Plant these 7 best plants in your garden for not only their fragrant and colorful display, but also their ability to keep those uninvited mosquitoes out.
7 Best Mosquito-Repelling Plants for Your Garden:
1.Basil
Basil is use for tasty salads and pesto sauce, but it can also keep away mosquitoes. Basil plant naturally emits its aroma, therefore, there’s no need to prepare it in any way or crush the leaves.
Also, basil is toxic to mosquito larvae, therefore, you can put it near standing water to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs.
2. Catnip
Catnip is a great mosquito deterrent.
In a 2010 study, researchers reported that catnip is 10x more effective than DEET, which is the ingredient that is commonly found in bug repellents.
Catnip is a very easy plant to grow, and if you have cats in the house, they will be happy having it around. You can keep plants full by pinching the growing flower buds and stems when they appear.
3. Lavender
Have you noticed that insects and other animals have never decimated the lavender plant? This is because of their lovely fragrance, which comes from the essential oils that are found on the leaves of the plant.
It is even thought that lavender oil hinders a mosquito’s ability to smell. This plant is drought-resistant and very tough once established, and only needs good drainage and full sun. While it can endure many climates, it only thrives in warmer areas.
4. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, and is also known as beebalm and horsemint, and is a very easy plant for beginning gardeners to grow, even if you do not have a green thumb. Also, lemon Balm is a very hardy plant, that grows well even in shade and it resists drought.
It is an aggressive plant and very fast growing, therefore, you might want to place it to a pot, where you can move it anywhere to ensure that it does not take over your garden.
5. Peppermint
This fast-grower can invade your garden if left unchecked, but this plant is not as invasive as other plants in the mint family. Peppermint oil is not only perfect for repelling mosquitoes, but, it can also help with relieving discomfort from itchy mosquito bites.
6. Rosemary
Rosemary is a popular herb seasoning for many dishes, while also keeping several insects away from vegetables and yourself. Also, you can add some rosemary in a fire for that aromatic insect repellent. Rosemary oil contains great benefits for hair and skin, too.
7. Sage
Sage is most commonly used for spiritual cleansing in different cultures, and is often burned in certain rituals. Also, burning sage is a great way to keep mosquitoes away!
You can throw some sage leaves in your fireplace or a backyard fire pit to fill your home with refreshing aromas, and for that natural mosquito-repelling scent.
Related Articles:
- Keep Mosquitoes Away With These Plants
- How to Treat Mosquito Bites Using Honey, Garlic and Toothpaste
- How to Use Coconut Oil as a Natural Mosquito Repellent
Sources:
Proflowers
GardenDesign
Holt Kamphvac
photo credit: pixabay