Mosquitoes are not just annoying and nasty pests but are also responsible for the spread of many diseases. There are several ways to get rid of them especially by using mosquito repellent but chemical-laden mosquito repellents can cause allergies.
Then why would you want to douse yourself with those chemicals when you can get rid of the mosquitoes naturally by potting some plants in your garden or inside the house that acts as a natural mosquito repellent
These fragrant plants emit Fragrances and natural compounds that act as a natural mosquito repellent.
Are you wondering which plant has such mosquito repellent quality? Which plant can keep you away from these nasty insects?
We have curated a list of seven plants you must have to keep away mosquitoes naturally. So let’s dive into the blog below and find out the 7 plants that can be used as mosquito repellent.
Plants that can be used as mosquito repellent
Marigold
As well as being full of color, and adding beauty to the garden, marigolds possess a distinctive smell that repels mosquitoes as well as many other garden pests away. This feature of the plant makes it a popular option for companion planting. Apart from that, they are appealing to bees.
The essential oil of the flower has a similar effect to DEET which is used in many insect repellents. This is can be used as an effective mosquito repellent.
Marigolds are quite compact in growing, which makes them ideal for growing as annuals in the garden as well as containers.
It shows that they can be moved around where needed if planted in pots. If you want to mosquito away, you just need to dot the pots around sitting areas and among your kitchen garden.
Lemongrass
Lemon grass is a nutritious, healthy plant with mosquito repellent quality. The strong lemon scent of lemongrass contains high levels of the bug-repelling compound in a more appetizing way. So it will be effective to repel mosquitoes.
To use this plant, you just need to crush the leaves and rub on bare skin to ward off biting bugs.
Tall, tropical grasses, lemongrass will only survive as a perennial plant in frost-free zones; so those who live in colder climates than usual will need to keep these plants in pots and bring them inside when temperatures drop in the fall.
Basil
An best indoor or outdoor option that also can add to your culinary arsenal is basil which is one of the most mosquito repellent plants you can grow.
If you’re not looking to crush any plants and apply to your skin, then basil is your best bet
Being one of the most pungent culinary herbs, this ‘set and forget’ plant named basil gives off a strong scent that deters both mosquitoes and flies and keep them away.
Basil is very easy to grow and take care of. It simply needs a sunny spot and a close eye on watering to grow.
However, basil can’t grow in too much sunlight. It needs a bit of shade from the scorching sun, so you need to protect it if the summers are too hot.
Mint
Mint is one of the top-picked plants for the garden as well as being one of the best mosquito repellent plants. Enriched with nutritional values, there are several nutritional benefits of mint.
The scent of the plant is too heavy that repels mosquitoes away. Apart from that it is easy to grow and can also be grown indoors, making a nice addition to any kitchen.It makes mint as a must added herb to garden
With the sharp scent, mint is also highly effective at deterring pests and mosquitoes.
Mint is referred to as a highly versatile herb with a wide variety of culinary and medicinal usages, and is best prized for being a digestive aid.
Lavender
One of the most beautiful and effective mosquito repellent plants is lavender which is so fragrant that you don’t even have to crush it and rub it onto your skin for it to work.
Lavender is very easy to grow. Being a Mediterranean plant, they prefer to thrive in warm, dry summers. If you want to enjoy their heavenly fragrance and bug-busting properties in cold climates, consider growing them indoors or near your sitting area. .
Lavender grows well in USDA zones 5-9. The plant does have a tendency to get leggy after a few years so it is suggested to know how to prune lavender to keep it looking its best.
Rosemary
Being a beautiful plant having high fragrance, the Rosemary is highly attractive to bees and other precious pollinators. So the aromatic rosemary is far less appealing to mosquitoes. It can also make a delicious addition to a Sunday roast.
Rosemary is much more effective as a mosquito repellent when it is burnt than using it by crushing. Burning the plant will release its essential oils that are used to repel mosquitoes.
So try throwing a few sprigs to the burning grill or firepit when entertaining in the garden. It should help to deter the blood suckers from you.
Rosemary can be grown from cuttings or seeds. Being a Mediterranean plant, rosemary is best suited to thrive in USDA zones 7-9, but you can also grow it as an annual or bring it indoors in colder regions.
Rosemary prefers to thrive in the temperature of up to 80°F, so you may need to cover it with a shade if the weather is too hot.
Citronella grass
Widely used as a natural bug and mosquito repellent, citronella oil is generally derived from citronella grass – or Cymbopogon nardus. While highly effective when used as sprays and candles, the oils are generally not released when the plant is simply growing in garden
Apart from this, citronella grass is a very popular option for growing around seating areas and entrances to homes to make a beautiful appearance and it is believed to help in deter mosquitoes, as well as other pests such as whitefly.
Citronella grass can be used by crushing and applied topically to repel mosquitoes. The plants need higher temperatures to grow, so they need to be grown indoors if the weather is too cold.
Being native to tropical areas of Asia, these citronella grass can be grown as a perennial plant in USDA zones 10-12, although some gardeners are able to grow it in zone 9. It typically reaches upto heights of around 6ft.
Conclusion
As you read the article this far, you might be aware of the some plants that you can grow in your garden to repel mosquitoes or that acts as a mosquito repellent.
Then why are you waiting for ?
Bring a mosquito repellent plant from the above options as per your wish and keep the mosquitoes away.
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