by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: July 13, 2010

Five mosquito-repelling plants for the garden

Several flowers, herbs and plants can actually help to keep mosquitoes away from gardens, decks, patios and porches.

By employing mosquito-repelling plants for outdoor living, individuals may minimize their use of artificial insect repellants. Most bug sprays, roll-ons and lotions contain diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), a chemical that may be dangerous to children, pregnant women and perhaps everyone. For this reason, many people opt for a more eco-friendly solution to mosquito repelling.

Here are five of the most popular and effective mosquito-repelling plants.

Mosquito-Repelling Plants: Citronella Grass

Citronella grass is the natural source of citronella oil, which is used in mosquito-repellant candles. In its original plant form, this vegetation can be helpful in keeping mosquitoes away.

Mosquito-Repelling Plants: Catnip

A favorite with felines, catnip is a popular garden herb, although mosquitoes find it offensive. Catnip can spread quite aggressively in the garden, though, so this mosquito-repellant plant is best displayed in pots than flower beds or landscape plantings.

Mosquito-Repelling Plants: Marigolds

Marigolds are popular and colorful annuals, which grow best in direct sunlight. However, marigolds also repel mosquitoes. In addition, marigolds deter deer, rabbits and many other potential pests in the garden.

Decorative and useful, marigolds may thrive in garden beds, patio pots, window boxes or other plantings to provide color and protect against mosquitoes.

Mosquito-Repelling Plants: Rosemary

Rosemary is a useful culinary herb, this fragrant plant also sends mosquitoes packing. This popular plant may be grown in containers or in garden beds. In fact, rosemary may be wintered indoors and returned to the garden in warmer seasons. Rosemary is helpful for gourmet cooking, but it also prevents mosquitoes from coming around.

Mosquito-Repelling Plants: Scented Geraniums

Often tagged as mosquito plants, scented geraniums are available in many flavors. Popular varieties include citronella, lemon and peppermint. Of course, the citronella scented geraniums are usually most effective as mosquito deterrents. Scented geraniums are annuals, producing tiny colorful blossoms (usually in light purple, pink or yellow).

What other plants may repel mosquitoes?

Several additional plants, both wild and cultivated, have been rumored to repel mosquitoes as well. Avid gardeners may choose to experiment with these various herbs, wildflowers and other flora to see which plants repel mosquitoes best.

Plants which may contain mosquito-repelling qualities include basil, bee balm (or bergamot), cedar, clove, eucalyptus, garlic, lavender, lemon balm, mugwort, onions, peppermint, pineapple weed, sagebrush, snowbrush, sweet fern, tea tree, vanilla and wormwood.

Mosquito-repelling plants may provide personal protection against insects.

Mosquito-the leaves of many mosquito-repellant plants offer temporary natural mosquito protection to those who rub the juices directly on their skin.

Learn more about this author, Linda Ann Nickerson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.