By: Auth
Posted onPublished: February 10, 2022 – Last updated: November 6, 2023
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Mosquitos have got to be the most unpopular bugs on the planet – and rightly so!
Their peskiness can ruin a barbeque or picnic in the great outdoors faster than you can say citronella. Bug repellent sprays aren’t always handy and non-natural ones are exceptionally bad for both the environment and you.
Luckily there are a handful of plants that can help repel mosquitos and save your summer garden adventures.
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While many of these plants contain certain levels of citronella and other pest repelling oils, simply planting them won’t necessarily solve your mosquito problems. In most cases, you’ll have to rub, crush or cut these plants so they release their mosquito-repelling oils.
There are several plants with these mosquito-repelling powers, some even deter other garden pests, but there are a few that won’t work at all. Many plants are often advertised as having mosquito-repelling properties, but in most cases, there is little to no scientific proof to back up these claims.
7 Plants That Work To Repel Mosquitoes
1. Citronella Grass
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True to the name, this clumping perennial grass contains high amounts of citronella, which as we all know, repels mosquitos.
Citronella grass also emits a delicious lemony scent, causing it to often be confused with lemongrass. The pair also look very similar, but they’re very different plants.
Citronella grass doesn’t emit its citronella essential oil on its own – it needs a bit of help. Luckily, you simply need to crush or cut a few blades of grass, and there you go, citronella oil on the spot. You can rub these crushed or cut blades directly onto your clothes or skin.
Being an easy, natural mosquito repellent isn’t the only thing this grass is good for. It makes quite a statement in containers and beds alike, often growing to six feet tall and four feet wide when given the space. Citronella grass is also a great companion plant to most flowering plants as it deters whiteflies with its lemony scent.
It has many uses out of the garden too. In Asia, citronella grass is often used as a spice and natural medicine. It’s used to soothe headaches, reduce fevers, and treat lice. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, making it a great natural ingredient for homemade cleaning products.
Citronella grass is a great patio plant that can easily be plucked, cut, and crushed whenever a mosquito is buzzing about.
2. Lavender
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