Worried About Ticks? Meet the 7 Herbs That Help to Keep Them Away – They’re Easy to Grow Almost Anywhere

Spring is full of lovely things, with tulips and bleeding hearts bursting into life, birds darting around feeders, and sleepy bumblebees supping from bee cups. But with all the loveliness comes a guest we don’t want to see, and that’s the tick. Even writing that word makes me feel unsettled.

Did you know a single female tick can lay between 3,000-5,000 eggs in leaf litter? Or that nearly 476,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease every year? It’s a sobering reality that has the potential to cast a shadow over these first few weeks of spring – especially because it’s so hard to spot those poppyseed pests. For sure, the arrival of the weeding season brings with it the need to check your ankles.

But this isn’t designed to alarm you – quite the opposite. You are not powerless against these unwanted hitchhikers. There’s a special group of plants you can start in April that can form a potent organic tick repellent. I’m talking about everyday kitchen garden staples (with a couple of unexpected hero herbs thrown in for good measure). So if you’re keen to keep ticks away, the answer is right under your nose.

Plant these superhero herbs, and you’ll be creating an aromatic security system of powerful scents – lovely for you, but not so lovely for those opportunistic ticks. This natural tick repellent system works around the clock to confuse, confound, and repel. Here are the 7 herbs that can help you turn your yard into a tick-free zone.

Growing Herbs to Tackle Ticks

So, how exactly can a superhero herb fight a tick? It comes down to a little thing called the Haller’s organ. These are tiny sensory detectors on their front legs that detect heat, carbon dioxide, and odors from up to 30 feet (9m) away. A yard filled with pungent herbs basically creates a scent screen that can mask your presence and make an environment so overwhelming that ticks choose to move elsewhere.

Preventing ticks is all about those essential oils that we find so delightful, which certain herbs pack in abundance. High concentrations of these natural oils can significantly deter both adult ticks and those tiny, poppy-seed-sized nymphs that are so hard to spot. Essential oils like linalool, menthol, and nepetalactone have been proven in lab settings to interfere with tick nervous systems.

Whether you have a sprawling suburban yard or a compact balcony, these easy herbs deliver a huge punch. April is the perfect time to plant or sow some of the following plants that repel ticks. Getting them established now gives them time to develop the lush, oil-rich foliage they need before the tick nymph season peaks in May and June.

The trick is to put these scent protectors where you need them most. Focus on transition zones, like where a patio meets the garden. Just check your USDA hardiness zone and ensure soil is well-draining. If you're growing herbs in containers, elevate pots with pot toes or feet to prevent pooling, which is oddly attractive to ticks. You can buy cheap-and-cheerful Bosmere Pot Risers (12 Pack) from Amazon.

Generally for herbs, surface area equals scent volume, but the concentration of oils changes as the plant matures. If you start from seed, give them at least 6-8 weeks of growth before you rely on them to hold the front line. OK, let’s dive into the herbs that can stop ticks in their tracks.

1. Lavender

Lavender is a lush, majestic feast for the senses, and for many of us it represents the epitome of serenity and calm. But to a tick, this floral-woody herb is a potent repellent, whether you grow lavender in large containers or in the ground. Its superpower is the high concentration of linalool and eucalyptol. Both are highly offensive to their sensory organs.

For the most potent punch, try English lavender types (L. angustifolia) varieties like ‘Munstead’ or ‘Hidcote.’ They have a higher oil concentration than larger Spanish and French varieties. You can buy 'Hidcote' Purple Lavender Plants from Fast Growing Trees.

Ticks are most active in humid, tall grass, so plant lavender at the threshold where your lawn meets your patio, where you can brush against it for extra protection. They need 6-8 hours of direct light to produce those tick-repelling oils. Also, the woody stems and flower calyxes store the highest concentrations of linalool. So you can speed up your protection if you purchase live plants for a significant scent throw.

2. Lemongrass

If you want an architectural herb that doubles as a good repellent for ticks, try lemongrass. As well as adding movement, it is loaded with a huge scent profile that knocks a tick sideways. Lemongrass contains citronella oil and works by masking our scents. It’s particularly effective because it grows tall and dense, creating a physical and chemical barrier.

In warmer zones (8-10), you can put these straight in the ground in April. In cooler areas, start lemongrass in large pots that can be moved to a sunny patio. Look for Cymbopogon citratus, the culinary variety. You can buy Lemongrass Mix and Match Plants from Burpee. Just remember, unlike the Mediterranean herbs on this list, you need to keep your lemongrass well hydrated to develop those oil-rich blades.

Mass is key with lemongrass. You need a clump at least 6-10 inches (15-25cm) wide. It's most effective once it reaches 2 feet (60cm) in height. Also, ticks might try to hide under the long blades. To help with repelling ticks naturally, keep the area around the base of the plant clear of leaf litter.

3. Rosemary

Rosemary is a real tough guy in this roundup. Its woody stems and needle-like leaves are packed with camphor and limonene, compounds that are highly effective at repelling both ticks and mosquitoes. Rosemary’s oils are stable and don't evaporate quickly, providing long-lasting protection.

