Mosquitoes can be found in most places around the world and for humans, they’re nothing but a pest!
Their nasty bites can cause itching, redness, swelling, and soreness, and yet so many of us find ourselves afflicted especially on balmy summer evenings.
But if you’ve been struggling with a battle against mozzies in the home, there are some plants you can grow indoors that will keep these pesky bugs at bay.
Table of Contents
1. Citronella
When most people are asked to think of something that repels any kind of insect, not just mosquitoes, they’ll probably think of citronella.
Outdoor candles, bug sprays, and a whole host of other products contain citronella and it’s incredibly effective.
The great thing about citronella is that, while mozzies hate the smell, it’s actually very pleasant to humans.
The citrusy scent will drive away those bugs while giving your home a lovely fragrance.
It is important to keep in mind that this is a tropical plant so it’ll do much better in a warmer climate and even more so if you can find a sunny spot for it.
You will need to make sure the plant is well fertilized and during colder months, you’ll probably find that it needs some artificial light.
2. Catnip
Catnip actually comes from the mint family but it’s perfect for repelling mosquitoes as the scent is something that they can’t stand.
It’s important to find a sunny position for your catnip, perhaps in a well lit window. Also, make sure to keep the catnip well hydrated as this isn’t a plant that tolerates drought well.
You’ll notice that the flowers grow quite quickly and you will need to pinch these out to encourage further leaf growth.
Over Time – You’ll see that the catnip gets very large and it won’t be long before it outgrows its spot so you will either need to split it into separate pots or find a bigger space for it.
While catnip is known for attracting cats, eating too many of the leaves can cause digestive upset.
For this reason, we’d suggest placing it well out of the way of your feline friend.
3. Mint
Mint is a powerful plant that has a lot of uses and one of those uses is repelling mosquitoes.
What’s great about mint is that it thrives indoors and can also be used for cooking.
Keep a potted mint plant on your kitchen windowsill to keep mosquitoes away.
You’ll likely also appreciate the lovely aroma of your mint plant which is known in aromatherapy to ease mental tension, fight stress and even reduce pain.
4. Basil
Basil is another excellent plant that can be used in the kitchen so if you’re looking to start up an indoor herb garden that’ll repel bugs then this is a wonderful addition to that.
Much like many of the other plants on this list, basil likes a sunny spot and plenty of water.
It’s a plant that needs a lot of TLC but you will be rewarded for this with the tasty leaves and a scent that’ll deter those mosquitoes.
It’s super important to note that basil will not thrive if it is dehydrated. That said, be careful not to water so much that you drown the roots.
Don’t Worry! As long as you use a well draining soil, everything should be dandy. It’s better to grow basil in a warmer climate but keep in mind that, if the house gets cold in winter, the plant may struggle.
5. Lemon Balm
Like citronella, lemon balm has a strong citrusy smell that mosquitoes really don’t like.
More than this, lemon balm is a lovely plant to have in the home and it’s super easy to take care of.
It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that this is yet another member of the mint family.
However, unlike things like citronella and basil, it’s nowhere near as demanding.
You’ll want to find a sunny windowsill and make sure to pinch off any flowers as they come through.
If you don’t do this and the plant goes to seed then you’ll find that the aroma dies down and it’ll lose its effectiveness in the fight against bugs.
Do keep in mind that these plants grow rather large. However, you can keep it under control by harvesting the leaves which you can use to make herbal teas.
6. Rosemary
Let’s get back to that kitchen herb garden and add another plant, shall we?
Rosemary is a highly aromatic plant with a rich, earthy aroma. It’s not that easy to care for but it’s very effective in repelling mosquitoes.
Rosemary likes a lot of sun so, much like many of the other plants we have discussed, you’ll want a bright window to place it.
The soil needs to be well draining but be careful how much you water the plant. Rosemary can very easily be overwatered but it may also suffer if it doesn’t get enough hydration.
Also, note that rosemary is susceptible to issues with powdery mildew but this can be avoided by making sure there is good airflow around the plant.
Something like an electric fan nearby or keeping a window open should do the trick.
7. Lavender
For the most part, people grow lavender outside but it will do well indoors in small pots.
Much like rosemary, this is a more demanding plant and you have to get its care spot on if you want it to thrive.
Finding a sunny location is always going to be helpful and making sure that there is excellent air circulation is a key factor in taking care of these plants.
But when it’s well taken care of, lavender can get to be quite big. This means that you may have to transfer it into a new container at some point.
Works Fine – If you want a variety of lavender that’s easier to care for then we would suggest French lavender.
However, this doesn’t have quite as strong an aroma as the English variety so if you want something for getting rid of bugs, this would be the better option.
Conclusion
No matter where you live, you’ll no doubt have a battle with mosquitoes at some point or another.
If they’re finding their way into your home then one of the best natural methods to get rid of them is simply to place strong-smelling plants around the house.
There are several that will do the trick including things like rosemary, mint and the almighty citronella.
Make sure to choose a plant that you’ll be able to take care of and find the right spot to allow it to thrive.
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