The sound of mosquitoes can be annoying, and these insects pose serious health risks.
Scientists at Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington have shown that mosquitoes can transmit diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
While many people use mosquito sprays, these can be unsafe, especially for children.
A study in 2002 found that children can be sensitive to chemicals in insect spray due to their small body size and immature immune systems.
To enhance your garden’s natural pest resistance and avoid chemical sprays, you can grow plants that repel mosquitoes.
Here are 25 of the best plants that can help keep mosquitoes away naturally.
#1. Citronella Geraniums (Pelargonium citrosum)
Citronella Geraniums typically reach 2-3 feet in height with finely divided, lemon-scented leaves and small pink flowers.
They thrive in well-drained soil and partial sunlight. Their essential oil contains citronellal and geraniol, which act as a potent mosquito repellent.
#2. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
If you love fragrances, grow lavender at the entrance.
It has purple flowers and silver-green foliage, typically stands 1-3 feet tall. This plant thrives in well-drained soil and full sunlight.
Lavender’s essential oil contains linalool and eucalyptol, which effectively repel mosquitoes.
#3. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
It’s interesting to look at Marigold every morning! Marigold displays vibrant orange and yellow blooms on sturdy stems, reaching 6-36 inches in height.
They thrive in well-drained soil and full sunlight. Their pungent scent, due to compounds like limonene and pyrethrin, naturally repels mosquitoes.
#4. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil features lush green foliage and tiny white or purple flowers on stems ranging from 12 to 24 inches in height. It thrives in well-drained soil and ample sunlight.
Its essential oil, rich in eugenol and citronellal, serves as a natural mosquito repellent.
#5. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint has tall stems with serrated leaves and clusters of small purple flowers, reaching 1-3 feet in height. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial sunlight.
Its essential oil contains menthol, limonene, and pulegone, which are potent mosquito repellents. Peppermint also finds use in culinary, medicinal, and aromatic applications.
#6. Allium (Allium sativum)
Allium features tall, slender stems topped with spherical clusters of small white or purple flowers, varying in height from 6 inches to 3 feet.
This plant thrives in well-drained soil and full sunlight. Its pungent aroma, due to allicin, effectively repels mosquitoes.
#7. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Have you ever considered using rosemary to kill mosquitos? Yes. This plant with needle-like leaves and clusters of small blue, purple, or white flowers can do it.
Rosemary grows up to 6 feet tall and flourishes in well-drained soil and full sunlight.
Its essential oil, rich in cineole and camphor, acts as a natural mosquito repellent.
#8. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip, with its square stems, heart-shaped leaves, and clusters of small white or lavender flowers, reaches 2-3 feet in height. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sunlight.
Nepetalactone, found in catnip, is about 10 times more effective than DEET in repelling insects.
#9. Garlic (Allium sativum)
The next summer, try to grow garlic. Garlic has slender stems with long, narrow leaves and clusters of small white flowers, growing up to 2 feet tall.
It thrives in well-drained soil and full sunlight. Its pungent aroma, attributed to allicin, effectively repels mosquitoes.
#10. Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
Does your house own any lemon verbena? Its essential oil, rich in citral, effectively repels mosquitoes.
Lemon Verbena features slender stems adorned with lance-shaped leaves and clusters of small white or pale purple flowers, growing up to 6 feet tall.
This plant prefers well-drained soil and full sunlight. Put it in outdoor space.
#11. Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)
Geranium displays lobed leaves and clusters of colorful flowers, ranging from red and pink to white and purple, varying in height from 6 inches to 3 feet.
Thriving in well-drained soil and full to partial sunlight, geranium’s essential oil contains citronellol and geraniol, which discard mosquitoes.
#12. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)
If you love arranging flowers, you are familiar with eucalyptus.
This plant boasts tall, slender stems with lance-shaped leaves and clusters of small, white flowers, growing up to 200 feet tall.
Thriving in well-drained soil and full sunlight, eucalyptus essential oil, rich in citronellal and piperitone, effectively get rid of mosquitoes.
