16 Powerful Plants That Naturally Repel Bugs and Insects

Aromatic herbs and blooms work together to keep pests at bay for a calmer patio retreat.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 25, 2025

Aromatic herbs and blooms work together to keep pests at bay for a calmer patio retreat.

Bug season can transform outdoor relaxation into an uncomfortable experience, but selecting the right plants can help you reclaim your patio and garden naturally. By harnessing the aromatic oils and compounds found in specific herbs, flowers, and shrubs, you can create an effective barrier against pests—without resorting to chemical sprays. Below, explore the top plants proven to repel insects and discover how to use them in your landscape for both beauty and function.

Why Choose Plants to Repel Bugs?

Using plants as a natural form of pest control not only helps manage mosquitoes, flies, ants, aphids, and more—it also supports pollinators, enhances your garden’s appearance, and fosters a safer, healthier environment for pets and children. Most plants on this list are easy to grow, thrive in containers or garden beds, and can be incorporated as part of companion planting strategies to reduce overall pest populations.

Best Bug-Repellent Plants for Any Garden

The following plants have been shown to deter common garden pests through their scents, textures, or natural compounds.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Natural oils in basil repel mosquitoes and houseflies. Plant basil in pots near doorways, windows, or on patio tables for direct bug-fighting benefits. Snip leaves for cooking and rub the foliage on your skin as a gentle mosquito deterrent.
Repels: Mosquitoes, flies, and thrips.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Lavender’s soothing floral aroma deters moths, fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks while inviting bees and butterflies. Grow it in sunny beds or as a border plant along walkways.
Repels: Moths, fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): The strong, pine-like fragrance of rosemary keeps mosquitoes, cabbage moths, and carrot flies away. Containers help control growth for easy placement around patios.
Repels: Mosquitoes, cabbage moths, carrot flies.
Mint (Mentha spp.): Peppermint and spearmint are famously effective against ants, mosquitoes, and even spiders. Due to its vigorous growth, plant mint in containers to control spread.
Repels: Ants, mosquitoes, spiders, and flies.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): A tall tropical grass, lemongrass contains high levels of citronella oil—a main ingredient in many natural insect repellents. Plant it in pots on patios or garden borders.
Repels: Mosquitoes, flies.
Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus): Not to be confused with scented geraniums labeled as “citronella plants,” true citronella grass offers potent mosquito repellency when leaves are crushed or grown adjacent to seating areas.
Repels: Mosquitoes.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Chives deter aphids, Japanese beetles, and other destructive insects while adding edible zest to your meals.
Repels: Aphids, Japanese beetles.
Garlic (Allium sativum): Garlic’s pungent sulfur compounds naturally drive away aphids, root maggots, and cabbage worms. Plant near peppers, carrots, or tomatoes for best anti-pest benefits.
Repels: Aphids, mosquitoes, cabbage worms.
Onions (Allium cepa): Interplant onions with carrots and lettuce to drive away carrot flies and aphids. Onions also offer a mild deterrent for many common garden pests.
Repels: Carrot flies, aphids.
Sage (Salvia officinalis): Aromatic sage leaves help keep cabbage moths and beetles at bay, making it an ideal companion for brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli).
Repels: Cabbage moths, beetles.

Flowers That Keep Bugs Away

Many annuals and perennials not only beautify your space with vibrant color but also work as living pest control through their strong scents and unique chemical compounds.

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.): The distinct fragrance of marigolds deters mosquitoes, aphids, and even nematodes in the soil. Plant among vegetables or around borders for maximum effect. Some varieties can improve vegetable yields by deterring unwanted pests.
Repels: Mosquitoes, aphids, nematodes, and rabbits.
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.): These flowers contain pyrethrin, a natural compound often used in eco-friendly insect sprays. Chrysanthemums keep out ants, roaches, ticks, fleas, and more.
Repels: Ants, roaches, ticks, fleas, Japanese beetles.
Petunias (Petunia spp.): These easy-to-grow blooms physically trap pests on their sticky brat stamens and deter aphids, tomato hornworms, and leafhoppers. Petunias flourish in borders or containers and complement other pest-repelling plants.
Repels: Aphids, hornworms, leafhoppers, asparagus beetles.
Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus): Nasturtiums act as a “trap crop,” luring aphids, black bean aphids, and cabbage moths away from vegetables. They’re edible and thrive with minimal care. Plant them with beans, tomatoes, kale, and cabbage.
Repels (or traps): Aphids, cabbage moths, black bean aphids.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis): The aromatic oils from hyssop’s bushy flowers and leaves help repel mosquitoes and attract beneficial pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and moths.
Repels: Mosquitoes.
Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.): Scented varieties can repel mosquitoes, and their extract appears in several natural bug sprays; these are excellent in hanging baskets or borders.
Repels: Mosquitoes.
Common Lantana (Lantana camara): The essential oils in lantana leaves are claimed to deter mosquitoes and this plant thrives in heat and drought while attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Repels: Mosquitoes.
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare): While considered invasive in some areas, tansy’s foliage and flowers can be used (with caution) to repel mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and fleas.
Repels: Mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas.

