Mosquito repellent plants for your garden
Many of us try to escape the summertime heat by retreating to our gardens. However the great outdoors might not seem so great because it is rife with many annoying, even dangerous pests. One such pest is the ubiquitous mosquito. Mosquitoes are not only bothersome when they buzz around your ears but the results from their bites can range from bumps and rashes to diseases such as malaria, dengue and the dreaded and sometimes fatal West Nile virus.
But we don't have to be at the mercy of these vile little blood suckers. In an effort to keep these pesky creatures at bay some of us apply potentially dangerous and sometimes ineffective insect repellents to our skin. However, there are certain plants that we can grow in our gardens that work great to repel mosquitoes without the potentially harmful effects of these commercial products (and without the stickiness).
The Mosquito Plant comes immediately to mind. This broad leaf lemony scented plant is a combination of African Geranium and Chinese Citronella. As the name suggest, this geranium hybrid was genetically engineered by a Dutch botanist specifically for the purpose of repelling mosquitoes. The Mosquito Plant can be incorporated into your garden quite quickly as it is easy to grow, whether in pots or in the ground, especially in the warmer seasons. It thrives in full sun and mosquitoes just hate the smell.
Citronella Grass is another great mosquito repellent. This grass, native to Southeast Asia, is a coarse, clump-forming, tropical grass that can grow 5-6 ft tall. Like the Mosquito Plant it thrives in full sun and needs a long, warm growing season to flourish. The Citronella grass is the main source for Citronella oil that is used in candles and sprays which are sold commercially to ward off mosquitoes. A common name for Citronella Grass is Lemon Grass because of the strong lemon scent that it gives off. Other common names include Barbed Wire Grass, Silky Heads and Fever Grass. In addition to warding off pests Citronella Grass is widely used as an herb in Asian and Caribbean cooking. It is also used by aroma therapy practitioners to calm the mind. So by growing Citronella Grass you can rid yourself of pests and relax in your garden at the same time.
Marigolds are mostly known for their hardiness and beautiful year-round blooms. The Marigold plant comes in a wide variety of colors but mostly in bright orange, yellow, white and pink. They also come in different sizes. These plants are very prolific and also easy to grow as they can be propagated from either seeds or cuttings. But it is their pungent odor which most pests, including mosquitoes, hate. So in addition to providing a colorful year-round bloom to your garden Marigolds also help to rid your garden of mosquitoes. Marigolds grow rather quickly under the right conditions. As long as they get sufficient sunlight and water they will bloom continuously and be a great addition to any garden.
Rosemary is a perennial herb that has a fine needle-like foliage that produces a highly aromatic scent, pleasant to humans but not to mosquitoes. So in addition to being a popular and tasty culinary herb, the fragrant Rosemary makes an excellent mosquito repellent. Rosemary is a native of the Mediterranean, and it likes hot, dry weather. This herb is best grown from cuttings as growing from seeds may prove difficult. It requires sun and well-drained soil in order to thrive in your garden because if the plant is kept too moist it is prone to develop a powdery mildew. If you live in colder climates don't worry, Rosemary can also be grown in pots. Rosemary oil is very effective for pest and disease control and the plant is rarely bothered by insects. Like Citronella, Rosemary oil is a very popular ingredient in aroma therapy massage products as well a culinary herb for kitchen use. The fragrant flowers and stems are utilized in potpourri blends, perfumes, scented baths or herb vinegars, and the pleasant aroma makes it a lovely edging plant or short hedge in your garden. Most importantly it keeps the mosquitoes at bay.
Catnip is actually a perennial herb of the mint family, and is a distant "cousin" to Marijuana, Basil, Oregano, and Spearmint. This plant comes in many different varieties including Camphor, Greek, Lemon and Catmint each with its own distinct odor. Apart from making your cat frisky for a few minutes, (the chemical ingredient nepetalactone in Catnip is what triggers this frolicsome response in cats), Catnip ranks high on the list of natural insect repellents and therefore also makes a great repellent for mosquitoes. In a 2001 study on common Catnip by The Iowa State University Department of Entomology ,it was noted that small doses of Catnip oil were as effective at repelling mosquitoes as 10 times larger doses of DEET (which was used at typical recommended application rates for commercial repellents). Like most herbs, Catnip prefers well drained soil and plenty of sunlight. So think about planting some Catnip in a little corner of your garden. Not only will you get rid of mosquitoes, this European native produces a beautiful blue flower that you will enjoy. Your cat will thank you too.
Horsemint produces a gorgeous white and lavender bloom. This annual wildflower also produces and aromatic citrus scent which is similar to Citronella. While Horsemint may attract bees, birds and butterflies mosquitoes are repelled by the aroma. Horsemint is another easy to grow plant. The Horsemint plant will flower from May through July and if watered sufficiently it will flower through the end of summer or early fall. However it must reseed itself in order to grow and bloom the following year. One simple rule if you chose to grow Horsemint is not to let the soil dry out between watering as it requires consistently moist soil.
And last but by no means least; you may complement your garden with some lovely blue, lavender, pink and white Ageratum. This plant is quite hardy and will produce a profusion of flowers for you to feast your eyes upon. In addition to being drought tolerant, the Ageratum does quite well in both average and poor soil. Ageratum blooms look wonderful in your garden as they are among the prettiest garden blooms, flourishing well in full sun or partial shade. They can be grown in pots as well as garden beds and they also make terrific looking borders. Ageratum smells great to you but will send mosquitoes running or flying as the case may be.
Growing these plants will not just help rid your garden and immediate surroundings of potentially harmful insects in a safe and environmentally friendly way but they will make your garden look great too. So what are you waiting for, start planting and in no time you will be enjoying your garden again, free from mosquitoes.