Does the buzz of mosquitoes ruin your perfect summer evening outdoors? You spend time setting up your yard for relaxation and fun, only to have tiny, biting pests take over. Dealing with mosquito bites is annoying, and many people worry about the chemicals in traditional sprays. Choosing the best natural defense for your space can feel overwhelming. Which plants really work? How many do you need?
Imagine enjoying your patio or garden without constantly swatting at the air. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you simple, effective plants that naturally keep those unwelcome guests away. You will learn exactly which fragrant herbs and flowers offer the best protection for your specific outdoor area.
Keep reading to discover the top mosquito-repelling plants. We will explore how these green allies work their magic, making your yard a peaceful sanctuary once again. Get ready to transform your outdoor living space naturally!
Top Mosquito Repellent Plants For Yard Recommendations
- KILLS FAST: Kills mosquitoes, listed ant types, fleas and other listed insects
- QUICKFLIP HOSE-END SPRAYER: Hose-end-sprayer activates spray at the flip of a switch – just grip, flip and go
- LASTS ALL SUMMER: Controls up to 12 weeks against house crickets, carpenter ants, harvester ants, lady beetles and earwigs
- COVERAGE: Treats up to 5,000 square feet of lawn
- NO MIXING REQUIRED: Attach the sprayer to a garden hose to treat your lawn, landscape and outdoor surfaces where insects hide
- KILLS & REPELS. A preventative and a treatment, this spray is a natural pest repellent, and kills mosquitoes, ants, fleas, ticks, roaches, flies, crickets, chinch bugs, japanese beetles, no-see-ums, gnats and more. Safe alternative to conventional pesticide sprays, baits, ant granules, zappers or foggers.
- ATTACH & SPRAY! Just attach directly to a garden hose, spray your backyard, and enjoy. Safe around cats, dogs and people of all ages when used as directed, with no wait time for drying or reentry into sprayed outside areas. Keep the bottle & Refill the sprayer with our Outdoor Pest Control Concentrate!
- TREATS UP TO 5,000 SQUARE FEET. A bug control spray that can be safely used on lawns, gardens, grass, picnic areas, playgrounds, patios, vegetables, flowers, siding, brick, paint and more. Treat an existing pest infestation or for prevention. Application coverage depends on water pressure and walking speed.
- TREAT NATURE WITH NATURE. No artificial colors, fragrances. Made in the USA from powerful, sustainable plant powered ingredients. Cruelty free and biodegradable. Keep the bottle & Refill the sprayer with our Outdoor Pest Control Concentrate!
- POWERED BY NATURE. Powered by cedar oil, our plant-powered formula is proven to kill and repel pests. Safe when sprayed outdoors around pets, kids, and beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Permethrin-Free. Packaging may vary.
- PEST-FREE SOLUTION: As carriers of harmful bacteria, mosquitoes have been posing a potential threat to our daily health. BugBai mosquito repellent incense sticks can release a fresh herbal smell that disrupts the sensory system of mosquitoes and makes them feel offensive. Thus making it possible to enjoy your sleepy night and outdoor activities freely without any disturbance of those annoying mosquitoes.
- NATURAL INCENSE STICKS: The main active ingredients of our natural mosquito repellent incense is plant-based essential oils like Rosemary, Lemongrass and Citronella. This DEET-free citronella incense stick without chemicals is non-toxic and friendly to pets, human and plants when used as directed. These bug repellent outdoor will build up a mosquito barrier so as to protect you and your family from mosquito bites.
- HOW TO USE: Every Box contains 120 pieces of mosquito incense sticks. Take one out and ignite the tip of the mosquito incense stick until it flames. Let it burn for 10-20 sec and extinguish the flame away. Then place it in the holder or in a pot filled with sand or dirt. Try to keep the mosquito repellent as close to the floor as possible. For optimal mosquito protection results, place 4-5 pieces of incense sticks to create a perimeter around your patio or any other outdoor areas.
- LASTING & EFFECTIVE: As mosquitoes are extremely sensitive to smells, this mosquito repellent outdoor patio can deliver a strong smell, which is fresh to people but highly irritating to mosquitoes. The natural ingredients will be activated and volatilized into the air to create a mosquito-free environment after the mosquito incense is ignited. Each mosquito incense sticks can burn for 60 min approximately (wind speed and humidity may impact the burning time)
- WIDE APPLICATION RANGE: Despite of giving your indoor area a full range of protection such as kitchen, bedroom, living room, dining room, basement and so on. BugBai insect repellent is also ideal for outdoor insect control such as garden, yard, patio, deck, corridor, swimming pool, porch and so on. It will be useful for picnic, BBQ, camping or fishing outside. It also has a certain repellent effect on other flying and biting insects such as ticks, flies, and gnats.
