I spent half of last July slapping my ankles on the patio before realizing I completely ignored the easiest defense system. We spend so much energy on bug sprays when the right pots arranged around a seating area do half the work.
These are the ones we keep coming back to.
1. Lemongrass
It’s the absolute best plant for creating a natural bug barrier on a large wooden deck. Lemongrass grows tall and steadily releases citronella oil, confusing the pests so they don’t find you. Plant it in a wide 16-inch container so the root system has plenty of room to spread out. (trust me on this one)
2. Lavender
The scent is very relaxing for us, but mosquitoes strongly hate the essential oils. Joanna actually lines her entire front walkway with lavender to keep bugs away whenever she opens the front door. They are gorgeous flowers that come back every year if you give them full sun, so don’t overwater the roots or they rot quickly. Dead simple.
3. Marigolds
Honestly, this is the one we reach for most. The smell is very pungent, and the blooms contain pyrethrum, an active ingredient used in many commercial insect repellents. They also work wonderfully as companion plants that boost cucumber growth and keep pests away in the main vegetable bed. Cheap and really effective.
4. Rosemary
You can cook with it and it naturally drives off bugs at the exact same time. The woody, pine-like scent of rosemary effectively masks the carbon dioxide we exhale, which is precisely what attracts the mosquitoes in the first place. Snip a few sprigs and toss them right on the coals when you grill.
Now for the ones that cost practically nothing to start.
5. Peppermint
Mint is very aggressive underground, so you absolutely have to keep it in its own isolated pot. The strong oils concentrated in the leaves are irritating to most flying insects looking for a meal. If you’re battling bugs manually, crush a quick handful of leaves and rub the oils right on your arms. Works fast.
6. Lemon Balm
This one definitely surprised me. Lemon balm is a vigorous member of the mint family that carries a strong, heavily sweet citrus scent. Christina tested this around her back porch last summer and the difference showed up in just three days. (cheaper than you’d think)
7. Citronella Geranium
Despite the common name, these aren’t true citronella, but they smell virtually identical to the real grass. Also known as the mosquito plant, they look fantastic spilling out of hanging baskets near an outdoor couch. Just brush your hand against the lacy leaves when you walk by to release the scent.
8. Basil
Most herbs have to be physically crushed to release their oils, but basil emits its scent powerfully enough on its own. Keep a mixed pot grouped with your tough shade plants to grow under trees if you have a mildly shaded seating area nearby. Best bang for your buck on this whole list.
9. Catnip
Your cats will happily go crazy, and the mosquitoes will stay very far away from the area. The active compound in catnip, nepetalactone, is wildly effective at repelling all sorts of flying pests. Keep three feet away from your main walkways so you don’t trip over a rolling, happy cat.
Okay, this one’s a little weird.
10. Sage
It sounds odd to use a classic Thanksgiving herb for bug control, but the thick smoke from burning sage is an ancient repellent. When you have a backyard fire pit going, just burn dried sage leaves over the hot coals. Really effective and smells great.
11. Floss Flower (Ageratum)
These fuzzy little blue flowers organically release coumarin, a chemical widely used in standard commercial bug sprays. You should never rub on skin, but the plants look fantastic bordering the edge of a garden bed. (yes, really)
12. Garlic
We usually only think of garlic for cooking or vampires, but mosquitoes strongly despise the sulfur compounds it releases. You don’t even have to harvest the bulbs. Let the tall green shoots grow near your patio chairs to effortlessly build an invisible wall.
Start With Two or Three Pots
Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to plant a massive defensive perimeter all at once. Grab a couple of the easiest ones, like marigolds or lemongrass, and set them out where you sit the most. Pick three, try them this weekend, and see what happens.