Plants that repel mosquitoes typically do so because of the natural compounds they produce. Many of these plants contain strong-smelling essential oils such as citronella, eugenol, linalool, and menthol. These compounds interfere with a mosquito’s ability to detect carbon dioxide and body odors, which they rely on to find humans. As a result, the insects are less likely to land or linger near these plants.
Another important property is the intensity of a plant’s fragrance. Mosquito-repelling plants often have aromatic leaves that release scent when crushed, brushed, or exposed to heat. This is why simply having the plant nearby may not always be enough—light handling or airflow helps disperse the oils into the surrounding area. Plants with soft, oily leaves tend to be especially effective in releasing these protective scents.
Texture and growth habit can also play a role. Some mosquito-repelling plants have dense foliage that creates a microenvironment less attractive to insects. Others produce compounds that act as mild natural insecticides, discouraging mosquitoes from resting or breeding nearby. While these effects are generally subtle compared to chemical repellents, they contribute to an overall reduction in mosquito presence.
Common plants known for repelling mosquitoes include citronella grass, lavender, basil, mint, and marigold. Each of these plants produces its own unique blend of aromatic oils that mosquitoes tend to avoid. For example, citronella is widely used in candles and sprays, while lavender and mint are valued for both their pleasant scent and insect-repelling qualities. These plants are often grown in gardens, patios, or near windows and doorways.
Plants to Ward off Mosquitoes
Citronella Grass
The most well-known mosquito-repelling plant, citronella grass contains citronellal and geraniol — the same compounds found in commercial repellent sprays. Its strong lemony scent masks the odors that attract mosquitoes, making it highly effective when planted around patios and outdoor seating areas.
Lavender
Lavender’s beautiful purple blooms carry a calming scent for humans but a deeply unpleasant one for mosquitoes. The linalool compound in its essential oils disrupts the insects’ ability to detect hosts. It’s drought-tolerant, easy to grow, and doubles as a lovely garden ornamental.
Marigold
Marigolds contain pyrethrum, a compound used in many commercial insect repellents. Their pungent scent deters not only mosquitoes but also aphids and whiteflies. Plant them along garden borders or in pots near doorways for best results.
Catnip
Research from Iowa State University found that catnip is up to ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET. The active compound, nepetalactone, is highly volatile and releases into the air easily, creating an invisible repellent barrier around the plant.
Rosemary
This aromatic culinary herb produces a woody, pine-like scent that mosquitoes find offensive. Rosemary thrives in hot, dry climates and can be shaped into hedges or border plants. Burning a few sprigs on the grill while cooking outdoors also releases its repellent oils into the air.
Basil
Unlike most repellent plants, basil releases its insect-deterring compounds without needing to be crushed or bruised. The strong, spicy scent of compounds like estragole and linalool keeps mosquitoes at bay. Pot it near windows, doorways, or on the dining table for dual-purpose use.
Peppermint
Peppermint’s intensely fresh menthol scent is intolerable to mosquitoes and many other insects. Crushed peppermint leaves can even be rubbed directly on the skin for temporary personal protection. It spreads quickly, so growing it in containers is advisable.
Lemon Balm
A member of the mint family, lemon balm emits a strong lemon fragrance loaded with citronellal. Studies show it can significantly reduce mosquito landings in treated areas. It’s easy to grow, spreads vigorously, and can also be used in teas and cooking.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is the plant source of citronella oil, making it one of the most powerful natural mosquito deterrents. It thrives in warm, sunny climates and can grow into large, ornamental clumps. It’s also widely used in cooking, especially in Southeast Asian cuisine.
Eucalyptus
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is one of the few plant-based repellents officially recommended by the CDC. Eucalyptus trees emit a strong medicinal scent that confuses and deters mosquitoes. The oil from the leaves is also used in natural repellent formulations.
Geranium (Pelargonium)
Scented geraniums, particularly the lemon-scented variety (Pelargonium citrosum), are often marketed as the “mosquito plant.” They contain citronellol and geraniol, both powerful repellents. They thrive in containers and add vibrant color to outdoor spaces.
Pennyroyal
One of the most potent plants in the mint family for repelling insects, pennyroyal has been used since ancient times to ward off fleas and mosquitoes. Its strong medicinal scent is released naturally into the air. Note that it can be toxic to pets, so plant with caution.
Sage
Burning dried sage (smudging) is a particularly effective way to repel mosquitoes outdoors. The smoke carries repellent compounds that drive insects away from the area. As a garden plant, its aromatic foliage also offers some passive protection.
Thyme
Thyme contains thymol and carvacrol, compounds with proven insect-repelling properties. One study found that burning thyme leaves offered 85% protection from mosquitoes for up to 90 minutes. It also works well as low ground cover in sunny garden beds.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Also known as wild bergamot, bee balm emits a strong oregano-like fragrance that repels mosquitoes while simultaneously attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Crushing or rubbing the leaves releases even more of its potent essential oils.
Allium
The entire allium family — including ornamental alliums, onions, garlic, and chives — releases sulfur compounds that mosquitoes and many garden pests dislike intensely. Tall ornamental alliums with their globe-shaped purple flowers make a striking and functional addition to any garden.
Garlic
Garlic’s sulfurous compounds, particularly allicin, are a powerful deterrent to mosquitoes and other insects. Some gardeners also spray diluted garlic water around their yards for added protection. Eating garlic may even cause your skin to emit a subtle scent that repels biting insects.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums produce pyrethrin, a natural insecticide so effective it forms the basis of many commercial bug sprays and household insect repellents. Planting them around the home creates a natural barrier, and dried chrysanthemum flowers can be used as a slow-burning natural repellent.
