Whether you’re looking for natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes or are trying out your DIY mosquito prevention options before resorting to the tried-and-true professional mosquito control, the idea of adding mosquito Repellent plants in your yard and around your house has bound to come up!

When you think of plants that keep mosquitoes away, the popular Citronella plant might come to mind, but did you know there are several other plants you can use to combat mosquitoes?

Though this blog will explain which plants work the best at repelling mosquitoes, it will also provide tips on how to best incorporate the plants in your yard and around your home!

Please note that using plants to prevent mosquitoes will not eliminate mosquitoes entirely from your yard. Though you might experience a reduction in bites when near the plants, this approach is not a complete solution to the mosquito problem. 

If you would like to enjoy your yard or patio without getting bitten, you will need to seek professional mosquito control assistance. 

Mosquito Repellent Plants that Grow in the Shade

If you hadn’t noticed mosquitoes like to hang around shady spots. This is because, like us during the heat of summer, mosquitoes are trying to avoid drying out from direct sunlight. 

Planting mosquito repellent plants that grow well in the shade is a good way to deter mosquitoes from thriving in the shady regions of your yard. 

Here are a few mosquito repellent plants that do not need a lot of sunlight. 

• Lemon Balm
• Mint
• Lemongrass (Partial Shade)
• Citronella (Partial Shade)

Mosquito Repellent Plants that Grow Back Each Year

If you are using plants to keep mosquitoes away, then you might find it inconvenient and costly to need to replace them each year. 

Luckily, there are several plants that repel mosquitoes and grow back bigger and stronger each year. 

• Lavender
• Catnip
• Lemon Balm
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Lemongrass (Only a Perennial in Warmer States)
• Citronella (Only a Perennial in Warmer States)

Mosquito Repellent Plants that Can Grow in Pots

Using pots and planters is a great way to incorporate mosquito repellent plants around your yard. 

Pots and planters offer versatility by allowing you to add plants to areas without soil such as on your deck or patio, by the pool, on the porch, or along your windowsill. Pots and planters also give you the flexibility of moving plants around freely.

Here are the mosquito repellent plants that can thrive in pots or planters. 

• Citronella 
• Lemongrass
• Cinnamon Basil
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Catnip
• Lemon Balm
• Mint

Mosquito Repellent Plants that Don’t Need a lot of Water

Since mosquitoes thrive in moist areas and can successfully lay eggs in a bottle cap’s worth of water, we advise people to remove all sources of standing water from their yards.  

Though pots and planters offer a convenient way to incorporate mosquito repellent plants in your yard, they are often a common source of standing water. 

A great way to get the flexibility of using pots and planters without running the risk of letting them become a breeding ground for mosquitoes is to pot mosquito plants that don’t need too much water. 

That you can use pots and soil that drain and dry quickly without needing to worry about the health of the plant. Another benefit in using drought-tolerant plants is that you have a better chance of keeping them alive if you do not have a green thumb!

Here are a couple mosquito repellent plants that thrive in dry conditions. 

• Lavender
• Rosemary

Mosquito Repellent Plants that are Kid Safe

If you’ve been around children for any amount of time, you’ll know that it’s not uncommon for them to eat things they shouldn’t. 

The benefit to using plants to repel mosquitoes over candles or other repellent options is that you don’t have to worry if a child ingests the plants you’ve added to your yard! 

Here is a list of mosquito repellent plants that are kid safe.

• Cinnamon Basil
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Catnip
• Lemon Balm
• Mint
• Citronella 
• Lemongrass

Note: Most of these plants are 100% edible and are commonly used in foods and beverages. 

Mosquito Repellent Plants that are Pet Friendly

If you want to add plants to your porch or deck and expect to be joined by a furry friend while lounge outside, it’s important that you choose plants that are non-toxic to cats and dogs. 

Here are the mosquito repellent plants that are generally non-toxic to pets. 

• Catnip
• Mint
• Rosemary
• Cinnamon Basil
• Lemongrass (Toxic if Eaten in Large Amounts)

About Simply Green’s Mosquito Control Service

We offer different outdoor mosquito control treatments to help rid your yard of these pests and keep them from coming back. Our backyard mosquito control products are safe for use around pets and children, and they work quickly to get rid of mosquitoes.

To control adult mosquitoes, our product is a synthetic version of the Pyrethrum extract found in Chrysanthemum flowers. In areas of standing water in your yard, we use Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Bti is a naturally occurring bacterium found in soils that specifically targets and only affects mosquito larvae. Bti interrupts the mosquito lifecycle by eliminating larvae before they mature into adults. It does not affect other insects, including honeybees. All of our EPA registered products are safe for kids and pets and do not pose a risk to your family.

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep mosquitoes out of your yard, our outdoor mosquito control treatments are a great option. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how we can help you get rid of mosquitoes for good!