Get rid of mosquitoes for good in your backyard with these top 10 plants. Full article 👇 💬 ~ Tasty recipes

Why Planting These Makes Sense

Mosquitoes locate humans and animals to bite via carbon dioxide, body heat, and odours from skin and breath. Many of the plants described below release volatile oils or aromatic compounds that interfere with or mask those cues—making the area less attractive for mosquitoes. For example:

Species such as Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) produce citronellal/citronella oils which mosquitoes dislike. Tom's Guide+1
Herbs such as Catnip (Nepeta cataria) have been shown in experiments to repel mosquitoes more effectively (in some cases) than synthetic repellents. Today's Homeowner+1

But for them to work well you’ll need to use the right species, place them strategically, and maintain them so they release oils (cut or crush leaves, sun exposure helps). Also linking them to your patio, deck or yard perimeter is key.

How to Design Your Backyard for Mosquito‑Reduction with Plants

Here are some best practices:

1. Map key zones

Where you spend time (patio, deck, fire‑pit area, near doorways) → target these with repellent plants.
Where mosquitoes breed or hover (shady corners, standing water, edges of lawn) → plant deterrent species or consider habitat reduction.
Plan layers: shrubs/plants near seating + potted plants near edges, plus perimeter “barrier” plantings.

2. Choose plants for proximity

Plant the repellent plants within a few feet of where you’ll sit or walk, or around entry paths. A plant 20 ft away might contribute little. One expert quote:

“If you’ve got [plants] in the back of your yard and your deck or patio’s 20 feet away … the mosquitoes ‘may stay out of your garden, but they'll come find you on your patio.’” The Washington Post

3. Use containers & borders

Many of these plants do great in containers (edge of patio, deck, porch) so you can move them if needed, keep them close to outdoor living space, and maintain their health easily (versus planting somewhere distant).

4. Maintain health & scent release

Regular pruning, harvesting or gently brushing the foliage helps release oils and enhance scent.
Ensure good drainage, sun exposure (depending on species) so plants are healthy and aromatic.
Over‑watered or weak plants may produce fewer oils and be less effective.

5. Combine with other measures

Clear standing water, maintain screens, consider fans (which disrupt mosquito flight) and nets if needed.
Use plants as part of your mosquito‑management plan, not the entire plan.

Top 10 Plants That Help Repel Mosquitoes

Here are the 10 plants with their growing info, why they help, placement ideas & cautions.

1. Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus / C. winterianus)

Why it helps: This is one of the most‐well‑known “mosquito plants.” It contains citronella oil which masks human odours and deters mosquitoes. Earthkind
How to grow:

Prefers full sun, well‑drained soil. Today's Homeowner
In cooler climates (zones below ~9‐10) you’ll need to grow it in a pot and bring it inside in winter. Earthkind
It can grow 3‑5 ft tall in one season (when mature). Tom's Guide
Placement tip: Place pots or clusters around your patio seating, doorways, deck railings so that scent emanates where you sit.
Caveats: Some research suggests the plant in‑ground may not release enough oil to fully protect; the essential oil is more active. Southern Living+1

2. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Why it helps: Similar to citronella, lemongrass contains citronellal/geranial which mosquitoes dislike. Tom's Guide+1
How to grow:

Full sun, moist but well‑drained soil.
In cooler zones, grow in large container and bring indoors.
Placement tip: Near seating, entryways, in containers along deck edge.
Caveats: Needs warmth—won’t overwinter outdoors in many climates; again, it’s a contribution not a full barrier.

3. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Why it helps: Marigolds release limonene/pyrethrum compounds, and are often used as companion plants for pest control. bulbsociety.org+1
How to grow:

Easy annuals, full sun, average soil.
Great in borders or containers.
Placement tip: Plant around sitting areas, doorways, deck rail edges to create a “scent zone”.
Caveats: Might help somewhat, but some experts say marigolds alone don’t dramatically reduce mosquito bites. The Washington Post+1

4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia / etc)

Why it helps: Contains linalool and other aromatic compounds mosquitoes dislike. Today's Homeowner+1
How to grow:

Full sun, well‑drained, leaner soil (doesn’t like heavy wet soils).
Easy to grow in containers too.
Placement tip: Along walkways, patio edges, pots near seating.
Caveats: Some gardeners report limited effect on mosquitoes; treat as supplementary. Reddit+1

5. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus / Rosmarinus officinalis)

Why it helps: Its woody scent is disliked by mosquitoes; also useful in cooking. Real Homes+1
How to grow:

Full sun, well‑drained soil; drought tolerant once established.
Also works well in a pot near the seating area.
Placement tip: Use as a low hedge around patio, or pots near entryways.
Caveats: The effect is likely modest; again, use with other measures.

