Summer evenings are perfect for enjoying your back porch, surrounded by the beauty of nature. However, those pesky mosquitoes can quickly ruin the atmosphere. Instead of relying solely on chemical repellents, why not incorporate mosquito-repelling plants into your outdoor decor? These plants not only help keep mosquitoes at bay but also add aesthetic value to your outdoor living space. Let’s explore 25 amazing plants that serve as natural mosquito repellents and beautify your home.
1. Citronella
Citronella is one of the most well-known mosquito-repelling plants, often used in candles, sprays, and lotions. The plant itself, a type of lemongrass, is incredibly effective in keeping mosquitoes at bay. Citronella emits a strong lemony scent that masks other odors, making it harder for mosquitoes to locate their target.
With its tall, grassy appearance, Citronella makes an excellent addition to modern back porch ideas. It thrives in warm climates and can be grown in pots or directly in the ground. If you’re designing a back porch decor that blends beauty with function, Citronella is a must-have.
2. Lavender
Lavender is another popular plant that naturally repels mosquitoes. Known for its calming properties and beautiful purple flowers, lavender is a favorite in many households. The strong fragrance of lavender’s essential oils deters mosquitoes, making it a great choice for outdoor living spaces.
Beyond its repellent properties, lavender adds a touch of elegance to your modern patio furniture arrangement. Place lavender pots near seating areas or pathways to keep mosquitoes away while enjoying the soothing ambiance of this plant.
3. Marigolds
Marigolds are vibrant flowers that do more than just brighten up your garden—they’re natural mosquito repellents. These cheerful yellow and orange blooms produce a strong scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant, thanks to a compound called pyrethrum, which is often used in insect repellents.
Marigolds are easy to grow and can be placed in pots around your porch or garden beds. Their bright colors complement outdoor decor beautifully, especially when paired with modern patio furniture for a lively outdoor experience.
4. Basil
Basil is not just for cooking! This aromatic herb is a powerful mosquito repellent. The pungent smell of basil deters mosquitoes and other insects, making it an excellent choice for outdoor living spaces.
Plant basil in containers near your seating area to enjoy its mosquito-repelling benefits. It’s also a great addition to modern back porch ideas, offering functionality and beauty. Plus, you can easily snip some leaves for your next culinary creation.
5. Peppermint
Peppermint is a dual-purpose plant—its refreshing scent not only keeps mosquitoes away but also adds a fresh aroma to your outdoor space. The strong menthol smell masks the scent of humans and animals, making it harder for mosquitoes to target you.
Peppermint thrives in pots, making it a versatile choice for back porch decor. Use peppermint as a border plant around your patio, or keep it near seating areas for a fragrant and mosquito-free outdoor living experience.
6. Rosemary
Rosemary is an herb with multiple benefits, including its ability to repel mosquitoes. The strong, woody fragrance of rosemary is unpleasant to mosquitoes, making it a fantastic addition to your outdoor space.
This plant can be grown in containers or as part of a garden bed. Whether you’re looking to enhance your modern back porch ideas or add a touch of greenery to your outdoor living area, rosemary is an excellent choice.
7. Catnip
Catnip, a favorite of feline friends, is also highly effective at repelling mosquitoes. Studies have shown that catnip is more effective than DEET, the chemical found in most mosquito repellents.
If you’re a cat owner, you can place catnip around your outdoor space for dual benefits—your cat will love it, and the mosquitoes will stay away. Just be mindful that it can spread quickly, so keeping it in containers may be best for back porch decor.
8. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is another citrus-scented plant that mosquitoes can’t stand. The bright lemony fragrance is pleasant for humans but acts as a deterrent for mosquitoes, making it a perfect plant to have around outdoor seating areas.
Lemon balm grows well in pots or garden beds, adding a lush green touch to your modern patio furniture setup. Its mosquito-repelling properties and fresh scent make it an excellent addition to any outdoor living space.
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9. Sage
Burning sage has long been a natural way to repel mosquitoes, but having a sage plant in your garden or on your back porch can offer similar benefits. The earthy scent of sage is unpleasant to mosquitoes, helping keep your outdoor space bug-free.
