15 Outside Plants That Repel Mosquitoes Naturally

Outside Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Are you tired of pesky mosquitoes ruining your outdoor activities? Instead of using chemical insecticides, why not try repelling mosquitoes naturally with outside plants? Not only are they effective, but these plants also add beauty and fragrance to your garden.

In this article, we'll explore 15 outside plants that can repel mosquitoes naturally. From citronella to lavender, there's a plant for every type of garden.

1. Citronella

Citronella is one of the most popular mosquito-repelling plants. It contains citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol, which are known to repel mosquitoes. Citronella plants grow best in warm, sunny locations with well-draining soil. You can grow them in containers or in the ground, and they can reach up to 6 feet tall.

How to Grow Citronella

To grow citronella, plant it in well-draining soil and water it regularly. Citronella plants need at least six hours of sunlight each day. You can also plant them in pots and move them indoors during the winter months.

How to Use Citronella

Citronella plants can be planted around your patio or outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

2. Lavender

Lavender is a beautiful plant that adds fragrance and color to your garden. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which are known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Lavender

Lavender grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Lavender can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Lavender

You can plant lavender around your outdoor seating area or crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

3. Catnip

Catnip is a member of the mint family and is known for its ability to repel mosquitoes. It contains nepetalactone, which is a natural mosquito repellent.

How to Grow Catnip

Catnip grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Catnip can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Catnip

You can plant catnip around your outdoor seating area or crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

4. Marigolds

Marigolds are beautiful flowers that add color to your garden. They're also a natural mosquito repellent. Marigolds contain pyrethrum, which is a natural insecticide.

How to Grow Marigolds

Marigolds grow best in full sun and well-draining soil. They need to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater them. Marigolds can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Marigolds

You can plant marigolds around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the flowers and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

5. Rosemary

Rosemary is a popular herb that's used in cooking. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Rosemary contains rosmarinic acid, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Rosemary

Rosemary grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Rosemary can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Rosemary

You can plant rosemary around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

6. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and is known for its lemony fragrance. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Lemon balm contains citronellal, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Lemon Balm

Lemon balm grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Lemon balm can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Lemon Balm

You can plant lemon balm around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

7. Basil

Basil is a popular herb that's used in cooking. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Basil contains eugenol, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Basil

Basil grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Basil can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Basil

You can plant basil around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

8. Peppermint

Peppermint is a member of the mint family and is known for its cooling sensation. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Peppermint contains menthol, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Peppermint

Peppermint grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Peppermint can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Peppermint

You can plant peppermint around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

9. Lemon Grass

Lemon grass is a tropical plant that's used in cooking. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Lemon grass contains citronellal, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Lemon Grass

Lemon grass grows best in warm, sunny locations with well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Lemon grass can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Lemon Grass

You can plant lemon grass around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

10. Garlic

Garlic is a popular herb that's used in cooking. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Garlic contains allicin, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Garlic

Garlic grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Garlic can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Garlic

You can plant garlic around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the cloves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

11. Sage

Sage is a popular herb that's used in cooking. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Sage contains thujone, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Sage

Sage grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Sage can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Sage

You can plant sage around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

12. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a tree that's native to Australia. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Eucalyptus contains cineole, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus grows best in warm, sunny locations with well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Eucalyptus can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Eucalyptus

You can plant eucalyptus around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

13. Mint

Mint is a popular herb that's used in cooking. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Mint contains menthol, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Mint

Mint grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Mint can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Mint

You can plant mint around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

14. Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a tropical plant that's used in cooking. It's also a natural mosquito repellent. Lemongrass contains citronellal, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Lemongrass

Lemongrass grows best in warm, sunny locations with well-draining soil. It needs to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater it. Lemongrass can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Lemongrass

You can plant lemongrass around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

15. Geraniums

Geraniums are beautiful flowers that add color to your garden. They're also a natural mosquito repellent. Geraniums contain geraniol, which is known to repel mosquitoes.

How to Grow Geraniums

Geraniums grow best in full sun and well-draining soil. They need to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater them. Geraniums can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.

How to Use Geraniums

You can plant geraniums around your outdoor seating area to repel mosquitoes. You can also crush the flowers and apply the oil to your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are these plants safe for pets?

Yes, most of these plants are safe for pets. However, catnip and pennyroyal can cause some pets to become ill or exhibit unusual behavior.

2. How often do I need to water these plants?

Most of these plants need to be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater them. It's best to check the soil moisture level before watering.

3. Can these plants be grown indoors?

Yes, some of these plants can be grown indoors. Citronella, rosemary, and basil are good choices for indoor gardening.

4. Do I need to crush the leaves to release the mosquito-repelling properties?

Yes, crushing the leaves releases the oils that repel mosquitoes. You can crush the leaves and apply the oil to your skin or use a diffuser to release the scent into the air.

5. Do these plants work on other insects besides mosquitoes?

Yes, some of these plants can repel other insects as well. Marigolds, for example, can repel whiteflies and nematodes.

In there are many outside plants that can naturally repel mosquitoes. From citronella to geraniums, these plants add beauty and fragrance to your garden while keeping mosquitoes at bay. Whether you're lounging on your patio or enjoying a picnic in the park, these plants can help make your outdoor activities more enjoyable.