or rocky hill. Lavender is the first "closer of the retinue" to the rose, especially with the nostalgic flower shape. It also looks great next to garden hydrangea, yarrow, surrounded by herbs and perennials.

Pelargonium

Pelargonium on the balcony

Pelargonium

We are used to seeing this flower in pots on home windowsills, but during the warm season it can easily be sent to the garden for summer holidays. According to the composition, pelargonium is a unique plant with antibacterial properties, its leaves contain biologically active substances - starch, sucrose, vitamins, flavonoids. The characteristic aroma of the plant gives the presence of essential oil.

Pelargonium (Pelargonium) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the geranium family, from 30 to 80 cm tall, has about 280 species. Pelargonium flowers are diverse in color and shape, collected in umbrellas or shields. Foliage decorative with a strong smell.

Growing conditions. When planting in the garden, consider the following factors: the place should be sunny, the soil acidity should be neutral, and the composition should be light, with the addition of peat and river sand. For rapid growth and a large number of pelargonium flowers, top dressing with minerals and organic substances is needed. So, during the period of rapid growth, it is necessary to use liquid fertilizers, during flowering, phosphorus and potassium should be added, to obtain a large number of leaves - nitrogen.

All summer long, bright pelargonium can decorate flower beds, ridges, containers at the front entrance area, balcony boxes, and with the onset of autumn, calmly return to spend the winter on the home window sill. It can also be used in cooking, adding to salads, soups and meat dishes. If you put the flowers in canned jam or compote, protection against fungal mold will be provided.

Yarrow

Yarrow

Yarrow in the garden

Yarrow with cereals

Yarrow is an excellent insect repellant. Just by planting it near a bench in a recreation area, you can scare away most of the annoying mosquitoes and flies. By releasing phytoncides, yarrow stimulates plant growth and protects them from certain pests. But on the contrary, there will be more bees and butterflies on the site, because this plant is a noble honey plant.

The genus Achillea of ​​the aster family (Asteraceae) includes more than 100 species. According to some nomenclatures, this figure approaches two hundred. The genus combined perennial rhizomatous plants with erect stems that end in basket inflorescences and feathery felt leaves.

Growing conditions. Grows well on the poorest and even sandy soils, in conditions of moisture and light deficiency. You can give him the most sun-exposed areas on which other plants are “baked”. This is a very winter and frost-resistant plant, it will not require any measures in preparation for winter. Yarrow is prone to self-sowing and active development of nearby territories.

Garden use. The lowest growing species and varieties are included in the mixtures of alternative flowering lawns. They will also be good in rockeries and in the foreground of a mixborder, in rocky gardens, flowerbeds, flowerbeds and in a group with perennials. From an array created from tall varieties, excellent backgrounds are obtained for other plants. And the best place, which is considered to be his by right, is the pharmacy and spicy-aromatic gardens. Yarrow can extract sulfur, potassium and calcium and many other trace elements from the soil, which is why yarrow infusion is used as a biofertilizer.

Scheme of planting mosquito repellent plants in a recreation area

You can decorate a recreation area with mosquito repellent plants using their diverse range. We present one of the design options using plants such as yellow-leaved elder Aurea, monarda, yarrow in three colors, lavender, thyme and Steller's wormwood.

Beauty will save not only the world, but also the dacha from mosquitoes! Creative gardeners will emerge victorious from any situation - even in the fight against mosquitoes.

Learn more