During the summer months, mosquitoes can quickly become a real nuisance. To avoid the excessive use of chemical insecticides, there are natural solutions such as certain plants that have the ability to repel mosquitoes thanks to their scent or their insect repellent properties. In this article, we will introduce you to some of these plants as well as tips for incorporating them into your garden or interior.
lemon verbena
Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) is arguably the best known plant for repelling mosquitoes. Native to South America, this plant gives off a pleasant lemon scent when its leaves are rubbed. It is also used in cooking and herbal medicine for its medicinal properties. To take advantage of its repellent effect, you can plant lemon verbena near your outdoor relaxation areas or even grow it in pots on your balcony or terrace.
Cultivation tips
- Exposure: sun
- Soil type: drained, light
- Watering: moderate
- Adult size: 1 to 3 meters
- Hardiness: -10°C
The scented geranium
Scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is another plant known to repel mosquitoes with its fragrance both lemony and peppery. It can be grown both in the ground and in pots, making it an ideal choice to adorn your balconies, terraces and window sills. In addition to its insect repellent effect, the scented geranium is also appreciated for its beautiful pink or white flowers.
Cultivation tips
- Exposure: sun
- Type of soil: rich, light and drained
- Watering: regular
- Adult height: 0.5 to 1.5 meters
- Hardiness: -5°C
Lemon balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb with green, serrated leaves that give off a pleasant lemony scent when crushed. It has been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties and can be consumed in herbal tea. Its fragrance also has the particularity of repelling mosquitoes. You can plant it in your garden near places of relaxation, or even compose a bouquet of lemon balm and lemon verbena to accentuate the repellent effect.
Cultivation tips
- Exposure: sun or partial shade
- Type of soil: rich and fresh
- Watering: regular
- Adult size: 0.5 to 1 meter
- Hardiness: -15°C
petunia
The petunia (Petunia x hybrida) is an annual plant very popular for its brightly colored flowers. Although less known for its repellent effect, the petunia gives off a slight odor that seems to bother mosquitoes. It can therefore be interesting to integrate it into your floral arrangements to add an aesthetic touch while taking advantage of its insect-repellent properties.
Cultivation tips
- Exposure: sun
- Soil type: light and drained
- Watering: moderate
- Adult height: 0.2 to 0.6 meters
- Hardiness: not hardy, to be grown as an annual
Tricks to reinforce the repellent effect of plants
Here are some tips to optimize the repellent effect of mosquito repellent plants:
- Create synergies between plants by combining them in your beds, planters or pots. For example, you can combine lemon verbena, lemon balm and scented geranium to create a stronger scent.
- Multiply the points of diffusion of the perfume by placing several pots of repellent plants around your terrace or garden furniture.
- Lightly rub the leaves of the plants to release their scent and accentuate their repellent effect. However, be careful not to damage the leaves by crushing them too hard.
By choosing these plants that repel mosquitoes, you will opt for a natural and aesthetic solution to preserve your summer evenings from pests. Plus, some of these plants can be used in cooking or herbal tea, making them a practical and versatile choice for your garden or home.
