Skip to Content

How To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Patio & Yard – With Plants!

Summer is almost here, and the battle is already starting to keep mosquitoes away from all of the outdoors spaces and places you love most.

Unfortunately, with warm weather comes the arrival of the pesky mosquito. And nothing will ruin a beautiful outdoor evening faster than an invasion of these unwelcome pests!

One minute, you and your family and friends are enjoying a glorious summer evening on the patio. But the next minute, everyone is flailing their arms and smacking their skin to fight off a mosquito attack.

But beyond their painful, itchy bites, these flying creatures also spread a whole host of diseases. Just one more of the many reasons everyone wants to keep them as far away as possible.

keep mosquitoes away
The dreaded mosquito – one of summer’s most annoying pests! Not only is their bite painful and itchy, it can also easily spread disease.

Controlling Mosquitoes Without Harsh Chemicals

There are, of course, all sorts of chemical concoctions available for mosquito control. Everything from mosquito repellents, aerosol sprays, creams and more can be found for sale.

But, not only can these products be expensive, they can also be a bit worrisome. Especially when it comes to the safety of you and your family. In addition, many of these pest sprays also kill beneficial insects like bees, butterflies and other key pollinators.

But what if you could help repel mosquitoes simply by planting a few, easy-to grow plants in your landscape? Well, actually, you can!

Citronella Plant
The oil from citronella plants has long been used in candles as a mosquito repellent. But this beautiful plant is a great choice to grow in a patio planter as a living repellent to keep mosquitoes away.

In fact, from potted patio plants, to herbs, perennials, annuals and more, there are actually a whole slew of plants that mosquitoes simply detest. Enough that it usually keeps them from even entering the space.

By simply planting and growing these plants near the outdoor areas you love, you can help drive away mosquitoes naturally. All while adding incredible natural beauty to your landscape and patio! Here is a look at 5 of the best plants to grow to help repel mosquitoes:

5 Plants To Grow To Help Keep Mosquitoes Away

Marigolds – 5 Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away

The pungent smell released by marigolds is extremely bothersome to mosquitoes. Even better, that same scent also happens to repel a lot of other annoying pests and insects too!

Marigolds are one of the best companion plants in the vegetable garden. There, they help keep everything from aphids, beetles, whiteflies and hornworms at bay. But they are also fantastic when it comes to repelling mosquitoes.

Grow as a border planting along decks an patios to help keep them out of entertaining spaces. Or, plant directly into pots and containers to add color and protection nearby.

marigolds and mosquitoes
Talk about a beautiful way to repel mosquitoes! The scent of marigolds is offensive to mosquitoes, and to many other common pests as well.

Marigolds come in so many different shapes and sizes, and bring loads of color to planters, gardens and flowerbeds. Varieties of French Marigolds (shown above) are some of the most effective marigolds at repelling pests.

Even better, they can be easily started from seed, making them extremely economical. Simply save seed heads from year to year, and you will have more than enough to plant again and again!

Nasturtiums – 5 Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away

Nasturtiums are another great annual flower for gardens and flowerbeds when it comes to controlling all types of pests. One of which, of course, happens to be mosquitoes!  

Nasturtium varieties bloom in a beautiful array of red, orange and yellow colors. They are also highly economical and easy to grow. Most varieties will germinate and grow quickly from seed planted directly in pots or the ground. 

They produce their own unique chemical marker that naturally repels mosquitos. It also helps stave off other pests such as aphids, whiteflies and squash bugs as well.

nasturtiums
Nasturtiums grow easily from seed and produce a chemical that many common pests simply don’t like. They are perfect in pots and containers, or along fences and walkways.

They can be a perfect hedge border planting around a garden. Even better, they look just as beautiful in small pots placed on a patio. Remove the blooms as they expire to help keep them blooming strong all summer long.

Citronella – 5 Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away

The Citronella plant has long been known as a natural repellent for mosquitoes. In fact, its unique scent is placed in candles, oils and sprays as a common deterrent. But the actual plant is perfect for helping to keep mosquitoes away naturally.

Although only winter hardy in growing zones 9 through 11, citronella can be grown in pots and containers on patios during the spring, summer and fall, and then overwintered indoors.

standing water
To help stop mosquitoes, be sure to eliminate standing water from your outdoor areas. Mosquitoes need placid water to breed. By eliminating pools of water around your yard, you can help to reduce their population.

The plant is ultra low-maintenance, and its beautiful blooms can add beauty to any sunny patio. All while protecting your from mosquitoes! Much like marigolds, they also grow easily from seed.

Oregano – 5 Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away

Oregano is a culinary herb that is not only delicious for adding flavor to dishes, but also wonderful in the fight to repel mosquitoes. 

It’s compact, fragrant and beautiful leaf structure look right at home in the garden. You can also grow them in planters and pots on patio tables too. Or, grow them as a trailer in hanging baskets. The options are endless!

Mosquitoes tend to stay away from the plants distinct aroma. However, the oil extract from oregano leaves is also wonderful for making all-natural repellent sprays. Some folks even rub the leaves on their arms and legs to keep mosquitoes from biting.

oregano to repel mosquitoes

And when you grow it on your patio – you have it handy for all of those tasty homemade culinary dishes. And what other plant can help to flavor pizza, pasta sauce – and help repel mosquitoes!

Lemon BalmPlants That Keep Mosquitoes Away

Lemon Balm is another easy-to-grow herb that has long been known to repel mosquitoes.

The leaves of lemon balm contain large amounts of citronellal. That just happens to be a compound that shares many of the same insect repelling benefits of Citronella. You can make sprays by blending and soaking the leaves, or use it right from the plant!

As an all-natural quick repellent, simply strip a few leaves off. Next, crush them in your hands, and rub on your exposed arms and legs. 

Check Out Our Latest Garden Podcast:

Lemon balm can be planted near patios, in gardens, or flowerbeds. It grows easily and fills the surrounding air with a wondrous scent.

Here is to keeping mosquitoes away from your outdoor entertaining areas – and enjoying a great summer! Happy Gardening – Jim and Mary.

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.

As always, feel free to email us at thefarm@owgarden.com with comments, questions, or to simply say hello! You can sign up for our free email list in the subscribe now box in the middle of this article. Follow us on Facebook here : OWG Facebook. This article may contain affiliate links.