Keep Your Patio Pest-Free This Summer With These 5 Potted Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

There’s nothing better than enjoying a delicious al fresco meal on a warm summer evening. But if your backyard is anything like mine, it’s full of unwanted dinner guests who want to put you on the menu instead. I’m talking about the outdoor diner’s nemesis: mosquitoes.

If you’re not excited about soaking yourself in bug spray every time you want to enjoy your patio, then potted plants that repel mosquitoes are the answer to your outdoor dining woes. Though citronella geraniums—often called mosquito plants—are marketed as repelling these irritating insects, studies have shown they have no repellent effects.

Instead of wasting your money on a mosquito plant this summer, try one or more of these beautiful and effective potted plants to repel mosquitoes on your patio naturally.

Best Mosquito-Repellent Potted Plants

Don’t let mosquitoes bite you while you try to enjoy a bite to eat outdoors this summer. Grow a container full of plants that will get rid of mosquitoes naturally. Here are the best potted plants to repel mosquitoes and keep pests away from your patio.

1. Lemongrass

An analysis of over 60 studies that looked at how long different plant essential oils repelled mosquitoes, found that lemongrass kept pesky pests away for 40 minutes. That makes lemongrass one of the best potted plants to repel mosquitoes.

It also makes a deliciously fresh addition to summer dishes. Add it to Asian-inspired meals or brew lemongrass plants to make a tasty herbal tea. Start plants at home with high-quality non-GMO lemongrass seeds from the Gardening Know How Shop.

2. Rosemary

In that same group of studies, rosemary repelled mosquitoes for 15 minutes. Though the repellent qualities didn’t last quite as long as lemongrass, you can grow a combination of these potted plants to keep mosquitoes away more effectively. Plant herbs together in one container to create an aromatic display that doubles as an edible garden.

The other way to increase the potency of mosquito-repellent plants is to crush their leaves and rub them on your skin. This releases the essential oils from the plants in your garden directly onto your skin and creates a scented barrier mosquitoes won’t want to penetrate. Test a small area of your skin first to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction before applying elsewhere.

3. Lavender

Lavender not only repels mosquitoes, but also looks lovely growing in pots and tastes great mixed into cocktails or desserts. You can use lavender for crafts, skincare, and around the house as well.

For the most effective mosquito-repelling power, rub crushed lavender leaves on your arms and neck. Or use the beautiful blooms to create a flower crown to wear as a whimsical mosquito repellent. What a fun accessory that would be for a dinner party, kid’s birthday party, or afternoon tea in the garden!

4. Catmint or Catnip

Your furry friend may be onto something… Mosquitoes hate these two plants pussycats adore. Catmint and catnip are also great potted plants to keep mosquitoes away. They’re both perennials, so you can enjoy their mosquito-repelling effects year after year.

One recent study suggests that cats rub their heads on catnip and catmint plants in an effort to keep bugs away. But if you’re a cat owner like me, you know they just love this stuff whether there are mosquitoes around or not. So do yourself and your kitty a favor, plant a pot of catmint this summer. Try the ‘Cat’s Meow’ cultivar from the Gardening Know How Shop for a pretty pop of purple blooms.

5. Lemon Basil

Lemon basil has also been shown to repel mosquitoes when grown in small, enclosed gardens and greenhouses. Plus, it has so many delicious uses in the kitchen—hello, fresh pesto! So stock up on basil seeds, like this tasty trio of culinary basil varieties from Park Seed and start growing.

To get the best efficacy from your lemon basil plants (plus a delicious dinner), make your pesto al fresco. As you crush the leaves to make the sauce, you’ll release all the mosquito-repelling essential oils in the leaves. And at the end, you’ll have a gorgeous pasta sauce or sandwich spread.

Don’t Grow This Plant Mosquitoes Love!

Impatiens are a favorite plant of mosquitoes—unfortunately they’re a favorite of mine and many other gardeners as well. Mosquitoes feed on their silky, brightly-colored blooms. So if you want to avoid arms and legs full of itchy bug bites this summer, keep this dainty annual out of your container garden.

This article features products available from third party vendors on the Gardening Know How Shop. Keep in mind that our plant inventory is limited—so if you’re thinking of purchasing, don’t wait!