Do you like Mosquitoes? I know You don’t. In fact, no one will agree with this. This is because Mosquitoes are the carrier of some of the deadliest diseases causing the highest fatality rate in the world. Malaria and Dengue are two dangerous diseases mostly spread by mosquitoes.
Being a Gardener we are almost every time surrounded by these tiny killers. Mosquitoes are a big problem but do you know- Nature has provided some means to control these blood-sucking insects.
yes, I am talking about Perennial Plants that repel Mosquitoes. In fact, there is plenty of plant-available that actually works in keeping mosquitoes out of your garden.
Today we will discuss some of the Perennial plants that actually repel Mosquitoes.
Before Starting the discussion- Do you know what are Perennial Plants?– Plants that can grow for years are generally termed as Perennials. Actually, Once grown these plants can come back every year without much effort. Sometimes they shed leaves or even the branches but in the season they regrow on their own.
13 Perennial Plants That Repel Mosquitoes
- Bee Balm (Horsemint)
- Citronella
- Lemon balm
- Lemon Grass
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Roman Chamomile
- Chives
- Cilantro (Coriander)
- Sage
- Fennel
- Garlic Chives &
- All type of Mints
Keep reading for details… else you should also read Gardening of Fresh Mint.
Roman Chamomile
All varieties of Chamomile are somehow effective on Mosquitoes. These herbs are specifically grown for their edible and medicinal purpose other than as mosquito repellants.
The flowers of chamomile are really beautiful. The white flowers contain a mild scent that usually identifies the chamomile variety. The aroma of chamomile is very effective in getting rid of many insects especially mosquitoes.
Other benefits of chamomile include various uses in cosmetic and herbal medicine. Especially the chamomile herbal tea is quite popular these days. The incense is very effective in controlling hypertension and anxiety.
Not all varieties of chamomile are perennial, so if you want them for years in your garden as mosquito repelling plants then always check labels before purchase. Do ask the seller for the quality and nature of the plant. Usually, Chamomile is a moderate temperature plant. It generally blooms in sunny season i.e., more toward the start and end of summer.
Especially, Roman chamomille comes back every year in summer. Once you grow it in your garden afterward you need not worry about replanting these beautiful flowers. It is one of the best Perennial chamomile variety.
Chives
It is interesting to say that chives can be grown as perineal plants. Also, the pungent onion smell keeps mosquitoes away.
When we say Chives, the usual feeling that comes first in our mind is the hard onion smell- many of you may not like it at all. But do you know the not all chives smell the same?
Actually, the blooms of chives have a very sweet and attractive incense. you can even find bees and butterflies hovering near these flowers. The smell and flavor that signifies chive come from its stem.
Using chive paste or in the crushed form to repel mosquito along with several other insects is very common. The sharp smell is due to the natural defense mechanism that chive uses to protect itself from insects.
In general form, chive is an edible herb, popular for its sweet tangy smell and crunchy texture. It is an obvious green item in our kitchen. It is best served as a part of salad on the breakfast plate. It’s healthy and it’s green.
So you can try chive for dinner and if mosquitoes are troubling you- then give them a sweet kiss.
Cilantro (Coriander)
Cilantro or Coriander is always at the top of the edible summer herbs. Do you know these too can be grown perennial with little effort?
Those who know what cilantro is- are definitely familiar with its strong aroma. From Salads to curry, it has a variety of use. Especially in Asian Countries, Coriander is an extensively used spice. For your Knowledge- Coriander as a spice is the round seed that grows in a cilantro plant.
Interestingly, the smell of cilantro leaves is different from the odor of the dried spice. Despite all in both forms it is effective in removing mosquitoes along with several other insects.
Unknown Facts: In Ancient times Coriander was used as a revitalizing herb especially for improving physical stamina. Another important fact is that coriander is still an important part of Ayurveda to cure digestive problems.
TIPS: – Before growing cilantro or coriander, you should first decide the purpose i.e., whether you want fresh leaves or seeds. Accordingly, you should select the varieties. You can also ask the seed seller for help or read the labels on the seed packet carefully.
