Mosquitoes can turn a beautiful yard into a battleground. But with a strategic garden design, you can create a natural barrier that keeps these pests at bay while enhancing the beauty of your garden. Here’s a detailed guide on nine mosquito-repelling plants, where to plant them, how to care for them, and what plants can be grouped together for optimal growth.
1. Basil
Planting:
- Location: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0)
- Watering: Regular watering, but avoid waterlogging
Care:
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every 4-6 weeks
- Companion Plants: Tomatoes, peppers (avoid planting with rosemary or sage)
Benefits:
Basil emits a strong aroma that deters mosquitoes. It’s also a great culinary herb, making
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2. Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot, Horsemint)
Planting:
- Location: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Moist, well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0)
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
Care:
- Fertilizer: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Companion Plants: Echinacea, phlox
Benefits:
Bee Balm attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies while repelling mosquitoes with its strong fragrance.
3. Catnip
Planting:
- Location: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-draining, sandy soil, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.1-7.8)
- Watering: Water moderately; drought-tolerant once established
Care:
- Fertilizer: Light fertilization in spring
- Companion Plants: Echinacea, chamomile
Benefits:
Catnip is highly effective at repelling mosquitoes, containing nepetalactone, which is more effective than DEET.
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4. Citronella (Citronella Grass, Lemon Grass)
Planting:
- Location: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining, moderately rich soil, slightly acidic (pH 5.8-6.5)
- Watering: Regular watering, keep soil moist but not waterlogged
Care:
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 months
- Companion Plants: Thyme, lavender
Benefits:
Citronella is one of the most well-known mosquito repellents, often used in candles and sprays.
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5. Floss Flower (Ageratum)
Planting:
- Location: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-draining, rich soil, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5)
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
Care:
- Fertilizer: Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season
- Companion Plants: Marigolds, petunias
Benefits:
Floss Flower contains coumarin, which repels mosquitoes and is often used in commercial repellents.
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6. Garlic
Planting:
- Location: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining, sandy loam soil, slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0)
- Watering: Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings
Care:
- Fertilizer: Apply a high-phosphorus fertilizer in early spring
- Companion Plants: Carrots, tomatoes (avoid planting with peas or beans)
Benefits:
Garlic’s strong odor deters mosquitoes and other pests, and it’s also a great culinary ingredient.
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- Well-draining soil
- Ready to plant
- Regular watering
7. Lavender
Planting:
- Location: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining, slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.7-7.3)
- Watering: Water sparingly; drought-tolerant once established
Care:
- Fertilizer: Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer once a year
- Companion Plants: Rosemary, thyme
Benefits:
Lavender’s pleasant aroma repels mosquitoes and moths, and it adds a lovely scent to your garden.
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8. Lemon Balm
Planting:
- Location: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5)
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
Care:
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Companion Plants: Catnip, basil
Benefits:
Lemon Balm has a citrusy scent that repels mosquitoes and attracts beneficial insects like bees.
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9. Lemongrass (Lemon Verbena)
Planting:
- Location: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-7.0)
- Watering: Water regularly, keep soil moist but not waterlogged
Care:
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 months
- Companion Plants: Citronella, lavender
Benefits:
Lemongrass contains citronella oil, which is an effective mosquito repellent.
Mosquito-Repelling Companion Planting
When it comes to creating an effective mosquito-repelling garden, certain plant combinations work especially well together. The key is to select plants that have complementary growing requirements and provide mutual benefits.
Plants like basil, citronella, and lavender are excellent choices for mosquito control. These herbs and flowers all thrive in full sun and well-draining soil conditions. By planting them together, they can create a synergistic effect – the strong scents of these plants work to deter mosquitoes from the surrounding area. Additionally, as they grow, their roots help to aerate the soil and improve drainage, further enhancing the growing environment.
On the other hand, plants like bee balm, lemon balm, and catnip prefer slightly more moist, well-draining soil and can even tolerate partial shade. These plants also have natural insect-repelling properties due to their fragrant foliage. By planting them alongside the sun-loving mosquito repellents, gardeners can create a diverse, multi-layered planting scheme that caters to a variety of growing needs while maximizing the pest-deterring benefits.
Garlic and floss flower (ageratum) make another excellent pairing for mosquito control. Both thrive in well-draining soil and require balanced fertilization. Garlic, in particular, is known for its strong scent that helps to ward off mosquitoes and other pests. The floss flower complements the garlic, adding colorful blooms to the mix while also contributing its own insect-repelling properties.
By strategically combining these companion plants, gardeners can create a harmonious and effective mosquito-repelling oasis. The varied growing requirements and complementary pest-deterring qualities of these plants work together to establish a thriving, low-maintenance garden that provides natural protection against annoying and potentially disease-carrying mosquitoes.
References:
Last update on 2024-11-04 at 20:22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
