10 Plants That Repel Bugs Naturally (And Actually Work)

Mosquitoes, aphids, and cabbage moths do not care how tidy a garden looks. They care about scent, and that is exactly where certain herbs and flowers have an advantage over chemical sprays. Many plants that repel bugs work by masking the smells insects use to find food, mates, or hosts, which means the right combination planted in the right spots can noticeably cut down on unwanted visitors.

None of these plants will make a yard completely bug-free on their own. As University of Georgia Extension notes, plants have properties that may repel pests, but exactly how many are needed and how closely they must be spaced remains unclear even to specialists. What follows are ten well-documented options, how each one works, and where to place it for the best results.

Pro Tip: Crush a leaf between your fingers before planting anything for pest control. If the scent is strong to a human nose, it is usually strong enough to confuse or repel insects too.

Plant	Main Pests Deterred	Best Placement
Nasturtium	Aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs	Vegetable garden borders
Mint (Peppermint)	Mosquitoes, ants, flies	Containers near doorways
Lavender	Mosquitoes, moths, flies	Patios, seating areas
Citronella Grass	Mosquitoes	Fire pits, outdoor kitchens
Lemon Balm	Mosquitoes, gnats	Patio pots, garden edges
Marigold	Mosquitoes, aphids, nematodes	Vegetable garden, pots
Rosemary	Mosquitoes, cabbage moths, slugs	Near doors, herb beds
Basil	Mosquitoes, flies, hornworms	Picnic tables, grills
Chives	Aphids, Japanese beetles, carrot fly	Vegetable rows
Chamomile	Flying insects	Companion beds

1. Nasturtium

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The nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a sprawling annual with funnel-shaped flowers that double as both a garden feature and a working pest deterrent. Gardenia.net reports that nasturtium deters aphids, asparagus beetle, cabbage looper, carrot fly, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetle, and flea beetle. Gardeners often use it as a trap crop, letting aphids gather on the nasturtium instead of on nearby vegetables.

1. Plant it along vegetable garden borders where trailing stems can spill over edges without crowding other crops.
2. Choose a spot with full sun to part shade; nasturtium tolerates poor soil better than most flowering annuals.
3. Let a few plants go to seed each season since nasturtium reseeds readily and often returns without replanting.

2. Mint (Peppermint)

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is one of the more aggressive plants that repel bugs, and that vigor is part of why it works so well in pots near entryways. According to Sunnyside Gardens, peppermint repels adult insects and can even kill larvae and eggs of some mosquito species. The stronger the scent released, the more effective the repellent action tends to be.

1. Grow mint in containers rather than in open beds, since its spreading roots can quickly overtake neighboring plants.
2. Place pots near doors, patios, or seating areas so the scent stays where people gather.
3. Crush a few leaves by hand periodically to release more of the oils that keep mosquitoes and ants away.

3. Lavender

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Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) produces tall purple flower spikes with a scent that people find calming but that mosquitoes and moths tend to avoid. UGA Extension explains that lavender’s vibrant flowers emit a strong scent that repels mosquitoes, aphids, and other insects, and can even help with soil nematodes. Sunnyside Gardens adds that lavender can interfere with a mosquito’s ability to smell altogether.

1. Plant lavender near patios, walkways, or vegetable beds where its scent can drift through frequently used spaces.
2. Choose well-drained soil and full sun, since lavender struggles in consistently damp conditions.
3. Dry cut stems and store them in closets or drawers, where dried lavender also keeps moths away long after the growing season ends.

4. Citronella grass

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Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) is the source of the oil found in most citronella candles, which explains why the living plant shows up so often on lists of plants that repel bugs. Bob Vila notes that citronella oil comes from the lemongrass plant, making the ornamental grass a top choice against mosquitoes. It grows into a tall, clumping grass that can reach several feet during a single season.

1. Grow citronella grass in large containers if winters in your region drop below its hardiness range, since it is frost-sensitive.
2. Position pots around fire pits, outdoor kitchens, or dining areas where mosquitoes tend to congregate in the evening.
3. Pair the living plant with citronella candles for extra coverage during peak mosquito hours, as Garden Design suggests for backyard gatherings.

5. Lemon Balm

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Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) belongs to the mint family and carries a lemony scent that comes from citronellal, a compound chemically related to citronella oil itself. Ethnobotanist Arthur Tucker of Delaware State University told Mother Earth News that some northern European forms of lemon balm are high in citronellal, mimicking the well-known herbal repellent citronella oil. A specialty variety called Citronella lemon balm reportedly contains notably higher levels of that compound than standard lemon balm.