Citronella
Citronella is widely used for preparing mosquito repellant cream and incense sticks. Even most of the herbal mosquito repellant sprays contain extracts of citronella plant leaves.
Citronella is a name common for various plants is the same category. Mostly these plants are wild in nature. Citronella is fit to grow both in containers and in garden beds.
In a favorable climate, it can attain a maximum height of 5-6 feet. It is comfortable with well-drained soil and can tolerate mild frost zones.
you can even grow citronella indoor to control mosquitoes and several other insects. Always remember for healthy growth place the plant near sunlight. Shift the container in the partial shade after the first frost.
Citronella plants are generally perennial in nature, so if you grow them once successfully- then these plants will survive for several years.
You can find Citronella seeds but I personally recommend to use healthy sapling to grow in a container or in your garden.
Fennel
Fennel is another very sweet and fragrant spice herb. The slender stem with tiny leaves and beautiful flower are significant in identifying this herb.
The strong aroma makes the mosquitoes hate it. I actually don’t know why but, whenever I use it as mouth freshener or so, I have noticed no mosquito around me even they don’t come near my freshly grown fennel plants.
Technically fennel is not perennial but if you leave them to bloom and make seed then they can thrive for years in your garden. Just like I did several years back- Actually, I had placed a few seeds in the flower bed in my garden and since then fennels grow there happily.
Fennel is used as both spices as well as an herb. The sweet flavor and aroma make it ideal for mouth freshener. In fact, most Fresheners contains fennel extracts.
Facts: – Fennel as a spice works great with almost any type of food item. You can use it with deserts or in chicken curry or with curd, the list goes on and on. What is your favorite food item with fennel? Answer in the comment.
Tip: – If you are suffering from bad breath odor then try chewing fennel seeds for a week. It is 100% tried and tested, I can assure It works.
Garlic Chives
Garlic Chives works similarly as any other chive. Only the significant difference is the color of flowers.
Actually, The blooms of garlic chives are white whereas most other chives are blue or purple in color. The white color of the garlic chive makes it easy to identify.
Other than the color, the odor of garlic chive is also very significant. In fact, just as onion, Garlic chives also has its signature smell that can be identified from distant.
The strong smell of chives definitely keeps mosquitoes away but do you actually like such strong pungent odor to carry with you- I doubt.
Garlic Chive contains compounds of sulfur and several other insects replant are there that are actually very effective in getting rid of pests fungus and most important the mosquitoes.
These Chives are again not perennial but you can grow them anytime in your garden or in containers. Garlic chives bloom in summer, afterward, it develops seeds. If you don’t collect these seeds then it can regrow into chives in next season technically.
Lavender
Lavender is a popular flower. It is used worldwide for its rich aroma and medicinal qualities.
It is used to make cosmetics, deodorants, perfumes, room fresheners, incense sticks along with insect repellants.
The mild sweet aroma of lavender is very soothing for headaches and hypertension. In fact, it is tested that using lavender sprays in the bedroom helps in reducing stress and controls anxiety.
Lavender tea is also very popular these days. It is good to taste and effective in controlling sweet and fat in your diet.
One of the best use of lavender is for repelling mosquitoes. You can try this, just rub 4-5 flowers in your hand and face and walk in the garden. you can use lavender oil or any cosmetics with its extract as an alternative. I can assure you that no mosquito will come across your way.
In fact, lavender is one of the best flowering plants that repel several insects like spiders, ticks, mites, and most important mosquitoes.
Gowing Lavender is easy. You can grow these in contains as well as in flower beds. You just need some quality seeds and healthy soil to grow lavender.
Always remember Lavender needs sunlight to bloom so never place the plant in complete shade or dark.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a delicious edible herb. It looks similar to mint but has a significant difference in its odor.
It has a sharp tangy lemony smell. The texture of the leaves is crunchy and tastes something between sweet and salty.
The strong aroma of the leaves is really refreshing to mind but for insects and mosquitoes, it is unbearable.
