Top 9 Mosquito Repellent Plants to Try in Your Garden

Citronella

Citronella is common in insect repellent candles and sprays. Beach grass-style Cymbopogon nardus has mosquito-repelling oil, according to the National Pesticide Information Centre.

Marigold

Marigolds, an easy-to-grow annual, repel insects. To deter pests, plant them in pots near your patio or doorway. Marigolds are popular in vegetable and border gardens.

Lemongrass

Citronella and lemongrass are separate plants, yet they appear alike. Lemongrass oil protects against certain mosquitoes for 2.5 hours, according to research. Scientists examined the oil, not the plant.

Catnip

Catnip is popular with cats, but it may also keep mosquitoes away. Catnip oil repels various Aedes and Culex mosquito species, according to research. Catnip oil was also more successful at spatial repelling in one investigation.

Sage

Sage is one of the few plants with mosquito-repelling study. One pot of sage may protect against certain insects by 32%, according to a research. This herb is edible and doubles the plant's yield.

Lime Basil

Lime basil, also known as Ocimum americanum or hoary basil, has been shown to keep some types of bugs away by up to 40% when left out in a pot. You can eat it, so it's a good thing to have around the house.

Mint

Since you can consume mint, it's a helpful plant to keep around. Some commercial mosquito repellents include peppermint oil, which study shows repels blood suckers. The oil, not the vegetation, repels, according to research.

Ocimum Forskolei

A plant called Ocimum Forskolei, which looks like sweet basil, has also been linked to keeping mosquitoes away. A study done in the field found that the plant kept mosquitoes from getting into homes up to 53% of the time.

Pignut

One field investigation found that fresh pignut (Hyptis suaveolens) leaves repelled mosquitoes 73% for two hours. It's impossible to determine whether the plant will keep mosquitoes away because this is only one research.