6. Mint (Mentha spp.)

Why it helps: The menthol and other oils confuse mosquitoes’ sense of smell. Today's Homeowner+1
How to grow:

Grows quickly; best in containers to prevent spreading.
Partial sun to sun; moist but not water‑logged soil.
Placement tip: Pots around seating, containers near doorways.
Caveats: Very invasive if planted directly; also anecdotal reports of limited mosquito control. Reddit

7. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)

Why it helps: Its aromatic foliage masks scents mosquitoes use; plus it attracts pollinators. Earthkind+1
How to grow:

Full sun to part shade; moist but well‑drained soil.
Can form clumps; may need dividing every few years.
Placement tip: Plant near outdoor seating or along border that faces deck/patio.
Caveats: Needs good air circulation; may flop or get disease if overly humid.

8. Sage (Salvia officinalis / etc)

Why it helps: The strong earthy aroma unused by many insects is disliked by mosquitoes. Some garden sources suggest burning sage for mosquito‐fumigation. Tom's Guide+1
How to grow:

Full sun; well‑drained soil; relatively low‑maintenance.
Placement tip: Border plant, or pot near outdoor seating.
Caveats: The “burn‐smoke” method may produce some effect, but the plant alone may not fully keep mosquitoes away.

9. Basil (Ocimum basilicum and varieties)

Why it helps: Some varieties (lemon basil, cinnamon basil) have strong scent oils that repel mosquitoes. Today's Homeowner+1
How to grow:

Full sun; moist, well‑drained soil; container or bed.
Placement tip: Pots on deck or near patio rails, or in containers next to seating.
Caveats: Basil is more of a “bonus” repellent and of greater value as a kitchen herb; don’t rely on it alone for mosquito control.

10. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Why it helps: Research shows the compound nepetalactone in catnip may repel mosquitoes more effectively than some chemical repellents. Today's Homeowner
How to grow:

Sun to part shade; average soil; potentially invasive—best in containers.
Placement tip: Containers near outdoor seating or near edges of yard where mosquitoes congregate.
Caveats: Attracts cats; also, effectiveness in a garden setting is still modest—they may help but won’t fully replace other control methods.

Putting It All Together: Design Strategy

Here’s a step‑by‑step plan for your backyard:

Identify your “sit‑zones” (patio, deck, fire‑pit) and edge zones (perimeter of yard, shady breeding spots).
Choose 3‑5 plants from above list that match your climate, soil and sun conditions. E.g., in Mediterranean climate you might choose lavender, rosemary, basil; in humid climate maybe marigolds, bee balm, mint (in containers).
Place them strategically:
- Pots around the outdoor seating.
- Border plantings around deck or patio edge.
- Containers at entryways and near doorways.
- Consider planting near shady lawn edges or standing‐water edges to create a “scent barrier”.
Maintain them:
- Prune or harvest frequently to keep oils releasing.
- Ensure plants stay healthy and aromatic (not overwatered, good light).
- Rotate containers or replace plants as needed.
Combine with other practices:
- Remove standing water (flowerpots, gutters, bird‑baths).
- Use fans on patios (mosquitoes don’t like strong airflow).
- Keep grass trimmed, shrubs pruned (mosquitoes like shaded, damp habitats).
- Consider using additional repellent methods if mosquito pressure is high.

Final Thoughts & Expectations

Don’t expect zero mosquitoes just from plants. But used well, you can reduce their presence and make your outdoor space more comfortable.
The nicer scents, the healthier the plants, the more they contribute.
Start with a few good plants near the areas you use most, then expand.
Monitor results: if you still have heavy mosquito presence, check for breeding sites, consider professional control, or add additional physical/chemical measures.
Value for money: Many of these plants serve dual purposes (repellent + herb for cooking, pollinator support, ornamental value) so you get extra benefit.

If you like, I can compile a printable backyard planting plan (with plant spacing, sun/shade matrix, container vs ground decisions) and provide a table of which plants suit which climate zones (with metric/imperial planting guides). Would you like me to put that together?

Recent articles about mosquito‑repelling plants