#13. Mint (Mentha spp.)
Are you interested in Mint? Mint features square stems with toothed leaves and clusters of small white or purple flowers, typically growing up to 2 feet tall.
Growing in moist, well-drained soil and partial sunlight, mint’s essential oil contains menthol and pulegone, which act as natural anti-mosquito.
#14. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Lemongrass has tall, slender stalks with long, blade-like leaves and feathery clusters of small, white or pale yellow flowers, typically growing 3-6 feet tall.
Living in well-drained soil and full sunlight, lemongrass’s essential oil, rich in citronellal and geraniol, attacks mosquitos.
#15. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.)
Chrysanthemum showcases bushy foliage with lobed leaves and an array of vibrant, daisy-like flowers in various colors, typically growing up to 3 feet tall.
Living in well-drained soil and full sunlight, chrysanthemums bring warm space and contain pyrethrin compounds that repel mosquitos.
#16. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Looking for an effective way to kill mosquitos? A sage pot indoor containing camphor and borneol, acts as a natural mosquito repellent.
Sage features woody stems with gray-green, velvety leaves and spikes of purple, blue, or white flowers, typically growing 1-2 feet tall.
It develops in well-drained soil and full sunlight.
#17. Thyme (Thymus spp.)
Thyme shows woody stems with small, aromatic leaves and clusters of tiny pink, purple, or white flowers, growing up to 12 inches tall.
Thriving in well-drained soil and full sunlight, thyme’s essential oil, rich in thymol and carvacrol, repel mosquitos.
Beyond pest control, thyme is prized for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses.
#18. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
Pennyroyal has the nickname “mosquito plant”. Its essential oil, containing compounds like pulegone, effectively removes mosquitoes
This plant boasts low-growing stems with small, oval-shaped leaves and clusters of tiny lavender or pink flowers, typically growing up to 12 inches tall.
It lives in moist, well-drained soil and partial sunlight.
#19. Floss Flower (Ageratum houstonianum)
Floss Flower presents compact, bushy foliage with small, fuzzy leaves and clusters of fluffy, blue, pink, or white flowers, typically reaching heights of 6-24 inches.
It thrives in well-drained soil and partial to full sunlight, containing coumarin compounds that naturally repel mosquitoes.
#20. Variegated Plectranthus (Plectranthus coleoides)
Variegated Plectranthus displays trailing stems with variegated green and white leaves, forming lush cascades.
Growing up to 12 inches tall, it prefers well-drained soil and partial shade.
While it doesn’t have specific compounds for mosquito repellence, its lush foliage helps reduce standing water, creating a barrier.
#21. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
American Beautyberry showcases arching branches with ovate, serrated leaves and clusters of small, pink to lavender berries, growing up to 6 feet tall.
Thriving in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, its dense foliage helps deter mosquitoes.
#22. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Don’t underestimate fennel! Its aromatic presence helps deter mosquitoes.
Fennel features tall, feathery stems with finely divided leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers, growing up to 5 feet tall.
It grows in well-drained soil and full sunlight, then consider planting it in your garden.
#23. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Wormwood exhibits tall, woody stems with silvery-gray, deeply lobed leaves and small, yellow flowers, typically growing 2-4 feet tall.
Preferring well-drained soil and full sunlight, wormwood contains thujone, which repels mosquitoes.
Burning dried wormwood or placing it in sachets can help repel mosquitoes effectively.
#24. Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
Your garden will attract more pollinators if has bee balm.
Bee Balm displays tall, square stems with aromatic, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of vibrant red, pink, or purple flowers, growing up to 3 feet tall.
Preferring moist, well-drained soil and full sunlight, bee balm contains thymol and carvacrol, which deter mosquitoes.
#25. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana features dense clusters of small, brightly colored flowers atop woody stems, growing up to 6 feet tall.
Thriving in well-drained soil and full sunlight, lantana contains compounds like lantadene, which remove mosquitoes.
Growing these plants can help keep mosquitoes at bay while adding beauty to your garden. Follow us for more tips on gardening and natural pest control.
