8 of the best plants for keeping mosquitoes away from your back yard

Last Updated on June 30, 2023

Long summer evenings and warm nights are perfect for spending time in your back yard—if it weren’t for those pesky mosquitoes! 

If you’re a mosquito magnet, you may weigh the fun of enjoying time outdoors against the costs of chemical-filled bug sprays. But did you know that nature has its own bug repellents you can borrow? 

These plants are easy to care for, smell great, and are well known for keeping mosquitoes away from you and your back yard.

Lavender

If you know anyone who hates the smell of lavender, beware! They could be a giant bug in disguise. A popular essential oil, lavender can help repel mosquitoes for as long as eight hours. But for a lasting effect, plant the lavandin variety (which has a high concentration of camphor) on the grounds around your home. In addition to warding off pests, the beautiful purple flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Place the plants about two feet apart and make sure they get plenty of sunlight. Dried lavender sprigs work well, too.

Basil

If you’re a fan of pesto pasta or pizza, this plant is a win-win! Its oils are known to kill mosquito larvae before they hatch, which can reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard. It’s also as beloved by pollinators as it is by your house guests. Basil grows great planted alone or with its natural friends, tomatoes and oregano. Plant in pots that receive lots of sunlight and water, and make basil the centerpiece of your picnic table.

Citronella

There’s a reason why citronella is a popular ingredient in natural bug sprays. Its lemon-scented oils make a pleasant addition to consumers of bug sprays—as well as perfumes and household cleaners. But the plant is also one of the most well-known bug repellants. This grass can grow up to six feet tall and just as wide. So, it could be a showstopper in your landscaping. Place it in a spot that receives filtered sunlight and plenty of water.

Marigolds

Gardeners and landscapers have always loved marigolds. But you might not expect them to be on the same list as all these fragrant herbs. Nonetheless, marigolds do have several insecticidal components that make them great to have around the home. The main one is called pyrethrum, and it can be found as an ingredient in many insect repellents. Plus, marigolds are low-maintenance plants and add a pop of bright color to your landscaping. In addition to mosquitoes, marigolds also repel aphids, Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, thrips, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms.

Rosemary

Another kitchen staple, rosemary is a great potent herb for cooking, or for repelling mosquitoes, cabbage moths, and carrot flies. And the bushy herb grows great in pots, window boxes, or as part of your landscaping! Established plants can be pruned into decorative shapes, making them a fun focal point, as well. Like lavender, you can clip sprigs of rosemary, dry them, and hang them near windows or outdoor seating to keep away pests. Or toss some on the grill or in the fire pit—rosemary smoke is an added deterrent. 

Citronella Scented Geranium

Also known as citrosum or the mosquito plant, this geranium is not like all the others. It produces a smell that’s similar to citronella grass, mentioned above, that will repel bugs. Citronella geraniums prefer climates that are warm, sunny, and dry, where they will grow quickly. In cooler climates, try growing them in planters that you can prune regularly. Crush one of their leaves to make the fragrance stronger.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it’s an invasive that can completely take over sections of your yard. But on the other hand, the lemon scent it produces helps repel insects and makes a pleasing tea. For the best outcome, plant it in containers to keep it from growing out of control. In addition to lemon balm, known mosquito repellents include lemon grass, lemon thyme, and lemon verbena (see the theme?).

Catnip

Lastly, this plant has been known to repel mosquitoes, but it will attract every outdoor cat in your neighborhood! Catnip (and catmint) are related to other mint plants, which bugs also hate. But catnip has been found to be several times more effective than store-bought bug sprays! Catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone, which it releases when its leaves are crushed. The chemical attracts cats but repels bugs like mosquitoes. Try planting it in hanging pots to keep it out of reach of greedy kitties.

Why do these plants repel mosquitoes?

Luckily for humans, the very thing that mosquitoes hate most about these plants is the thing that we love: their oils. Nearly all of the plants in this post have pleasing scents for humans. And their oils are used often in cooking, cosmetics, and home goods like scented candles. 

How to get the most out of your mosquito repelling plants

If you have a large property, you may find that these mosquito repelling plants will only work for a certain radius. We recommend planting mosquito repelling plants in pots you can move around. That way, you can enjoy an evening on the deck or a night by the fire pit without much fuss.

Read more: Beautiful summer planter ideas

If you find that mosquitoes are still annoying you, try crushing a few leaves from each plant you have potted. You’ll love the fresh smells of lavender or lemon balm, and the released oils will drive mosquitoes away. 

A full list of 31 plants that keep mosquitoes away

Not all plants suit your personal tastes or preferences. And some will grow better than others in your particular yard, depending on the amount of sun you receive and which growing zone you live in. Sometimes it’s best to experiment to find which plants, or combination of plants, work best for you.

Here is a full list of plants that are known to help repel mosquitoes from your yard.

Read more: The 9 flowers and plants you need to plant now for beautiful color all summer long