1. Grow lemon balm in pots when possible, since it spreads readily and can become invasive if left unchecked in open beds, according to Celebrated Nest.
2. Place containers near patios, doorways, or garden seating where the citrus scent can help reduce nuisance mosquitoes and gnats.
3. Crush a handful of leaves and rub them on exposed skin for a quick, temporary repellent effect before spending time outdoors.

6. Marigold

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Marigolds (Tagetes) are among the most recognizable plants that repel bugs, largely because their compact size and bright color make them easy to tuck into almost any garden layout. Bob Vila reports that mosquitoes, nematodes, and aphids hate the smell of marigolds, which is why gardeners often plant them directly among vegetable rows. The flowers contain pyrethrum-related compounds that many common garden insects find unpleasant.

1. Plant marigolds in full sun, since shady spots make them prone to powdery mildew, a common issue Bob Vila warns about directly.
2. Interplant marigolds with tomatoes, peppers, or squash to help disrupt the scent trails pests use to locate host plants.
3. Add marigolds to patio containers near seating areas for extra coverage against mosquitoes during outdoor meals.

7. Rosemary

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Rosemary is a woody, evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves that stay fragrant and useful in the kitchen year-round in the right climate. UGA Extension states that rosemary repels common garden pests, including Japanese beetles, carrot flies, slugs, and snails. Some gardeners also burn dried rosemary sprigs like sage, since the resulting smoke carries a mosquito-repelling effect similar to sage smoke around a fire pit.

1. Plant rosemary in containers near doors and windows, a placement Nunan Florist and Greenhouses recommends to help ward off mosquitoes at entry points.
2. Grow rosemary in well-drained soil and full sun, since it is drought-tolerant and dislikes soggy roots.
3. Add a few sprigs to clothing drawers, where rosemary can help deter both moths and silverfish indoors.

8. Basil

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Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is unusual among plants that repel bugs because it releases its scent into the air without needing to be crushed first. UGA Extension notes that basil can keep mosquitoes, flies, aphids, mites, and tomato hornworms away from the garden thanks to its strong aroma, and can also help keep insects from coming indoors. The Wikipedia entry on pest-repelling plants lists basil as effective against mosquitoes, carrot fly, asparagus beetles, and whiteflies as well.

1. Keep potted basil near picnic tables, grills, or grill stations, where its scent can work continuously without needing to be disturbed.
2. Grow basil alongside tomatoes and peppers, both of which benefit from reduced hornworm and aphid pressure.
3. Harvest leaves regularly for cooking, which also encourages bushier growth and a stronger overall scent.

9. Chives

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are a compact, clump-forming herb related to onions and garlic, and that pungent allium scent is exactly what makes them effective against certain pests. The list of pest-repelling plants on Wikipedia notes that chives repel carrot fly, Japanese beetle, and aphids. A separate roundup from Garden Center Ohio adds that chives also help deter mites and rabbits, a useful bonus for anyone growing vegetables in an area with heavy browsing pressure.

1. Tuck chives along the edges of vegetable beds, especially near carrots, where they can help interrupt carrot fly activity.
2. Divide clumps every few years to keep chives productive and prevent overcrowding.
3. Let a few flower heads bloom, since the purple blossoms attract pollinators while the foliage continues working as a repellent.

10. Chamomile

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Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is best known as a calming tea ingredient, but its daisy-like flowers also carry pest-repelling properties that make it a useful companion plant. The Wikipedia entry on pest-repelling plants notes simply that chamomile repels flying insects, a claim echoed by House Digest, which highlights chamomile’s efficiency at driving mosquitoes away with its sweet scent. Beyond direct pest control, chamomile is also valued for what it does for its neighbors in the garden.

1. Interplant chamomile among vegetables and herbs, since Round Rock Gardens notes it can improve the flavor and health of plants growing nearby.
2. Grow chamomile in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade, keeping plants low and spreading rather than staked.
3. Harvest flowers regularly for tea while leaving some blooms intact to continue attracting beneficial insects.

Growing a More Bug-Resistant Garden

No single plant on this list will replace screens, repellent sprays, or basic pest management when infestations get serious. What these ten plants that repel bugs offer instead is a layered, low-toxicity approach that adds fragrance and color while making outdoor spaces a little less inviting to common pests. Cluster a few different species near patios, doorways, and vegetable beds rather than relying on just one, since combining scents tends to work better than planting a single repellent alone.

Entomologist Roberto Pereira of the University of Florida frames the underlying dynamic well: plants and insects have been locked in an evolutionary standoff for a very long time. As University of Florida researchers put it, it is an arms race between plants and insects, each trying to survive and prosper. Working with that natural chemistry, rather than against it, is what makes herb gardens and flower borders such a practical starting point for anyone looking to keep bugs at bay the low-tech way.