Sage is a hardy plant that thrives in sunny spots, making it a great choice for outdoor living. Whether you’re designing a modern patio with sleek lines or a rustic back porch, sage fits right in with most decor styles.
10. Garlic
While garlic is more commonly known as a culinary ingredient, its strong odor also repels mosquitoes. Garlic plants release sulfur compounds that mosquitoes dislike, making it an effective addition to your garden or outdoor area.
Plant garlic near your porch or patio to deter mosquitoes. Not only will it serve as a natural repellent, but it also adds a unique element to your outdoor decor. You can even harvest garlic for use in your kitchen.
11. Lemon Thyme
Lemon thyme is a fragrant herb with a citrusy scent that mosquitoes avoid. This plant thrives in sunny locations, making it ideal for outdoor gardens, especially near seating areas where mosquitoes tend to gather.
Incorporating lemon thyme into your back porch decor adds both aesthetic value and function. Its small, lush appearance works well in containers or garden beds, providing a subtle but effective mosquito barrier.
12. Bee Balm
Bee balm, also known as monarda, is a colorful flowering plant that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies but repels mosquitoes. The plant’s bright blooms and strong scent make it a perfect addition to any outdoor space.
Bee balm adds a pop of color to your garden, complementing modern patio furniture and creating a vibrant outdoor living space. Its mosquito-repelling properties are a bonus, making your summer evenings more enjoyable.
13. Geraniums
Geraniums, particularly the lemon-scented variety, are excellent mosquito repellents. Their citrusy aroma deters mosquitoes while their beautiful flowers add color to your outdoor space. Geraniums are versatile and can be grown in pots, hanging baskets, or garden beds.
Geraniums fit perfectly into modern back porch ideas, providing a blend of function and beauty. Their mosquito-repelling properties make them ideal for placing around seating areas or entrances to your home.
14. Allium
Allium is a flowering plant related to onions and garlic, and like its relatives, it has mosquito-repelling properties. The strong scent of allium keeps mosquitoes at bay, while the tall, globe-like flowers add a striking visual element to your garden.
Incorporating allium into your back porch decor is a great way to combine function with style. Their unique appearance complements modern patio furniture and enhances the overall aesthetic of your outdoor living area.
15. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a tall, fragrant tree that is highly effective at repelling mosquitoes. The strong, menthol-like scent of eucalyptus oil confuses mosquitoes and makes it difficult for them to locate their target.
If you’re looking to add greenery to your outdoor living space, consider planting eucalyptus in pots or around your garden. Its tall, slender form makes it a great choice for adding height and texture to your back porch decor.
16. Mint
Mint is a refreshing herb known for its strong fragrance, which mosquitoes find intolerable. The menthol scent is powerful enough to repel mosquitoes, making mint a must-have plant for any outdoor space. Mint is also versatile and easy to grow, thriving in both pots and garden beds.
Mint spreads quickly, so it’s best to keep it contained in pots or small planters. This plant works perfectly with modern back porch ideas, as its vibrant green leaves add a fresh, lively touch to your decor. Plus, you’ll have easy access to mint leaves for cooking or making refreshing summer drinks.
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17. Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is another member of the mint family, and like its relatives, it’s an effective mosquito repellent. The strong fragrance of pennyroyal deters mosquitoes, making it a great choice for planting near seating areas or pathways in your garden.
Pennyroyal is a low-growing plant, so it works well as a ground cover or in pots placed strategically around your porch or patio. Its mosquito-repelling properties make it an excellent addition to your outdoor living space, especially when paired with modern patio furniture and other functional decor elements.
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18. Floss Flower (Ageratum)
Floss flower, or Ageratum, is a lovely flowering plant that produces clusters of fluffy blue, pink, or white blooms. Beyond its decorative appeal, floss flower contains a compound called coumarin, which mosquitoes find repellent.
This plant grows well in containers, borders, or garden beds, adding a splash of color to your outdoor decor. Floss flower fits beautifully into modern back porch ideas, complementing a range of outdoor living styles while helping to keep mosquitoes at bay.