Shrubs and Grasses for Insect Protection

Alliums (Allium spp.): Alliums such as garlic chives and ornamental onions exude sulfurous odors that deter aphids, carrot flies, and Japanese beetles. They look stunning in flower beds and require little care.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Beyond being a feline favorite, catnip contains nepetalactone, which has been shown to repel mosquitoes more effectively than DEET in some studies.

Companion Planting for Pest Control

Companion planting involves growing bug-repelling plants alongside vegetables and ornamentals to protect them from pests. Some companion pairings to consider:

Marigolds with tomatoes or peppers to reduce nematodes and aphid damage.
Chives and garlic with carrots or lettuce to keep away carrot flies and aphids.
Nasturtiums interplanted with beans, tomatoes, and cabbages to draw aphids away from vegetables.
Sage near cabbage-family crops to keep cabbage moths at bay.

Table: Plants and Their Pest-Repelling Power

Plant	Main Pests Repelled	Best Location
Basil	Mosquitoes, flies	Pots, garden beds, near seating
Lavender	Moths, mosquitoes, fleas	Borders, full sun
Marigolds	Aphids, nematodes, mosquitoes	Veggie beds, borders
Chrysanthemums	Ticks, roaches, fleas, ants	Borders, containers
Mint	Ants, mosquitoes, flies	Containers (to contain spread)
Petunias	Aphids, hornworms	Window boxes, borders
Nasturtiums	Aphids (trap crop)	With veggies, containers
Garlic	Aphids, mosquitoes, cabbage worms	Near root/leaf crops
Sage	Cabbage moths, beetles	With brassicas, borders
Citronella Grass	Mosquitoes	Pots, patios
Alliums	Aphids, carrot flies, beetles	Flower beds, veggie garden
Lemongrass	Mosquitoes, flies	Pots, borders
Hyssop	Mosquitoes	Beds, containers
Geraniums	Mosquitoes	Borders, baskets
Lantana	Mosquitoes	Hot, dry spots

How to Incorporate Insect-Repelling Plants in Your Garden

For best results, position bug-repelling plants:

In pots and containers surrounding outdoor living spaces or entrances
As borders along pathways and fences
Interspersed among vegetable beds as companions
In window boxes or hanging baskets to protect doors and windows

Be mindful of plant growth habits. For instance, mint and tansy can be invasive if planted directly in garden beds, so contain them in pots. Regularly harvest herbs to encourage bushier growth and to keep their scents fresh and strong.

FAQs: Plants That Repel Bugs

Which plant is best for repelling mosquitoes?

Multiple plants provide strong mosquito protection, including citronella grass, lemongrass, lavender, marigolds, catnip, and mint. Citronella is particularly effective and can be grown in pots for portability.

Can I use these plants indoors?

Yes, many bug-repellent plants like basil, lavender, mint, and chives thrive in sunny indoor spots. Just ensure containers have good drainage and sunlight.

How do companion plants repel pests?

Companion plants exude natural scents or chemicals that mask the presence of vulnerable crops or repel pests directly. Some, like nasturtium, draw pests away from preferred crops, while others create a barrier or release substances through roots and foliage.

Will these plants completely eliminate bugs from my garden?

While these plants significantly reduce pest activity, they won’t entirely eliminate insects. They should be part of an integrated pest management strategy, including regular garden care and occasionally using organic intervention if pest populations spike.

Are any of these plants toxic to pets?

Some bug-repelling plants, like chrysanthemums and tansy, can be toxic if ingested by cats or dogs. Always check pet safety guidelines and supervise animals near newly introduced plant species.

Tips for Maximum Pest Control

Regularly pinch, trim, or rub foliage of herbs like basil and lavender to release their scents.
Combine several bug-repellent species for a multilayered barrier, and rotate their placement each season for best effectiveness.
Integrate flowers and herbs in vegetable beds and ornamental displays to support both pest control and pollinator visits.
Use mulches and regular watering to keep plants healthy and more effective in bug prevention.

Conclusion

Incorporating insect-repelling plants not only safeguards your garden and outdoor living areas but also brings beauty, fragrance, and dual-purpose harvests into your hands. Whether you’re planting for flavor, flowers, or function, these versatile selections will help you naturally enjoy a pest-free environment throughout the season.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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