Lantana
Lantana’s flowers are visually stunning, but to mosquitoes, their fragrance is repulsive. Studies have shown that lantana essential oil can reduce mosquito attraction significantly. The plant thrives in hot, sunny conditions and is particularly common in tropical and subtropical gardens.
Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia)
Rather than just repelling mosquitoes, pitcher plants trap and digest them. Their tubular leaves fill with digestive liquid that lures, traps, and breaks down insects, including mosquito larvae. They’re a fascinating carnivorous addition to moist, boggy garden areas.
Venus Flytrap
Another carnivorous option, the Venus flytrap actively captures and consumes mosquitoes and other small insects. While not a passive repellent, it physically reduces mosquito populations in the immediate area. It requires high humidity and slightly acidic soil to thrive.
Wormwood (Artemisia)
Wormwood and its relatives — including mugwort and silver mound — contain absinthin and other bitter compounds that are highly repellent to mosquitoes and other pests. The silvery foliage is also decorative, adding texture and contrast to garden beds.
Feverfew
This daisy-like herb has been used medicinally for centuries, but it’s also an underrated mosquito repellent. Its strong, slightly bitter scent comes from parthenolide and camphor compounds that insects find deeply unpleasant. It self-seeds readily and is very easy to maintain.
Clove
The strong, spicy aroma of clove plants is anathema to mosquitoes. Clove essential oil is used in many natural repellent products, and the plant itself creates a powerful olfactory barrier. In tropical climates, a clove bush near a seating area can dramatically reduce biting insects.
Floss Flower (Ageratum)
Floss flower produces coumarin, a chemical that is widely used in commercial mosquito repellents. While the plant should not be rubbed on skin due to the concentration of the compound, simply having it growing in the garden creates a passive deterrent effect around the area.
Nodding Onion
This ornamental native wildflower belongs to the allium family and shares its sulfur-based mosquito-repelling properties. It’s low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and its drooping pink blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds while deterring mosquitoes.
Snowbrush (Ceanothus)
Snowbrush releases strong nitrogen-rich compounds from its leaves and flowers that mosquitoes avoid. It’s a tough, drought-resistant shrub that works well as a natural fence or windbreak in drier climates, offering passive protection over a wide area.
Stone Root (Collinsonia canadensis)
Stone root is a native North American plant whose leaves and roots produce a strong lemony, turpentine-like scent. Mosquitoes find this scent highly repellent. It grows well in shaded woodland gardens and also has a long history of use in herbal medicine.
Tansy
Tansy is a hardy perennial herb with button-like yellow flowers that has historically been used to repel fleas, flies, and mosquitoes. It contains thujone, a volatile compound that is toxic to many insects. It can spread aggressively, so it’s best contained in pots.
Lemon Thyme
A variety of common thyme with a distinctly citrusy fragrance, lemon thyme combines the repellent properties of both thyme and lemon-scented plants. Crushing its leaves releases a burst of lemon-herbal scent that keeps mosquitoes at bay. It also makes a fragrant ground cover.
Lemon Verbena
With one of the most intensely lemon-scented foliage of any plant, lemon verbena contains high concentrations of citral and limonene — compounds that mosquitoes strongly avoid. It grows into a large, shrubby plant in warm climates and can be trimmed to release its scent near seating areas.
American Beautyberry
The leaves of the American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) contain callicarpenal and intermedeol, compounds found to be as effective as DEET in some studies. Crushing a few leaves and rubbing them on exposed skin provides a natural and pleasant-smelling personal repellent.
Tea Tree
Tea tree’s strong antiseptic and medicinal aroma, driven by terpinen-4-ol, is highly effective at repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects. Growing tea tree bushes near outdoor areas provides passive protection, and its oil is a common ingredient in natural repellent products.
Turpentine Bush (Ericameria laricifolia)
This drought-tolerant desert shrub releases a powerful resinous, turpentine-like aroma from its tiny leaves that mosquitoes and flies find unbearable. Planted along pathways or near gathering areas, it acts as a natural aromatic shield in warm, arid climates.
Mexican Marigold (Tagetes erecta)
The Mexican marigold has a far stronger scent than its common counterpart, making it even more effective as a mosquito deterrent. It also repels nematodes in the soil, making it a double-duty companion plant. Its bold orange and yellow blooms add striking color to any garden.
Oswego Tea (Wild Bergamot)
Closely related to bee balm, Oswego tea produces an intensely aromatic foliage rich in thymol and carvacrol. These compounds deter mosquitoes effectively while the cheerful red and pink flowers draw in hummingbirds. It’s a beautiful and functional native garden plant.
Lemon-Scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora)
This tall Australian tree is the source of oil of lemon eucalyptus, the CDC-approved natural repellent. Its bark and leaves release powerful citronellal compounds that mask human scent from mosquitoes. In warmer climates, it makes a dramatic, fragrant landscape tree.
Mint (General Varieties)
All members of the mint family — spearmint, apple mint, chocolate mint, and more — contain menthol and various volatile oils that mosquitoes find repellent. Planting mint along garden edges or in pots near windows and doors creates an aromatic barrier that also smells wonderful to humans.
Wild Bergamot
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a native prairie herb with a strongly spicy-oregano scent that effectively repels mosquitoes and other biting insects. It’s incredibly hardy, drought-resistant once established, and its lavender-pink flower clusters are beloved by native pollinators.
Neem Tree
The neem tree is one of nature’s most powerful insect repellents. Its leaves, bark, and seeds contain azadirachtin, a compound that disrupts mosquito reproduction and feeding. Neem oil is widely used in organic insect repellents, and the tree itself offers broad-canopy shade while keeping mosquitoes away.