THE 8 BEST MOSQUITO REPELLENT PLANTS AND FLOWERS TO KEEP THEM AWAY - LIFESTYLE

8 plants and flowers against mosquitoes to keep in the garden

Plants are not only a real marvel for our mood; some purify the air of our home, while others are more decorative than functional. The truth is that in nature there are many species capable of relieving us from many daily annoyances, such as aloe vera which helps to counteract the signs of sunburn simply by applying its juice on the skin. Watch the video to find out which natural treatments to use in case of insect bites!

Mosquito repellent plants and flowers

When the temperatures start to heat up, one of the first things that comes to mind is: mosquitoes are coming! With the summer and the windows open it is inevitable that they come to visit us, in the garden as well as inside the walls of the house. There is no human being who does not find mosquitoes annoying and annoying, sometimes even painful if you are very prone to their bites.
Among all the specimens in circulation, those most to fear are female, the only ones to sting us humans: our blood is used to nourish the little ones.
How can you protect yourself from possible attacks in a natural way?
First of all it is good to make sure that you do not have optimal conditions in the house or in the garden for the proliferation of this insect, such as stagnant water in saucers or containers; in addition it is possible to adopt some clever stratagem that does not involve the adoption of repellent sprays on the skin.

Let's talk about some plants and flowers that are naturally enemies of mosquitoes.
In the course of the article you will find several species listed, all valid allies in the fight against the summer bites of this insect; some of these are aromatic and in addition to keeping mosquitoes away, they prove to be very useful for flavoring dishes in the kitchen or to perfume. home environments and balconies.
(If you are interested in aromatic plants, read our article on perennial aromatic species for balconies and gardens).

Lemongrass (Lemongrass)

Lemongrass is a perennial herbaceous plant, therefore an evergreen. Native to South Asia, it is the main natural ingredient of many mosquito repellent formulations.
Its characteristic citrus smell is able to mask those that make us so attractive to mosquitoes, that is the scent of our skin and blood; with this natural shield for mosquitoes it is more difficult to locate us.

Lemongrass has the shape of a small bush, the leaves of which are in the shape of a falling ribbon.
It grows well in the garden and in pots, as long as it is planted in a sunny or semi-shaded place sheltered from winds and gusts. If you choose the lemongrass plant for the garden, it tends to last one year, since it suffers a lot from frost, while in pots it is possible to make it last a little longer by taking it indoors in the winter months. well-drained soils and regular watering.
Thanks to its pleasant scent, lemongrass is used as a herb for home preparations, both to flavor herbal teas and drinks and salads.

Why choose the plant instead of mosquito-repellent citronella candles? Candles, oils and other products impregnated with this aroma will never smell as much as the plant itself, which is characterized precisely by a more pronounced odor.

Monarda (Monarda punctata)

Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, Monarda is a perennial plant native to North America. It is very simple to grow, it adapts well to different climates and contexts and for this reason it is recommended for those who do not have great gardening skills but are still looking for a green repellent solution similar to that of lemongrass.
In fact, Monarda gives off an intense smell, similar to incense, which is truly portentous to defend against attacks by mosquitoes because it confuses them.

This plant species grows very fast and loves to be exposed to direct sunlight for several hours a day. To be grown in the garden or in pots, Monarda is very resistant and tolerates well even periods of drought.
Its elongated leaves, if dried, are useful for making a good fresh tea or scented sachets for wardrobes. In fact, the Monarda fragrance recalls that of bergamot.

Marigold (Calendula Officinalis)

Among the best anti-mosquito plants there is also the calendula: it is a herbaceous species with orange flowers, which bloom again throughout the summer once a month, until November.
They are usually found cultivated as ornamental plants precisely because of the colorful flowers but they are also appreciated for their phytotherapeutic properties: calendula is an excellent natural ingredient to reduce redness on the skin.
Marigolds love to be in the sun, but they can survive even in the apartment if the position is correct, such as the entrance to the house or a window sill. To grow well they need a nice soft and not very acidic soil; they are resistant species and they smell strongly, which is unpleasant for mosquitoes.It works particularly well as a repellent for these insects because it contains pyrethrum, a compound often used in sprays.
In addition to repelling mosquitoes, the calendula plant also keeps away many parasites of tomato plants, why not plant some specimens in the vegetable garden?