- TWO (2) LARGE LIVE PLANTS – big, healthy, ready to grow, premium plants, 4” to 8” tall plants, in 4” pots. NON GMO No Neonicotinoids
- Citronella Mosquito plants (Citrosa Geranium) are a beautiful plant for your yard, patio, pool area, or garden
- These lemony-scented citronella plants cover an area up to 10 square feet. They require little tending and grow to about 4 feet high if the season allows
- Our plants are fast shipped for MAXIMUM freshness. Includes our Clovers Garden copyrighted QUICK-START Guide. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- KILL & REPEL BUGS. Plant powered pest protection that works. A flea and tick yard treatment and preventative, this pest repellent spray is powered by natural essential oils and is proven to protect your pets and family from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
- SPRAY & PLAY CONVENIENCE! PRE-MIXED & READY TO USE. Safe around cats, dogs and people of all ages when used as directed, with no wait time for drying or reentry into sprayed areas and environments. Just attach directly to a garden hose, spray your backyard, and enjoy. Keep the bottle & refill the sprayer with Wondercide Flea and Tick Yard and Garden concentrate.
- TREATS UP TO 5,000 SQ FT TO KILL FLEAS & MOSQUITOES. Treats up to 2,500 square feet to kill and repel ticks and repel mosquitoes. When used as directed, can be safely used on lawns, gardens, grass, patios, dog kennels, vegetables, flowers, siding, brick, paint and more. Treat an existing pest infestation or for prevention.
- TREAT NATURE WITH NATURE. USA Made with plant based active ingredients like steam distilled cedarwood essential oil. No artificial colors, dyes, or fragrances. The residue is safe beneficial insects and pollinators like bees and butterflies when used as directed. Cruelty free.
- POWERFULLY EFFECTIVE. Powered by cedar oil, Wondercide is pest protection that's proven to work, especially for flea, tick, and mosquito removal. Woman founded. Mom approved. Application coverage depends on water pressure and walking speed.
- Natural ingredients: citronella incense sticks outdoor made with citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary natural plant essential oils, organic mosquito repellent outdoor patio smells pleasant. And citronella candles outdoor can let your indoor and outdoor activities are no longer plagued by mosquitoes, and is friendly to your family and pets
- Effective repellent mosquito: light the mosquito stick, burn for 10 seconds, blow it out, and place the mosquito repellent outdoor patio in your desired location, 12 feet apart. It can be placed in the holder or directly inserted in a non-flammable place such as dirt. For optimal mosquito protection, place 3-5 mosquito repellents on or around your patio, which will effectively protect you from mosquito bites
- Lasting and effective: the mosquito repellent stick emits a natural botanical aroma that is refreshing to humans and annoying to mosquitoes. These mosquito sticks creating a protected area to keep you and your family from mosquito bites. Each mosquito repellent outdoor patio can burn for about 60 minutes (wind speed may affect the burn time)
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor: our mosquito sticks outdoor are ideal for the outdoors, whether on the patio, deck, yard, park, camping or fishing, providing you with all-round protection. Mosquito sticks are also suitable for use in indoor scenes such as bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms
- Easy to carry: one box contains 60 pack mosquito repellent incense sticks(no incense tray). Each mosquito sticks is 12.6 inches in size, making citronella incense sticks easy to carry and ready to use anytime and anywhere on camping and outdoor trips
- Plant-based: The mosquito repellent utilizes plant extracts such as Citronella, Rosemary, Peppermint oil, and other natural ingredients, ensuring safety for both pets and children. It can be confidently used indoors and outdoors
- Wide Application: Ideal for use in yards, camping, hiking, and daily activities in areas with high mosquito activity, effectively protecting you from mosquito bites. Additionally, the mosquito repellent balls also deter ticks, flies, gnats, and other flying and biting insects
- Long-lasting and Effective: With a lasting effect of up to 60-90 days, these mosquito repellent Pouches offer extended protection against mosquitoes. Placing one pounch every 125 sq. ft. is recommended to create a natural mosquito repellent barrier, ensuring a mosquito-free environment and keeping you protected
- Easy to Use: Each mosquito repellent Pouches comes with a string bag for convenient placement. Simply place it on the ground or hang it wherever you desire protection
- How It Works: The scent of the repellent disrupts the mosquito's sensory system, effectively deterring them from the area where the repellent pills were placed for up to 60 days
- ULTIMATE MOSQUITO PREVENTION — NatroZing Mosquito Spray is the ultimate solution for fighting mosquitoes. It kills adult mosquitoes instantly on contact, eliminates larvae in stagnant water and humid areas, and creates a protective barrier that repels mosquitoes for up to four weeks.
- SAFE & PLANT-DERIVED FORMULA — Powered by a patented blend of essential oil–based active ingredients and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) boosters, it effectively blocks neuron receptors in invertebrates without synthetic pesticides or toxins—safe for humans, pets, birds, and fish.
- NON-TOXIC & FAMILY-FRIENDLY — Tested by an EPA-authorized laboratory to ensure safety around the entire family. Unlike many conventional pesticides, NatroZing does not require children or pets to leave the treated area.
