8 Super Effective Mosquito Repellent Plants that prevent bites
Mosquito Repellent Plants
You may already know that the active ingredients in most of the best mosquito repellents and sprays are also found in plants. Mosquito repellents play an important role in protecting you from mosquito bites and other blood-feeding insects.
Lavender as a mosquito repellent - it smells beautiful!
There is a misconception about mosquito repellents that they kill the mosquitoes, but this is not the case. Mosquitoes are attracted to the human body due to our pungent body odor; mosquito repellents are used to mask this odor, essentially masking our body as a source of blood. Only female mosquitoes actually bite, this is because they require the protein and iron in blood to develop eggs during pregnancy.
Generally, mosquito repellents can be split into two types: natural, and chemical based. Though both can be effective for providing us the required protection, the natural repellents are often favored because they are prepared using ingredients which are naturally found in plants, and can, therefore, be considered to be less harsh.
It is important to note that you need to rub the leaves of these plants, breaking them up somewhat, in order to activate their mosquito repellent properties.
What’s more amazing? You can simply grow these 8 mosquito repellent plants at home, in your garden or on your patio:
Citronella Grass
Citronella is the one of the most commonly used ingredients in mosquito repellents, but many people are not aware that it is a plant. This perennial clumping grass is known for its strong aroma and it’s this aroma that’s behind its use in the best mosquito repellents. You can plant Citronella in your garden or in pots. Citronella is extremely easy to grow as it requires low maintenance and can withstand most weather conditions.
Basil
Basil is a herb that acts as a good mosquito repellent. Its pungent smell keeps the mosquitoes and other pests at a bay. So, why not plant some Basil? Add this herb to make your dishes delicious and keep all the harmful mosquitoes away, it’s a win-win. It can be planted in a pot on the kitchen windowsill as well as in the garden. Basil needs to be kept damp, it grows best with moderate amounts of sun.
Catnip
Catnip is notorious for the way it affects cats – causing them to become quite excitable! But did you know that researchers suggest it is 10 times more potent at repelling mosquitoes than DEET? Catnip is really easy to plant and grows better in a moist area. If you have cats in your home, then they will love this herb. However, please do consider an alternative plant if you are not comfortable with the idea of your feline friend eating some and behaving ‘odd’.
Horsemint
Horsemint is a perennial plant which is about as effective as Citronella. It may also be known as BeeBalm. It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant and shade-tolerant plant that grows up to 2 to 3 feet in height. Horsemint does well in sandy, dry conditions and can also tolerate soil with a high salt content, making it a great choice for those that live by the coast.
It isn’t as hardy as some of the other mosquito repelling plants on this page, so you may wish to grow it indoors if you live in a cooler climate. If you are able to plant Horsemint outside, you’ll be pleased to know that it will attract bees and butterflies to your garden.
Lavender
Another plant that acts as a great mosquito repellent is Lavender. The vibrant purple color flowers of this popular plant will not only make your garden look beautiful, it also repels mosquitoes. The natural essential oils found in lavender are responsible for its amazing aroma and its effective mosquito repellency.
Good drainage and full sun are the recommended conditions for lavender, enabling thriving growth in warmer areas. Once fully grown you can harvest the flowers and use it for making herbal tea, use it in cooking and also as a relaxing aid to help sleep – Why not put some in a cotton bag and place inside your pillow?
Peppermint
Peppermint is a notorious herb and much loved in sweets, ice creams, and even toothpaste. But did you know it can be used as a mosquito repellent?
Most insects hate the smell and taste that peppermint produces, so planting it in the outer areas of your house will keep the mosquitoes uninvited. Along with being used as a mosquito repellent, it can be added to many food items for having a delicious taste, how about some herbal peppermint tea?
Ageratum
Ageratum could be another great choice of mosquito repellent for yards and patios. Also known as Flossflowers, this plant emits a strong smell which the mosquitoes find offensive. The main component that makes ageratum a good mosquito repellent is Coumarin.
This ornamental plant reaches up to the height of 8-18” and can be grown in the ground or a pot. Different types of Ageratum vary on the basis of their flower colors which are blue, violet, white and pink. You can enhance the attractiveness of your yard by selecting the ageratum with different color flowers.
Marigolds
Marigolds not only make your garden attractive but also provide you full protection from mosquitoes. They can be grown in pots on the patio, or directly in the garden. Its mosquito repelling properties are due to a compound called Pyrethrum. You may wish to plant marigolds near your doors and windows, as this will prevent mosquitoes from entering and provide a lovely scent.
We sell a selection of natural mosquito repellent plants and herbs as live plants or seed:
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