15 Proven Plants to Repel Mosquitoes Naturally

Mosquitoes are more than just an annoyance. They can carry diseases and ruin time spent outdoors.

While chemical repellents are available, many people prefer natural solutions that are safer for families, pets, and pollinators.

One of the easiest ways to reduce mosquito presence is by growing certain plants that naturally keep them away.

These plants give off strong scents or produce oils that confuse or repel mosquitoes. Some release citrus-like aromas, while others carry sharp herbal or minty smells.

The compounds found in their leaves, flowers, or oils make it harder for mosquitoes to find people to bite.

In this article, I'll cover 15 effective mosquito repelling plants, including how each one works, which chemicals or scents are involved, and what makes them useful in outdoor spaces like patios, gardens, or around windows.

Whether you’re planting in pots or garden beds, you’ll learn exactly what to grow to make your space less appealing to mosquitoes.

If you're interested in other natural pest solutions, you might also like DIY Ant Repellents to keep your home and garden pest-free.

Plants with Citrus or Lemon-Like Scents

Citrus-scented plants are known to disrupt the way mosquitoes detect their targets.

These plants release strong aromas filled with compounds like citronellal, citral, and geraniol, which can mask the natural body odors that attract mosquitoes.

When you grow these types of plants around seating areas, windows, or walkways, you’re creating a living barrier that makes it harder for mosquitoes to locate you.

These plants are especially useful during the warmer months when mosquito activity is at its peak.

1. Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus / Cymbopogon citratus)

Citronella grass is one of the most recognized mosquito-repelling plants, and for good reason.

It gives off a sharp lemon scent that interferes with a mosquito’s ability to track carbon dioxide and body odor.

The plant is rich in naturally occurring oils like citronellol, citronellal, geranial, and citral. These compounds are often extracted to make citronella oil, which is commonly used in candles and sprays.

While citronella oil products offer temporary relief, growing the actual plant in your yard is more effective over time.

The live plant continuously emits scent as it grows, creating a steady presence that discourages mosquitoes from hanging around. It's best to plant citronella grass in large pots or directly into garden beds near outdoor living spaces.

It prefers warm temperatures, full sun, and well-draining soil. In colder climates, it can be grown in containers and moved indoors during the winter.

2. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm is a fast-growing member of the mint family with a strong lemon aroma that mosquitoes avoid.

Its leaves are rich in citronellal, geranial, and citral—three compounds that contribute to its mosquito-repelling power.

The scent from this plant is especially noticeable when the leaves are lightly crushed, making it useful in high-traffic garden areas or places where people gather.

Aside from its effectiveness, lemon balm is easy to grow and maintain. It thrives in both containers and garden beds and does well in partial shade or full sun.

One of the best ways to keep its mosquito-repelling abilities strong is to trim it regularly. Pruning helps the plant produce fresh, fragrant leaves that carry the highest concentration of aromatic oils.

It’s a good choice if you're looking for a low-maintenance plant that can quickly fill in empty garden spaces and offer a pleasant lemony smell.

3. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Lemongrass is often confused with citronella grass, and while they belong to the same genus, they serve slightly different roles in the garden.

Lemongrass is known for its bright citrus fragrance and tall, graceful stalks. What makes it especially helpful against mosquitoes is its high concentration of citronellal—the same compound found in citronella oil.

This gives the plant its strong scent, which overwhelms a mosquito’s sense of smell and deters them from coming close.

This plant thrives in warm climates with plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. It can be grown in the ground or in large containers, and it benefits from regular watering during dry spells.

Lemongrass isn’t just useful for pest control—it’s also used in cooking and herbal remedies, which makes it a great multi-purpose addition to your garden.

When placed strategically around sitting areas, doorways, or walkways, it creates a natural barrier that makes it harder for mosquitoes to gather.

4. Scented Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)

Scented geraniums, especially lemon-scented varieties, are popular for both their ornamental value and their ability to repel mosquitoes.

These plants produce lush, leafy growth with a sharp fragrance that’s similar to citronella. What makes them stand out is their chemical profile.

The leaves contain high levels of geraniol, citronellol, and linalool—natural compounds that disrupt mosquito behavior and keep them from getting too close.

These plants do well in containers or flower beds, making them easy to move around as needed.

They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, and they benefit from regular pruning to encourage fuller growth and maintain their strong scent.

Crushing a few leaves between your fingers can also help release more of the aroma when needed. If you’re looking for a visually appealing plant that pulls double duty as a mosquito repellent, scented geraniums are a solid choice.

5. Lemon Basil (Ocimum × citriodorum)

Lemon basil stands out among other basil varieties because of its sharp citrus scent, which makes it more effective at repelling mosquitoes.

While regular basil already helps keep pests away, lemon basil combines the strong aroma of basil with the mosquito-deterring compounds found in lemon-scented plants.

This unique combination makes it a valuable addition to your garden if you're trying to reduce mosquito presence in areas where people gather.

This plant thrives in warm weather and grows well in both garden beds and containers. It needs full sun and consistent moisture to stay healthy and produce fragrant leaves.