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

It might surprise you, but basil leaves are also good options for warding off annoying mosquitoes, including the Tiger mosquito.
Keeping a jar of basil on the balcony or in a corner in the garden is always a good choice: it perfumes your outdoor area in spring and summer and is convenient for cooking summer dishes and garnishing them in an imaginative way. Not only that, its particular and delicate scent that is so loved in the Mediterranean diet helps to keep mosquitoes at a distance.
The ideal temperature of basil is between 20 and 25 ° C and unfortunately it suffers from heat and cold. So when we are in the mild seasons it can be safely in the sun, but if there are higher temperatures it is good practice to move the jar, perhaps repairing it and watering it a little more (without creating stagnant water at the roots).
Where to place the basil aromatic plant if you want to ward off mosquitoes? Perfect on a window sill.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

Thanks to its delicate scent, lavender is one of the plants par excellence in the fight against mosquitoes. It is very effective and can be easily grown at home, both indoors and outdoors, in the ground or in pots.
Once planted, lavender will not only give a pleasant fragrance with a relaxing power, but it is recognized all over the world to create a beautiful decorative effect, all in shades of lilac. Lavender is an ornamental species and has a great aesthetic impact: you find it in the form of a bush, perennial and evergreen and has characteristic purple flowers that bloom between late spring and early summer. Lavender flowers keep flies, wasps and other insects, such as mosquitoes, away.

What kind of lavender to choose? There are no plants better than others when it comes to creating a natural mosquito barrier; all varieties of lavender are easy to keep alive because they do not need much care and can grow in arid soils. This small shrub loves being in full sun and prefers clay-rich soils, but watch out for watering which must never be abundant.

See also: 25 design pots for balconies and gardens

Now I cry her!

Agerate (Ageratum houstonianum)

To the genre Ageratum about sixty species belong, some annual and others perennial, but all native to North America. You may not have heard of it often, but it is a beautiful plant with blue flowers that look like pom poms, soft and ethereal.
The ageratum blooms from the first days of June to the end of summer and prefers exposure in full sun or in any case it must be able to take at least 4/5 hours of sun a day to be able to develop. It can be attacked by aphids, which are eliminated by washing the plant or treating it with a specific insecticide On the market and in nature there are not only varieties of ageratum with blue flowers, but also in shades of pink and white.
Given this very extensive flowering and its intense scent, the ageratum is one of the perfect garden plants to create borders.

Its repellent capacity against mosquitoes is due to the presence of coumarin, a substance that mosquitoes find particularly unwelcome. Agerato leaves can be collected and crushed to increase their smell and therefore their effectiveness, but direct use on the skin is strongly not recommended.

Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)

Or cat grass, it is grown as an ornamental and medicinal species. You can easily recognize it because it has a particular aroma, similar to that of mint. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family and contains menthol, which is a repellent substance for insects, especially mosquitoes, thanks to its intense scent. It can be grown indoors but be careful if you have a feline because it will naturally be attracted to it and will continue to rub against and chew it.
It is not a vegetable that needs a lot of care but it is good to pay attention to some atmospheric variations, such as the wind that would make it lose its repellent power.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

One of the most used aromatic plants in the kitchen and appreciated for decorating autumn and winter dishes. Rosemary is perfect for keeping summer mosquitoes at bay thanks to its aromatic scent and for its ease of cultivation it can be placed almost anywhere, in the house, on the balcony, in the garden or as a fragrant hedge.
If you decide to grow it in pots, place it in full sun: it loves high temperatures! It blooms in spring with beautiful blue flowers, vaguely reminiscent of those of lavender.