We Found 14 Plants That Repel Mosquitos Like MAGIC
House Beutiful May 28, 2025
Lifestyle
House Beutiful May 28, 2025
Lifestyle
Mosquitoes are the kind of annoyance that can deter you from spending time outdoors in the evening. Even if you've used bug spray and lit a citronella candle, it seems that few things can really repel the pesky bugs. However, just like certain plants can deter hungry deer, there are a few varieties that can protect you from getting bitten this summer. Plants that repel mosquitoes are often fragrant varieties like herbs; basil, mint, and lavender are all herbs that mosquitoes are known to avoid.
Of course, there is no such thing as a truly mosquito-proof plan. That said, Emma Grace Crumbley, an Entomologist at Mosquito Squad Plus, says that more concentrated versions of these plants, like essential oils or scents, can be very effective against these bugs. “While repellency varies from pest to pest, a few plants repel a wide variety of pests. Lavender, rosemary, basil, mint, garlic, sage, or lemon thyme are all fragrant even without being crushed, so adding a significant amount of these plants to problem areas of your home and garden may prevent some pest problems,” she explains. “Clove, cedar, and lemongrass have consistently shown repellent properties across scientific trials for mosquitoes.”
A great low-maintenance option, using plants to repel mosquitoes can provide an extra level of protection against bugs outdoors. While there's no complete solution using plants, below we're breaking down 14 incredible plants that can help you repel mosquitoes.
Fragrant and fast-growing, thyme is a great herb to keep in your garden if you're an avid home cook. When planted densely, thyme is a natural mosquito repellent. This plant is adaptable and hardy, but may be sensitive to colder temperatures.
Cedar trees are known for their fragrant wood and foliage, which naturally deters pests like mosquitoes. Unlike the other plants on this list, cedar is a towering tree, providing shade and coverage to your yard that container plants like herbs cannot.
A common ingredient in baking, cloves are another fragrant plant known to repel mosquitoes. Ideal for warmer climates, clove trees thrive in lots of sunlight and high temperatures. The unique red blooms will add a stunning pop of color against the greenery.
Basil is a heat-loving plant that can thrive both outdoors and on a kitchen windowsill (great if you're a windows-open kind of person). Be sure to provide plenty of water and don't forget to prune every once and a while to promote new growth.
Lavender is a stunning (and sweet-smelling) way to line a front walkway and protect your guests from pests as they come and go. This plant is also a great way to add vertical height to your garden beds. Grow it either in the ground or in containers, just be sure to provide full to partial sunlight.
While technically a weed, mint is an incredibly hardy and adaptable herb that can grow almost anywhere. Place this plant out of direct sunlight to avoid any scorching, it can tolerate up to full shade. You'll also love being able to walk out and pluck a couple of leaves when you need them for drinks or desserts.
Ideal for larger yards, lemongrass is an effective mosquito deterrent for your entire yard. Ornamental grasses are great for filling in blank spots and gaps in your garden beds. This frost-tolerant perennial will come back year after year for low-maintenance greenery.
Citronella, the classic mosquito-repelling plant, is great when grown in individual pots near doorways or in porch corners to create a border around gathering areas. In warm climates, citronella will regrow each season, but you can also grow this plant as an annual if your winters are harsh.
Use catnip as a garden filler or in smaller pots nestled in with your other houseplants to keep mosquitoes at bay. The purple blooms are great for adding color to your garden beds in late summer when most perennials have finished for the year. If you have cats, you can dry the leaves to give them a treat.
Great for home cooking and ground cover, sage is a cool-weather-loving plant that is often grown as a perennial. While it doesn't love the scalding summer heat, sage can be grown as an annual or brought indoors until the weather dips again.
According to D-Bug Pest Control, floss flowers produce a chemical that is commonly used in pest repellants. Plant them in rows for a vibrant pop of color. Well-draining soil and ample sun are all you need for this low-maintenance bloom.
Chives, along with their cousin, allium, boast bright purple blooms that are also great for repelling mosquitoes. While rabbits are a fan of these tasty plants, the scent is known to keep bugs at bay. As a hardy perennial, chives are known to come back year after year with minimal maintenance.
Fast-growing and best suited to cooler springs and summers, cilantro is a great herb to have on hand for both cooking and repelling pests. Let the plant dry out and flower in order to harvest the delicious coriander seeds at the end of the life cycle.
Rosemary does great when planted in small pots along a porch ledge, dinner table, or windowsill for easy access while cooking. As a bonus, it'll create a natural mosquito barrier. If you live in a colder climate, there are plenty of cold-hardy rosemary varieties that can survive through fall into the winter months (down to 20 degrees).
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