April is the ideal time to transplant rosemary. For small spaces, I recommend creeping rosemary, which can spill over the edges of rocks, raised garden beds and containers, creating a scent carpet. Once they establish, erect rosemary also presents a formidable barrier for ticks. Buy Green Promise Farms Rosemary ‘Arp’ from Amazon for a cold-hardy addition to your tick-free zone.

Rosemary becomes more pungent as it gets woody. That 4-inch (10cm) starter pot is fine for a windowsill, but you need to grow rosemary as a semi-mature plant for the best tick defense. Older, tougher needles have a thicker cuticle that holds those camphor oils longer in the sun. Rosemary produces more concentrated oils when it’s slightly stressed by the sun, so don’t be tempted to overwater.

4. Catnip

Don’t let the name fool you: catnip isn't just for feline friends. Research from Iowa State University has found that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip, is more effective than DEET, the synthetic active ingredient in certain bug sprays. It triggers a specific chemical irritant response: ticks find it physically uncomfortable to be near. It’s effective against both adult ticks and nymphs.

It is easy to start catnip plants from seed in April, and it will grow rapidly. Buy Homegrown Heirloom Catnip Seeds from Amazon. If you have a wild edge to your yard where ticks congregate, letting catnip go a little wild can be a great defense. However, catnip can get invasive, so you might find it better to grow it in a large pot.

Youthful vigor is an advantage when growing catnip. This herb is potent even when small. However, you need volume. Aim for a mound 12 inches (30cm) across to ensure there’s enough leaf surface to repel ticks. To release the oils, give the leaves a little brush as you walk by.

5. Sage

I adore sage for its textural beauty as well as its earthy aroma. Its soft, silver-green leaves provide a wonderful visual break from brighter tones elsewhere. Ticks, however, find the deep, musky scent of thujone (in sage) repulsive. It’s particularly effective against nymphs. So I like to call sage the velvety protector!

April is the perfect time for planting common sage (Salvia officinalis). It can handle the fluctuating spring temperatures of the Midwest or Northeast, and is also perfect for container gardens. However, avoid over-feeding. If the soil is too rich, it produces less of the oils that repel ticks. Lean and mean is best. Growing sage as an easy perennial in most zones, it will guard your yard for years if you give it plenty of sun.

Surface area is key to repelling ticks, as sage is a slow burner. The more velvety leaves you have, the more the scent lingers. It should hit its stride around 8-10 weeks after planting – the bushier, the better! Try 'Berggarten' for its extra-large, rounded leaves which provide more surface area for oil production. You can buy ‘Bergartten’ Sage Plants from Walmart.

6. Wormwood

It often gets overlooked, but artemisia is a potent natural tick repellent. This silver beauty, the defining ingredient in absinthe, is one of the most bitter plants around. Ticks are tasters as well as smellers. If they crawl onto wormwood, the sheer bitterness of absinthium can cause them to drop off.

You can plant this ornamental herb in April as soon as the threat of a hard freeze has passed. It grows in a neat, mounded shape, making it ideal for the center of a large container arrangement, or grown as a low hedge around a patio. Buy ‘GardenGhost’ Artemisia from Nature Hills.

Wormwood is a bit of a late bloomer. While even small starts are bitter, its true potency kicks in once it forms its signature silvery mound, 2 feet (60cm) wide. The sheer density of the foliage is what keeps ticks at bay. Plant this herb as edging or in a cluster for a meaningful scent barrier.

7. Chrysanthemum

What’s that, you say? Oh, but it is technically a herb, although not one that people tend to grow for culinary reasons. Indeed, the mum is a secret weapon if you want to know how to get rid of ticks in your yard. This pest control doesn't just repel, it contains pyrethrum, a natural neurotoxin that can kill ticks upon contact.

Planting mums in spring gives them time to establish a strong root system and lush foliage, so they can protect the yard all summer long. Plant near a woodpile, around the dog’s favorite sunning spot, or lining the edge of your yard. Pyrethrum daisy mum varieties (C. cinerariifolium) are especially potent, though common mums offer great deterrent properties. Buy ‘Painted Daisy’ Mum Seeds from Amazon.

While flowers have the highest concentration of pyrethrum, the entire plant is toxic to ticks. You don't need to wait for the fall flowers, but you do need significant leaf density. Keep them pinched back in early spring to encourage a bushy, dense shape. The denser your mums, the more contact points there are to nuke braver ticks.

Shop Bonus Tick Repellents

While these superhero herbs really will do a lot of the heavy lifting in your yard this summer, sometimes you may need that extra layer of organic protection for your clothes or pets. Here are some top-rated organic extras to keep the ticks at bay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spring is a time for renewal, not for worrying! By embracing the power of these potent protectors, you’re taking a vital, proactive step toward a safer backyard. Whatever you do, please don't wait for the heat of June. Reserve a spot in your garden beds and some of your empty pots for this fragrant fortress in April. It’s a delightfully simple, organic, and charmingly “scentsible” way to make your yard a tick-free zone.

Need more ideas for timely gardening jobs and seasonal expert advice delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the free Gardening Know How Newsletter!