Nothing ruins a perfect summer evening faster than the incessant buzz—and bite—of mosquitoes. I know how frustrating it is to slather on chemical repellents only to feel sticky and still get bit! Fortunately, your garden can be part of the solution: by incorporating the right plants, you can create a fragrant barrier that deters mosquitoes while attracting beneficial wildlife.
In this guide, we’ll explore 15 botanical allies—presented in a randomized order—that release natural compounds mosquitoes hate. For each, you’ll learn about its repellent properties, native origins, self‑seeding or invasive tendencies, and how it supports pollinators or nesting insects. Let’s turn your outdoor space into a mosquito‑unfriendly haven!
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
Pennyroyal’s strong, mint‑like aroma comes from pulegone—a compound mosquitoes detest. Crush fresh leaves between your fingers and rub them on exposed skin (test a small patch first!), or tuck sprigs into potted displays around patios for continuous repellent action. Its compact size makes it perfect for edging pathways where mosquitoes linger.
Native to Europe, northern Africa, and parts of Asia, pennyroyal can self‑seed if you allow its tiny flowers to set seed, but it rarely becomes invasive. Bees and hoverflies visit its lavender‑blue blooms, and its low, dense foliage offers shelter for ground‑nesting solitary bees. I always leave a bare patch of soil nearby so those little miners can set up home!
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicium)
Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins—natural insecticides that impair mosquito nervous systems on contact. Plant them in decorative containers around seating areas, and when the flowers mature, their pollen and petals can be dried and made into homemade sprays or sachets for a more potent barrier!
Originally from East Asia, ornamental mums aren’t invasive in most home gardens. Their late‑season blooms supply nectar for butterflies and bees when other flowers are fading, and the sturdy stems provide perches for predatory insects like ladybugs. I love how chrysanthemums brighten the porch while keeping pesky biters at bay!
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip’s nepetalactone is so effective that studies show it can be up to ten times more repellent than DEET! Grow catnip in clusters near doorways and windows, or harvest fresh stems to brew into a mosquito‑repelling tea. Spraying the tea around outdoor seating areas creates a nontoxic shield that keeps mosquitoes on the move.
Native to Europe and parts of Asia, catnip self‑sows vigorously but seldom becomes a nuisance if you deadhead spent flowers. Its tubular blooms attract bumblebees, honeybees, and hummingbirds, while the dense foliage offers cover for predatory ground beetles. Honest moment: I once underestimated its vigor and ended up pulling dozens of volunteers—but every bloom brought a buzz of beneficial insects!
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm’s citrusy scent, thanks to high citral and citronellal content, masks human odors and confuses mosquitoes. Rub a few leaves on your wrists or ankle area for a quick personal repellent, or let lemon balm spill over the edges of containers to scent the air around your deck!
Native to southern Europe, lemon balm spreads via runners but is not considered invasive in most climates. Its pale white flowers feed bees and syrphid flies, and the tangle of stems beneath provides safe havens for juvenile pollinators and small amphibians. I find its cheerful lemon fragrance also lifts my mood—win‑win for gardener and guest alike!
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
One of my favorite native perennials, bee balm’s strong essential oils deter mosquitoes while drawing in hummingbirds and bees to its vibrant red or pink blossoms. Plant it in masses near seating areas for both a visual statement and a nontoxic mosquito screen!
Native to eastern North America, bee balm self‑seeds moderately but rarely becomes aggressive. Its tubular flowers are perfect for long‑tongued pollinators, and the hollow stems eventually become nesting tunnels for mason bees. I always leave a few seed heads in place over winter, knowing they’ll sustain goldfinches and sparrows come spring thaw.
Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus)
Citronella grass is the source of the classic “mosquito‑repellent candle” scent, thanks to citronellal and geraniol. Grow clumping patches in large planters or beds, and crush the leaves gently before heading outside to release a burst of repellent oils directly under your nose.
Native to Southeast Asia, citronella grass is not invasive but thrives in warm, humid climates—container growing is best in cooler zones. Its feathery plumes also attract butterflies and beneficial predatory wasps that feed on garden pests. I find watching that dual action—mosquitoes held at bay while lacewings patrol—is endlessly rewarding!
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Sweet basil’s sweet‑spicy aroma comes from linalool and eugenol, which mosquitoes dislike. Plant basil pots around doorways, windows, and seating areas, and snip fresh sprigs for pasta tonight—your basil‑scented breeze is a dual-purpose delight, warding off biters and seasoning your sauce!
Originating in tropical Asia, basil isn’t invasive but thrives in warm, sunny spots with well‑drained soil. Its purple and white flowers draw bees and small butterflies, and the seed‑heads later feed finches. I always let one or two plants bloom each summer just to support those late‑season foragers!