Keeping the plant trimmed not only encourages new growth but also helps maintain the strong scent that mosquitoes avoid.

You can also pinch off a few leaves and rub them lightly on your skin as a quick natural repellent while outdoors.

In addition to its practical benefits, lemon basil is also a flavorful herb that can be used in salads and cooking, adding even more value to your space.

Plants with Strong Herbal or Pungent Aromas

Some plants repel mosquitoes not with citrus notes but with bold herbal or earthy scents that naturally deter pests.

These plants work by emitting powerful smells or producing compounds that mosquitoes find irritating or confusing.

When grown in areas with high foot traffic or where people spend time outside, they provide an added layer of protection without needing constant upkeep or sprays.

6. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Marigolds are more than just colorful flowers—they’re also natural pest deterrents. These plants release a strong, somewhat bitter scent that mosquitoes don’t like.

What sets marigolds apart is the compound called pyrethrum found in their tissues.

Pyrethrum is widely used in commercial insect repellents, and when present in a living plant, it helps reduce mosquito activity in nearby areas.

Marigolds are easy to grow and do well in flower beds, borders, or containers. They prefer full sunlight and can thrive in a range of soil types, as long as there’s good drainage.

Planting marigolds near seating areas, porches, or garden edges can create a subtle yet effective mosquito-repelling perimeter.

Their bright blooms also attract pollinators, making them a functional and attractive choice for any garden.

7. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil is a staple in many home gardens for its culinary uses, but it also plays a practical role in repelling mosquitoes.

The strong scent of its leaves is unpleasant to mosquitoes, making it harder for them to locate people nearby.

While all types of basil help deter pests to some extent, common sweet basil is particularly effective when grown in clusters near outdoor sitting areas or entryways.

This plant grows best in warm temperatures with plenty of sunlight and moist, well-drained soil. It’s easy to grow in both containers and garden beds, and regular harvesting keeps the plant bushy and fragrant.

If you want a double benefit from your garden—something useful in the kitchen that also helps keep mosquitoes away—basil is a reliable option.

You can even keep a small pot of it near doors or windows to prevent mosquitoes from sneaking inside.

8. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Lavender is often grown for its beautiful appearance and calming fragrance, but its scent also acts as a natural mosquito repellent.

The plant’s leaves and flowers contain essential oils that interfere with a mosquito’s ability to smell, making it harder for them to zero in on people.

Lavender’s effectiveness is linked to the high concentration of linalool and other volatile oils that it naturally produces.

This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for hot, dry areas where other plants may struggle.

It can be planted in garden beds, borders, or containers and looks especially nice when grouped together.

Lavender is also drought-tolerant once established, which makes it a low-maintenance choice. By placing it around patios, walkways, or windows, you can create an area that’s not only attractive but also less appealing to mosquitoes.

9. Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage is best known as a culinary herb, but it also helps reduce mosquito activity due to its strong, earthy scent.

The leaves contain natural oils that release into the air, especially when the plant is crushed or burned. These oils create a smell that mosquitoes avoid, making sage a useful addition to outdoor spaces where people gather.

This herb grows well in full sun and prefers well-draining soil. Once established, sage is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care.

You can grow it in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground. One effective way to use sage for mosquito control is by tossing a few dried leaves onto an outdoor fire or grill—burning them releases a burst of mosquito-repelling compounds into the air.

Even without burning, simply having the plant nearby helps to create a less hospitable environment for mosquitoes.

10. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

Rosemary’s strong, woody fragrance is pleasant to people but irritating to mosquitoes.

The plant contains natural oils that act as a repellent, especially in warm climates where its aromatic compounds are more easily released.

Its needle-like leaves are loaded with these oils, and the scent intensifies when the plant is brushed or trimmed.

This plant does well in hot, dry environments and needs full sun to thrive. It can be grown in the ground or in pots, which is helpful if you want to move it around to target mosquito-heavy areas.

Like sage, rosemary leaves can also be burned to release their oils more quickly, making them useful around fire pits or barbecues.

In addition to keeping mosquitoes away, rosemary adds structure and visual interest to herb gardens and borders.

Plants from the Mint Family

Plants in the mint family are known for their sharp, cooling scent and their high content of essential oils.

These oils interfere with a mosquito’s ability to track body heat and carbon dioxide, which are the cues they rely on to find people.

Mint family plants are easy to grow and spread quickly, making them practical options for natural pest control in garden spaces.

11. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Catnip is surprisingly effective at repelling mosquitoes.

It contains nepetalactone, an essential oil that has been found in studies to be more effective than DEET at deterring mosquitoes in controlled environments.

This compound overwhelms mosquitoes’ scent receptors and keeps them from getting too close to people or animals.

This plant grows easily in a range of conditions and is especially well-suited to sunny spots with average soil.

Catnip spreads quickly and can become invasive if not managed, so many gardeners choose to grow it in containers.

While it’s famous for its effect on cats, its mosquito-repelling power makes it a great addition to any outdoor space.

You can crush the leaves to release more of the scent when needed, or simply let the plant grow and do its job naturally.

12. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita / Mentha spp.)

Peppermint and other mint varieties have a crisp, menthol-rich scent that mosquitoes avoid.

The natural oils found in mint leaves are especially strong, and even a gentle breeze can carry the aroma far enough to impact mosquito activity.

The plant’s high menthol content makes it effective not only for repelling mosquitoes but also for soothing bites if you happen to get one.

Peppermint grows quickly and spreads through underground runners, so it's best to keep it in containers if you want to control its spread. It prefers partial to full sun and consistently moist soil.

This plant works well around patios, entryways, or window boxes where its scent can circulate. The combination of mosquito control and cooling scent makes it a useful, low-maintenance addition to the garden.

13. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)

Pennyroyal is one of the strongest-smelling mints, and mosquitoes react strongly to its intense fragrance.

Like other mints, it contains volatile oils that mask human scents and confuse mosquitoes. What makes pennyroyal stand out is the strength of its aroma, which is noticeably more pungent than common mint or peppermint.

Although it’s effective as a mosquito repellent, pennyroyal should be used with caution. The plant is toxic if ingested, especially in concentrated oil form, so it’s best to keep it away from pets and children.

That said, it grows well in containers and can be placed around the perimeter of seating areas to create a natural scent barrier.

It thrives in full sun with regular watering and spreads easily when planted in the ground. For safe mosquito control, use pennyroyal as a visual and aromatic border, and avoid using its oil directly on the skin.

Other Effective Mosquito-Repelling Plants

Not all mosquito-repelling plants fit neatly into the citrus or mint categories. These last two offer unique properties that make them effective at keeping mosquitoes away, even if their scents aren’t always noticeable to people.

14. Allium (Allium spp., including Garlic)

Alliums, which include onions, chives, and garlic, produce a strong sulfur-rich scent that mosquitoes dislike.

While you might not notice the smell from a distance, mosquitoes are sensitive to the sulfur compounds that these plants release.

Garlic, in particular, contains a compound called allicin, which plays a key role in its mosquito-repelling ability.

Alliums are hardy and easy to grow. They do best in full sun and well-drained soil and require very little care once established.

Garlic can be planted around the edges of a garden to create a protective barrier. As it matures, it releases odor compounds through its leaves and bulbs, making the area less attractive to mosquitoes.

These plants also help deter other garden pests, adding to their usefulness in a backyard or homestead setting.

15. Floss Flower (Ageratum houstonianum)

Floss flower is an attractive annual that offers both visual appeal and pest-repelling benefits.

Its blooms are usually blue or purple and resemble soft clusters, which make it a popular choice for borders and flower beds.

What gives floss flower its mosquito-repelling ability is a compound called coumarin. This chemical is found in several commercial insect repellents and helps keep mosquitoes at a distance when the plant is nearby.

This plant is best suited for warm climates and full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and grows well in flower beds or as a filler between taller plants.

While the scent isn't strong to humans, the coumarin it releases creates an environment that mosquitoes tend to avoid.

Planting floss flower around seating areas or near entry points can quietly contribute to a mosquito-resistant yard without requiring much attention.

Plant strategically and enjoy a more mosquito-free outdoor space.

Using plants to repel mosquitoes is a practical, chemical-free approach that can help make your outdoor spaces more comfortable.

Each of the 15 plants covered in this guide brings something unique to the table, whether it's a strong citrus scent, a minty aroma, or specific compounds that interfere with a mosquito’s ability to find you.

By mixing and matching different types of mosquito-repelling plants, you can create a layered defense that’s both effective and attractive.

Whether you're planting them in beds, borders, containers, or along walkways, they add value beyond just pest control.

Choosing the right combination for your space can help you enjoy your yard with fewer interruptions from biting insects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the best mosquito-repelling plant for small spaces or containers?

Lemon balm and peppermint are both great options for small spaces. They grow well in containers and release a strong scent that helps keep mosquitoes away. Scented geranium and basil also do well in pots and can be moved around to target high-traffic areas like doorways or patios.

Can these plants really replace chemical repellents completely?

While mosquito-repelling plants can reduce mosquito presence, they usually work best as part of a broader approach. In small areas like patios or balconies, they can make a noticeable difference. However, in heavily infested areas or during peak mosquito seasons, you might still need to combine them with other protective measures.

Do I need to crush the leaves for the plants to work?

You don’t have to, but it can help. Crushing or trimming the leaves releases more of the essential oils that repel mosquitoes. Some plants, like lemon balm or lavender, release enough scent on their own when brushed or touched, but occasional pruning helps maintain their effectiveness.

Are these plants safe around pets and children?

Most of the plants listed are safe, especially when grown outdoors. However, a few—such as pennyroyal—can be toxic if ingested. It’s best to research each plant before placing it within reach of pets or small children, especially if they tend to chew on plants.

Where should I place these plants for best results?

The most effective spots are near areas where people gather or where mosquitoes are likely to enter—like doorways, patios, seating areas, or windows. Placing plants in clusters and mixing different types can help build a stronger scent barrier and improve overall results.