- EASY TO USE — Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Spray directly on areas with mosquito activity to eliminate existing pests, or apply preventively around standing water, bushes, and humid areas to control larvae. Create a protective barrier in bedrooms, patios, BBQ areas, outdoor dining spaces, campsites, fishing spots, and bonfire gatherings.
- USE WITH CONFIDENCE — The non-staining formula carries a pleasant natural lemongrass aroma that dissipates quickly, allowing comfortable use without the need to evacuate the area.
Choosing the Best Mosquito Repellent Plants for Your Yard
Tired of swatting mosquitoes every time you step outside? Natural mosquito repellent plants can offer a pleasant, chemical-free defense for your yard. This guide helps you pick the best ones for your space.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for repellent plants, focus on these important features. A good plant should have a strong, noticeable scent when you brush its leaves. This scent is what confuses and deters mosquitoes. Also, check the plant’s sunlight and water needs. Match these needs to the spot where you plan to plant it.
- Strong Aromatic Oils: The plant must release powerful essential oils. Look for labels that mention high concentrations of citronella, lemon scent, or lavender.
- Growth Habit: Decide if you need a tall bush, a low ground cover, or a container plant. This affects where you can place it.
- Hardiness Zone: Ensure the plant can survive your local winter weather. Check the USDA hardiness zone information.
Important Materials and Plant Types
Mosquito repellent plants are usually chosen for their natural oils. You are essentially buying a living source of bug-repelling chemicals.
Top Plant Categories:
- Citronella Geraniums (Pelargonium citrosum): These look like regular geraniums but smell strongly of citronella. They are popular favorites.
- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): A fast-growing mint family member. It spreads quickly, so you might need to contain it.
- Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Studies show catnip contains nepetalactone, which can be very effective against mosquitoes.
- Basil and Rosemary: Common kitchen herbs work well, especially when planted near seating areas or grills.
When you buy, always choose healthy-looking plants. Avoid plants with yellowing leaves or visible pests. A healthy plant produces more of the oils you need.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The effectiveness of your plant defense depends on how you care for it and where you place it.
Boosting Repellent Power:
- Crushing Leaves: The scent is strongest when the oils are released. Gently crush a few leaves before you go outside.
- Sunlight Exposure: Most repellent plants need full sun to produce the maximum amount of aromatic oils. Less sun means less scent.
- Proper Pruning: Regular trimming keeps the plant bushy and encourages new, fragrant growth.
Reducing Effectiveness:
- Windy Locations: Strong winds blow the scent away quickly, making the plant less useful.
- Overwatering or Underwatering: Stressed plants produce fewer protective oils.
- Plant Spacing: Placing plants too far apart creates gaps in your protection zone.
User Experience and Use Cases
People use these plants in several practical ways around their yards. The best experience comes from strategic placement.
Common Use Cases:
- Patio Perimeter: Line pots of lemon balm or citronella around your deck to create a scented barrier.
- Entryways: Plant basil near doors. This keeps bugs from following you inside.
- Gardening Companion: Tuck rosemary bushes among your vegetables. This protects your crops and yourself while you work.
Users report that these plants work best as a deterrent, not a complete shield. You should use many plants together for the best effect. They add beauty and a nice smell, which users love. However, do not expect a single plant to clear an entire yard of bugs.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquito Repellent Plants
Q: Do these plants really work as well as bug spray?
A: No. Repellent plants work by creating a mild, localized scent barrier. They work best when many plants are grouped together near where you sit.
Q: How many plants do I need for my backyard?
A: For a small patio, try using 4 to 6 large potted plants spaced closely. For a larger yard, you need many more plants dotted around gathering spots.
Q: Can I use the leaves from these plants on my skin?
A: Some people rub crushed leaves on their skin, but it is safer to test a small area first. Some plants can cause skin irritation.
Q: What is the easiest repellent plant to grow?
A: Mint varieties, like Lemon Balm, are often the easiest because they grow fast. They do need to be kept in containers so they do not take over your garden.
Q: Do these plants need special soil?
A: Most prefer well-draining soil. Heavy, wet soil can cause root rot, which stops the plant from producing oils.
Q: Will these plants repel all types of biting insects?
A: They are primarily effective against mosquitoes. They may also bother some gnats or flies, but they are not strong against spiders or ticks.
Q: What should I do if my citronella plant stops smelling strong?
A: Move the plant to a spot that gets more direct sunlight. Also, pinch off old or dead leaves to encourage new, fragrant growth.
Q: Can I plant these near my pet’s favorite area?
A: Check toxicity first. Catnip is safe, but some other strong herbs might not be good if pets eat them often. Always place them where pets cannot easily chew them.
Q: How do I keep my repellent herbs alive through winter?
A: If you live where it freezes, you must bring potted plants indoors before the first frost. Plant hardy varieties directly into the ground if your zone allows.
Q: Do I need to water repellent plants every day?
A: No. Most need deep watering when the top inch of soil feels dry. Check the specific needs of the plant type you choose.