It is very effective as a mosquito repellant. You can even grow lemon balm in a small pot and place it near your bed. I think you will like the smell. Without much effort, you can get rid of mosquitoes.
Whenever needed just rub few leaves and release the fragrance in the room. The extract of lemon balm can be used with bathing soap and massage oils.
You can either use seeds or stem cuttings to grow lemon balm. It doesn’t require much effort and space. It is not very tall so you can grow it vertically over other pots.
Lemon balm can be easily grown as perennial plants. In fact, once grown these plant doesn’t require much attention and care.
Lemon Grass
Yes, it really smells like lemon. The strong lemony tangy smell is an identification of lemongrass.
Sometimes you have to crush or rub it to smell but most of the time it can be easily identified from distant.
The best use of lemongrass is as a herbal tea. It is healthy and it is very tasty. I personally like it a lot.
The aroma of lemongrass keeps mosquitoes away from you. Crushing leaves or mixing it with some oil can enhance the effect. Actually, oil traps the aroma and the effect can last long for hours.
It is very easy to grow. Lemongrass doesn’t require much care and attention. It is the best perennial plant to control mosquitoes. Once grown can continue to grow for years in your garden.
It loves well-drained slightly acidic soil. Full sun is required for healthy growth but you can easily grow lemongrass inside or in shade.
Bee Balm (Horsemint)
Bee balm commonly known as Horsemint is another perennial flowering plant that repels mosquitoes.
Other than mosquitoes it is effective in controlling spiders and bugs in the garden.
You can easily grow bee balm in containers but I would recommend it to grow in the garden. They require some space and can grow quickly so large open space is good for horsemint.
It is also a herb, so you can use some of these as food items.
The flowers of bee balm are purple in color and contain mild aroma. In fact, the leaves contain a stronger smell than the flowers.
Tips: – Horsemint requires well-drained nutrient-rich soil with adequate water supply. It cannot survive in completely dry soil. Water the plant regularly, especially when grown in containers.
Pruning is also very important with bee balm. I recommend to prune regularly before the first bloom, this will maximize the number of blooms. Regular fertilization or pest control is not very necessary with bee balm.
Peppermint
Another mint variety, The peppermint. As the name suggests it has a very strong pepper-like aroma, not so spicy but like that.
The flavor and aroma are good for us but for insects, it is too strong. That’s why Peppermint is very effective in controlling mosquitoes along with other insects.
Peppermint is very delicious and used in a variety of food items. Even you can try them with pickles, I tried once- it tastes great.
It is also used with oils to make fragrant sprays, especially for cooking purposes. You can use the same as a mosquito repellant.
You can grow peppermint from seeds as well as from stem cuttings. No specialized knowledge is required for this purpose.
Just well-drained nutrient-rich soil and some water are good for this purpose. Regular watering is necessary with peppermint growing.
Sage
Sage is another herb that can control mosquito. It has a mild scent that soothes our mind and helps in the relaxation of the muscle fibers.
The smell of sage is effective in controlling mosquitoes and several other insects like bugs and spiders.
You can grow sage in containers as well as in the garden. No extra effort is required to grow it in pots. The average height of sage is 2-3.5 feet in favorable climatic conditions.
Burning sage leaves is an effective way to control ticks and mosquitoes from your backyard.
Facts: – Sage is especially known to attract hummingbirds. so. if you like these tiny beautiful birds then growing sage in your garden is definitely a good idea.
Mints
Mints, in general, is a family of many members. most of them have a strong aromatic fragrance. That’s why I recommend all of them as effective mosquito repelling plants.
These plants are really easy to grow and maintain. They require highly nourished well-drained soil. So you can grow them in pots and containers easily.
You may have to crush or mince them to get actually effect. I would say use them with other aromatic oils if you want to keep mosquitoes away from yourself.
Mints can be easily grown perennial, just care for them in cold and provide some warmth and care.
That’s all you have to do to get rid of mosquitoes in an organic herbal way. Hope Today’s list of Perennial plants that repel mosquitoes is helpful to you. Please share your views and also let me know if I missed something. Comment anything anytime.
Stay Healthy and Go green!
