In India, there is no season for mosquitoes or we can say that all seasons belong to mosquitoes. Whether summer or autumn; different mosquito bore diseases are always on the news. To keep yourself and your family free from any such diseases; you need to keep your surroundings mosquito-free.
Though there are different types of chemical-based repellants available in the market, there are always some adverse effects on health. Moreover, there are people who are allergic to the smell. It is always better to have some natural way to keep those tiny little insects at bay, especially if you have children at home. And thankfully, there are some mosquito repellant plants that can solve the problem.
The mosquito repellant plants are a blessing for people who want a natural way to keep themselves safe. The harmful fumes of the chemical are not good for the kids as well as elders. So, having those plants in the house is beneficial always.
Let us divulge into the list of the plants that keep mosquitoes away.
1. Citronella:
Many stores labeled this as the anti-mosquito plant as it is the most popular one in this category. The reason is that citronella oil is one of the most common natural elements in the mosquito repellant liquid. For that reason, it is one of the best mosquito repellent plants indoors. A planter full of this grass can successfully keep your surroundings free from bugs. The special smell of the leaves is very effective to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
This plant is low-maintenance as well. You just need to keep it in a bigger planter and place it in a colder spot. The sweet and refreshing smell of the leaves not only works as a natural mosquito repellant but also keeps your indoor air fresh.
2. Rosemary:
The oil of rosemary is considered as the essential oil that mosquitoes don’t like at all and stay away from it. Not only mosquito, but the woody smell of this herb can also repel carrot flies and cabbage moths as well. The New York Botanical Garden also recommended this plant as one of the best and most effective mosquito repellant plants you can have in your home.
This indoor plant can be grown in a very small vase that you can keep on your kitchen counter. The hot and dry climate is the best suitable for this but you can grow it in the winter climate as well. You can prune the plant occasionally and plant them on the border of other planters.
In this way, this plant will be helpful to keep your surroundings mosquito-free. You can use this herb in your cooking occasionally to add some added flavor to your soup.
3. Lemon Balm:
If you looking for a pretty indoor plant that repels mosquitoes, you should pick lemon balm without any thinking. The leaves have a strong lemon scent as the bug-repelling content is quite high in this plant. It is also known as house mint for its distinct yet fresh smell. Though most of the bugs and insects can’t stand the smell, the butterflies and birds eventually love them.
Moreover, this plant is easy to care for. You don’t need to take much of your time for its maintenance. Just keep the plant in a container and place it in an indirect sunlit location, preferably a window slit.
4. Marigold:
The marigold is very popular in the Indian household for its bright and beautiful flower. However, few people know about the mosquito repellant quality of this plant. The leaves of the plant come with a special smell that keeps the mosquitoes and other bugs at bay.
This is a perfect fit for the balcony where the plants will get bright light. You can also keep them in the entrance as they will keep different bugs like aphids, whiteflies, tomato hornworms, squash bugs, and thrips. The main reason is that it contains pyrethrum which is the common ingredient of the store-bought mosquito repellants. So, this is the perfect way to keep your home safe in a beautiful way.
5. Lavender:
This plant is famous for its essential oil. However, the fragrance is soothing for human beings but not much favorite for bugs and insects; especially mosquitoes. The leaves of the plants contain the essential oil which is responsible for the distinct smell.
The camphor present in the oil not only keeps mosquitoes at bay but also works for other bugs and insects like moths and flies as well. This is a hardy plant and resistant to drought when settled well in the soil.
Make sure, the plant receives bright sunlight and the soil has good drainage. This plant loves a warmer climate and thrives in summer.
6. Basil:
Basil has an extraordinary smell that repels the mosquito along with a few other bugs. There are different types of basil available in the market and thankfully all of them are equally gifted with the same quality. You can mix different types in the garden.
From the seeds, it keeps multiplying in number to keep your territory safe from the mosquito. The maintenance of this plant is quite easy. You just need a good amount of sunlight and well-draining soil. Keep the soil damp as it thrives in the humid atmosphere.
You can keep this either in a planter or directly garden soil.
7. Lemon Grass:
We often add the leaves of the lemongrass to the tea to keep ourselves fresh. However, this herb can work as an anti-mosquito plant. This plant which is also known as the Cymbopogon Citratus has an amazing mosquito repellant quality. The bloom of the plant has citronella which helps to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
This plant has medicinal value as well. it is used as an anti-inflammatory. Lemongrass is widely used in soup as well. Many FMCG companies use this essential oil in many products for a refreshing fragrance.
You can keep this plant in a small planter in a brightly lit place.
8. Catnip:
This is a plant of the mint family. Catnip or catmint is a very easy-growing plant that can be grown anywhere. This plant can be grown commercially or as a weed. However, you need to be very careful if you plant this in your garden as it will invade almost every planter in your garden.
However, this plant with an insidious nature is actually a very good mosquito repellant. As per a recent study, it has been seen that it has been ten times more effective than DEET which is the most common chemical for mosquito repellant. Catnip has nepetalactone, an ingredient that repels mosquitoes but attracts cats. And for this, it got its name ‘Catnip’.
9. Mint:
This herb is very common in the kitchen garden of Indian households. From drinks to soup, it is used in different ways. Mint is also popular as the mouth freshener for the refreshing fragrance.
Surprisingly, mosquitoes don’t like the smell of mint and like to stay away from it. You can grow this herb quite easily on your balcony or near the kitchen window.
10. Bee Balm
Do you want a plant in your garden that repels mosquitoes but attracts bees and butterflies? Then Bee Balm is the right one for you. This plant is also called Horse Mint or Monarda.
The leaves of the plants have a beautiful fragrance and when you crush them it will leave a beautiful aroma. The beautiful flowers of Bee Balm are an added benefit. There are many shades of flowers like pink, red, white, purple, and mauve. The flowers look like daisy flowers.
Bee Balm plants are perennial in nature. The plant can produce flowers years after years. You need rich and moist soil with lots of sunlight to plant Bee Balm.
11. Sage
Sage is a beautiful shrub-like plant that you can add to the border of the garden. It not only just repels mosquitoes but also other bugs as well.
Many people add the leaves of sage in the fire pit just to keep away all the bugs and insects in any gathering. While burning, the leaves spread an earthy smell which repels the tiny bugs.
It is an aromatic herb of the mint family. The leaves are also used as the aromatic agent in many foods.
If you are feeling troubled with the growing mosquitoes in your neighborhood, then it is the right time to buy the plants to keep those insects away naturally. The people who already love plants will be thrilled to know about these options.
So, why wait? Add these mosquito repellant plants in your wish-box and keep your family safe from hazardous diseases.
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