Six Mosquito Repelling Plants To Grow

Predictions of a wet summer means a particularly nasty mozzie season, but growing some mosquito repelling plants is one way to help discourage their presence. 

Picture this: you’ve waited three months or more for it to finally be warm enough to host a barbeque at home with your friends and family, only for a swarm of mosquitoes to crash the party. Not only are these invaders unwelcome guests, but they present a unique combination of pain and irritation. 

These particularly loathed types of insects are most active during the late spring, summer, and early autumn months. Although they’re usually most active during the evening hours and when it is humid outside, mosquitoes can still bite at any time of the day and don’t discriminate. 

While our natural instinct is to stock up on citronella candles and bug spray as a means to protect ourselves, what if we told you that adding mosquito repelling plants to your balcony, outdoor entertainment area or garden can be a highly effective yet eco-friendly alternative?

Add These Mosquito Repelling Plants To Your Garden

Instead of reaching for chemical based protection measures, consciously adding mosquito repelling plants to your garden is one way to get the same results, while providing a better return on your investment for the years to come. While some are proven to be more effective than others, the following plants are reliable options to banish these troublesome bugs. 

Rosemary – For those looking for mosquito repelling plants that you can almost leave to its own devices, rosemary is your answer. This easy herb can actually grow to be quite large, with some people even using it as an edible hedge. Once established, rosemary prefers its soil to be a little drier than other herbs, does well in direct sunlight and can live for years at a time when happy. 

Basil – Popular uses for basil include pizza toppers, salad enhancers, pasta sauces, pesto and getting rid of mosquitoes. When growing basil at home, it does extremely well when areas that receive around four to six hours of direct sunlight a day. Be careful to protect it from the elements though, as it doesn’t generally tolerate cold climates or exposure to wind. 

Garlic – Another edible mosquito repellent that tends to surprise people is garlic. As a culinary staple in most kitchens and famed for its medicinal properties, this multi-functional plant is also regarded as an easy choice to grow at home. On average, garlic will take around nine months from seeds to harvest, but it’s generally worth the wait. 

Lavender – Introducing lavender to your garden is a low maintenance way to dial the scents up a notch and protect your household against mosquitoes, all without having to deadhead any blooms. While there are hundreds of varieties to choose from, not only will lavender attract native bees and birds, but they will help households fight off bugs at the same time. 

Marigolds – Not only do these edible flowers look good, but they also have properties as a mosquito repellent as well. Although known to be bitter and peppery in taste to some, marigolds can actually compliment very sweet dishes such as poached fruit, and are wildly popular for gardeners who want blooms that are easy to care for. 

Citronella – While most of us are familiar with the magical properties of citronella candles, did you know that the active ingredient is actually derived from a plant? To get the good stuff from the source, plant citronella in your garden to reap the benefits on a more regular basis. As a tall grass native to South East Asia, they’ll even grow in a wide range of soil types too. 

To ensure that you strike the right balance between tackling weeds and other less savoury pests without disturbing the health of your mosquito repelling plants and other residents in your garden, using a chemical free weed killer is a must – but where do you find one?

Introducing A Safer Way To Spray 

Bioweed is an organic, non selective weed killer that works fast on contact with the weed, in order to rapidly desiccate and burn even the most stubborn of plants. It can be used anywhere around the house including garden beds, veggie patches, paths and driveways, and is safe to use around children, animals and even native wildlife. 

The best part? Bioweed is the brainchild of well established agricultural leaders greenPRO, and is backed by over twenty years of research and development. Owned and manufactured in Australia, the primary ingredient of Bioweed is actually sustainably sourced pine oil, and is even approved by NASAA, ACO and APVMA for use around organic farms and food production. 

If you’re on the hunt for a nature friendly weed killer, or simply want to know more about eliminating weeds safely – check out other tips and tricks in our online advice forum, or contact us for any further queries.