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19. Pitcher Plant
The pitcher plant is unique in that it doesn’t just repel mosquitoes—it actually traps and consumes them! This carnivorous plant has deep, vase-like leaves filled with liquid that lures in mosquitoes and other insects, where they become trapped and eventually digested by the plant.
Pitcher plants add a fascinating element to your garden, perfect for creating a conversation piece in your outdoor space. Their functional beauty makes them a great addition to back porch decor, especially for those who appreciate exotic, modern plants.
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20. Clove Tree
The clove tree, known for its aromatic flowers and buds used in cooking, also serves as a natural mosquito repellent. The strong fragrance of clove oil, extracted from the tree’s buds, masks the scent of humans and animals, keeping mosquitoes at a distance.
The clove tree grows well in tropical and subtropical climates, and its beautiful blooms make it an attractive addition to any garden or back porch. Incorporating clove trees into your outdoor living space adds both beauty and function, making your summer evenings more enjoyable.
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21. Lantana
Lantana is a colorful flowering plant that produces clusters of small, bright blooms. It’s not only visually striking but also effective at repelling mosquitoes. The strong scent of lantana deters mosquitoes, making it an excellent choice for planting around outdoor seating areas.
Lantana grows well in pots or garden beds and thrives in warm, sunny climates. Its vibrant colors make it a great addition to modern patio furniture setups, adding a pop of color and helping to create a mosquito-free outdoor space.
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22. Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena is another citrus-scented plant that mosquitoes find unpleasant. The plant’s fragrant leaves emit a strong lemony aroma that masks the scent of people, making it harder for mosquitoes to find you.
Lemon verbena grows well in containers and can be placed near seating areas or along pathways. Its mosquito-repelling properties, combined with its fresh fragrance, make it a great addition to back porch decor, adding both beauty and function to your outdoor living area.
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23. Thyme
Thyme is a fragrant herb commonly used in cooking, but its strong scent also repels mosquitoes. The oil produced by thyme leaves contains compounds that mosquitoes find repulsive, making it a great addition to your outdoor garden.
Thyme can be grown in pots or as ground cover, fitting seamlessly into your modern back porch ideas. Its small, green leaves add texture to your outdoor decor, while its mosquito-repelling properties make it a practical choice for summer evenings.
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24. Petunias
Petunias are a classic garden flower, known for their bright, cheerful blooms. In addition to adding beauty to your garden, petunias are natural mosquito repellents. The strong fragrance of petunias keeps mosquitoes and other pests away, making them an excellent choice for planting near outdoor seating areas.
Petunias come in a wide range of colors and can be planted in containers, hanging baskets, or garden beds. Their versatility and mosquito-repelling properties make them a perfect addition to back porch decor, helping you create a vibrant, pest-free outdoor living space.
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25. Tea Tree
The tea tree is a powerful plant known for its antiseptic and insect-repelling properties. Tea tree oil is often used in natural insect repellents, and having the plant in your garden can help keep mosquitoes at bay. The strong fragrance of tea tree oil confuses mosquitoes, preventing them from locating their target.
Tea trees grow best in warm climates and can be planted in containers or directly in the ground. Incorporating tea trees into your back porch decor adds a touch of greenery while providing a natural mosquito-repelling solution.
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Conclusion
By incorporating these 25 mosquito-repelling plants into your outdoor living space, you can create a beautiful and functional garden that enhances your back porch decor while keeping mosquitoes away. Whether you’re looking to design a modern patio with sleek furniture or a cozy, rustic back porch, these plants offer a natural, eco-friendly solution to enjoying the outdoors without the hassle of insect bites.
Remember, combining a variety of these plants will create a more effective mosquito barrier. Consider placing pots of citronella, lavender, and basil near seating areas, and use flowering plants like marigolds and lantanas to add color and vibrancy to your outdoor space. Not only will you keep mosquitoes at bay, but you’ll also enjoy the beauty and fragrance of a well-curated garden.
Happy planting, and may your outdoor evenings be mosquito-free!