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosemary’s pine‑like fragrance, rich in cineole and camphor, confuses mosquito olfactory receptors. Plant it in sun‑baked beds or containers near lounging spots, and brush by the foliage for an instant repellent boost. Dried sprigs can also be bundled and hung as decorative, fragrant mosquito‑deterrent wands!
Native to the Mediterranean, rosemary is not invasive but appreciates sharp drainage and full sun. Its blue flowers are irresistible to bees and other pollinators, and the woody stems offer perching sites for predatory insects such as predatory wasps. I swear, every time I prune for cooking, I’m also giving my garden a mosquito‑fighting haircut!
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Garden sage’s camphor and thujone compounds make it a foe of biting insects. Burn dried sage leaves as a “smudge stick” around campfire circles or seating areas to drive off mosquitoes, or plant sage along borders to keep the garden perimeter less inviting to pests.
Native to the Mediterranean, sage isn’t invasive but occasional volunteer seedlings appear if you let flowers mature. Those violet‑blue blooms draw bumblebees and native solitary bees, and the low mats of foliage create refuge for lady beetles and ground beetles. I find sage’s silvery foliage also adds year‑round texture that mosquitoes simply can’t crash!
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender’s soothing scent comes from linalyl acetate and linalool—aromatic compounds that humans adore but mosquitoes abhor! Surround seating areas with lavender borders or tuck a few pots on your patio, and you’ll enjoy restful evenings free from bites and filled with bee visits!
Native to the Mediterranean, lavender isn’t invasive but appreciates lean, well‑drained soils and full sun. Its fragrant spikes are top magnets for honeybees and butterflies, and nesting mason bees use hollow stems or pithy stalks for brood chambers. I always deadhead spent blooms to prolong the show and keep those stems attractive to nesting insects!
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Like its cousin citronella, lemongrass carries high levels of citronellal and geraniol—powerful mosquito repellents. Grow dense clumps in sun‑soaked borders or pots, and slice leaves into teas, soups, or stovetop simmer pots that scent the entire patio and keep biting insects at bay!
Native to India and Southeast Asia, lemongrass is not invasive but spreads via rhizomes, so containerizing in cooler climates is wise. Its tall, arching leaves also offer refuge for small lizards and predatory insects like ground beetles. I love that every time I harvest stalks for cooking, I’m also harvesting peace of mind outdoors!
Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds emit limonene and pyrethrum-like compounds from their foliage and roots that deter mosquitoes and nematodes alike. Scatter marigold annuals liberally around vegetable beds and doorways, and their pungent scent will help guard both your salad greens and your summer BBQ.
Native to Mexico and Central America, marigolds self‑seed modestly but seldom overstay their welcome. Their bright orange and yellow blooms attract hoverflies, predatory wasps, and butterflies, and the low‑growing habit offers ground‑nesting bees easy access to nest sites. Plus, their cheerful color always brightens my mood—bite prevention and beauty, all in one!
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
Peppermint’s menthol content not only cools you down but also drives off biting mosquitoes. Crush fresh peppermint leaves in your hands to release an immediate refreshing repellent, or weave mint into your garden paths so every step crushes leaves and scents the air!
A hybrid of watermint and spearmint, peppermint originates from Europe but can spread vigorously via runners, so contain it in pots or confined beds. Its purple flower spikes beckon bees and butterflies, and the thick vegetation underfoot shelters tiny toads and amphibians that feed on mosquito larvae. I always save a few mint clippings to add to summer drinks—my own mint bar that repels pests and delights guests!
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)
Eucalyptus leaves are rich in eucalyptol (cineole), a compound widely used in commercial mosquito repellents. Plant smaller varieties like Eucalyptus cinerea in large containers, and crush a few leaves to release the camphor‑mint aroma that mosquitoes avoid.
Native to Australia, most eucalyptus species are not invasive in temperate gardens, though they do require full sun and good drainage. Their nectar‑rich flowers attract honeybees and native stingless bees, and the peeling bark offers crevices for nesting solitary bees and small birds. I love knowing each breeze through eucalyptus is like having a built‑in mosquito control system!
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Garlic emits sulfurous compounds, especially allicin, that repel mosquitoes at the roots when planted around patios or garden edges. Plant garlic bulbs in fall for a spring harvest, and the living mulch effect will help keep the ground around seating areas less inviting for mosquitoes.
Native to Central Asia, garlic isn’t invasive but thrives in well‑drained soils and full sun. Its umbel flowers attract parasitic wasps and beneficial hoverflies, while the densely planted rows provide hiding spots for ground beetles. I always plant a garlic border near my deck—nothing tastes better than a garlic scape pesto while mosquitoes stay firmly outdoors!
