15 Plants that repel Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are the most annoying pest especially during the summertime. Here's a few plants that help repel these unwanted bugs, and a few other tips for keeping them away.

In an effort to fully disclose, this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase something, we receive a commission. For more information, please see our disclosure page.

In this guide
-best plants to repel mosquitoes -more tips for getting rid of mosquitoes

Best Plants to repel Mosquitoes

If mosquitoes are especially horrible around your home consider planting these:

1. Citronella
2. Lemon Grass
3. Confetti Lantana
4. Lavender
5. Lemon Thyme
6. Bee Balm Monarda
7. Cinnamon Basil
8. Rosemary
9. American Beautyberry
10. Catnip
11. Marigold
12. Mint
13. Fennel
14. Eucalyptus Tree
15. Lopezia Racemosa

1. Citronella

Citronella is one of the most common plants when it comes to keeping mosquitoes away.

• Zones 1-8: annual (will only last one season)
• Zones 9-11: perennial (will grow every year)

2. Lemon Grass

Lemon grass is an ornamental grass that also helps act as a natural mosquito repellant.

• Zones 1-8, 11: annual (will only last one season)
• Zones 9-10: perennial (will grow every year)

3. Confetti Lantana

Confetti Lantana is an impressive flowering bush that attract butterflies and hummingbirds while repelling mosquitoes!

• Zones 1-8: annual (will only last one season)
• Zones 9-11: perennial (will grow every year)

4. Lavender

Lavender is mostly grown for the sweet aromatic smell, but this plant will also help keep those pesky mosquitoes away.

• Woody Perennial (will regrow every year, but make sure to prune before winter)

5. Lemon Thyme

If you have an herb garden, you may already be growing lemon thyme, but if not, you should be!

• Perennial (grows back every year)

6. Bee Balm Monarda

Bee Balm Monarda is another fragrant flowering plant that attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies while also repelling mosquitoes.

• Zones 1-3: Annual (will only last one season)
• Zones 4-9: Perennial (grows back every year)
• Zones 10-11: Annual (will only last one season)

7. Cinnamon Basil

This easy to grow herb has a stunning flower, but also keeps many garden pests away (including mosquitoes).

• Zones 1-8: Annual (will only last one season)
• Zones 9-11: Perennial (grows back every year)

8. Rosemary

Rosemary is another herb that many people grow indoors so it will last longer than one season, but if grown outdoors, it can be used as a natural mosquito repellant.

• Zones 1-6: Annual (will only last one season)
• Zones 7-10: Perennial (grows back every year)
• Zone 11: Annual (will only last one season)

9. American Beautyberry

This beautyberry bush is another beautiful plant you could add to your landscape that helps repel mosquitoes.

• Zones 1-5: Annual (will only last one season)
• Zones 6-10: Perennial (grows back every year)
• Zone 11: Annual (will only last one season)

10. Catnip

Catnip most known for making cats act strange, this herb will also help keep the mosquitoes away.

• Zones 1-2: Annual (will only last one season)
• Zones 3-9: Perennial (grows back every year)
• Zones 10-11: Annual (will only last one season)

11. Marigold

Marigolds are vibrant orange flowers that have long been known to keep garden pests insects away. Most people use them to border a vegetable garden, but they will also keep mosquitoes away.

• Annuals: (grow for one season)
• Self-sow seeds- marigolds self sow seeds in the garden which can grow next season, which is why they are often thought to be perennials.

12. Mint

Another popular herb to grow is mint, and while there are many uses for mint leaves, the plant will help keep mosquitoes away.

• Zones 1-2: Annual (will only grow one season)
• Zones 3-8: Perennial (grows every year)
• Zones 9-11: Annual (will only grow one season)

13. Fennel

Fennel is a member of the carrot family, and many people use it in soups. In the garden, Fennel is also a natural mosquito repellant.

• Zones 1-3: Annual (will only grow one season)
• Zones 4-9: Perennial (grows every year)
• Zones 10-11: Annual (will only grow one season)

14. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is another aromatic plant that will help repel mosquitoes, but depending on where you live, it might need to be a tree you plant in a pot and bring indoors during winter.

• Zones 1-7: Annual (grow for one season, or plant it in a large pot you can bring indoors)
• Zones 8-10: Perennial (this tree will continue to grow)
• Zone 11: Annual (grow for one season, or plant it in a large pot you can bring indoors)

15. Lopezia Racemosa

This tropical plant is native to Mexico and Central America, it is mostly grown as an annual. It will also self seed like marigolds so it has a chance to grow new plants another season.

• Annual

More tips for repelling mosquitoes

• Make sure to dump out any standing water in buckets, barrels, etc.
• Add these mosquito dunks to ponds and fountains.
• Use a bug zapper (this one that has a scent you can add to attract and kill mosquitoes.)
• Add some mosquito repellant fuel to your tiki torch.

You might also enjoy reading: how to get rid of gnats in houseplants