The use of indoor plants as a decorative piece can do more than add a touch of greenery to your home. Certain plants offer more than just adding aesthetic value to your living space, promoting a tranquil environment.
They can also act as natural mosquito repellents, allowing you to enjoy your living space without fear of pesky bites.
Mint, Rosemary, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Catnip, Marigold, and Basil are all good choices for indoors. Not only do they look great, but their musks and fragrances act as natural repellents to mosquitoes.
Learn More About These Indoor Plants as Mosquito Repellents
People have started looking for alternative methods to control mosquitoes, and these plants provide an excellent option.
Aside from promoting good oxygen and air circulation, these plants help reduce the presence of mosquitoes inside your home. Here are our top choices:
Mint
The mint family of herbs is one of the most popular choices for indoor plants that repel mosquitoes. Known for their refreshing aroma and distinct flavor, these plants are a great natural mosquito repellent.
Mint can be put in hanging baskets or decorative pots for a more pleasing aesthetic.
Alternatively, you can also use mint essential oils as an all-natural insect repellent. The scent of these essential oils, when used in combination with citronella candles and incense, will help to keep mosquitoes away without the need for any harsh chemicals or sprays.
Rosemary
This hardy evergreen shrub has long been a popular choice for kitchen gardens due to its culinary and herbal uses. Rosemary has an earthy aroma and a distinct flavor, making it perfect for use in cooking.
It balances out the sweetness of other herbs and spices and has a wonderfully calming effect on people.
Aside from being used as a seasoning for food, the plant is also known for its mosquito-repelling properties. When placed around your home, it can help to keep mosquitoes at bay. Rosemary smells like a combination of pine and peppermint, making it a pleasant addition to any indoor garden.
What makes it even more popular is the simple fact that rosemary is very easy to grow and maintain. While it can grow pretty fast and large, it’s not invasive and remains contained in the pot or planter.
Its basic and sunlight requirements make it a great choice for those who want their indoor plants to look good and work hard to deter mosquitoes.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is an incredibly fragrant perennial plant that can easily fill any garden with its citrusy aroma. It not only looks beautiful with its small white and yellow flowers, but it also serves as a mosquito repellent!
The leaves of the lemon balm can be crushed to release even more of the strong scent and help keep those pesky bugs away.
Not only does this herb make for creative landscaping, but by growing it, you’ll get to conveniently enjoy mosquito-free outdoor enjoyment without having to spray on harsh chemicals.
Although it is commonly planted in outdoor gardens, the lemon balm plant is versatile enough to be used indoors. Given that you place it in the right spot, it will do its job of repelling mosquitoes just as well as if it were outdoors.
Place it on a sunny windowsill, and you’ll have a beautiful addition to your indoor space, as well as a natural bug repellent!
Lemongrass
The lemongrass plant has been used for years as a natural mosquito repellent, but its benefits don’t end there. With its vibrant, grassy scent and brilliant yellow hue, the lemongrass plant brings pizazz to any garden.
Its foliage is soft to the touch and can sway gracefully in the breeze, adding a gentle and calming atmosphere to your outdoor or indoor space.
Aside from mosquito-repelling abilities, the essential oils found in the plant are widely thought to provide relief from muscle pain and inflammation.
Cultivating a lemongrass plant does require patience since it grows slowly, but the effort is well worth it for all of these wonderful benefits!
Catnip
Catnip plants, with their curly, pointed leaves and soft white flowers, are a sight to behold. Their tufts of foliage dance in the wind against a backdrop of vibrant colors, making them a great addition to any living space.
But beyond its aesthetic value, catnip is known for being a natural insect repellent, specifically effective against mosquitoes. The plant’s pungent aroma wards off the bugs and can help you enjoy your space without worrying about getting bitten.
Marigold
The marigold plant, with its vivid yellow, orange, and white flowers, radiates cheer and beauty. This sunny flower is a staple of many gardens, known for its resilience to the environment and insects.
In fact, the scent of marigolds is so strong that it’s used as a natural mosquito repellant – perfect for gazing upon in the warm summer months.
Marigolds can also be planted indoors, adding a vibrant touch to any room. The beauty of these flowers is hard to resist, and you’ll be able to benefit from their mosquito-repelling abilities without having to worry about them taking over your home.
Plus, marigolds are incredibly easy to care for and maintain, so you won’t have to worry about them taking too much of your time, either.
Basil
Last but not least, basil is a culinary herb with many unique benefits. Not only does its sweet aroma fill the air, but when planted indoors, it wards off mosquitoes with its strong scent.
Although more commonly known for being a versatile ingredient in many dishes, the basil plant is also valuable to have around as a natural bug repellent.
Basil can be grown in containers or planters and placed near windows or doorways. Not only will it keep you safe from mosquitoes, but the fragrant smell of its leaves will make your home smell amazing! Just a few sprigs of fresh basil can make all the difference in your living space.
Final Thoughts
A pop of green in a few corners of your home or garden is all that it takes to enjoy the benefits of natural mosquito repellents.
Whether you prefer traditional plants like lemongrass and basil or something a bit more unique such as lemon balm and marigolds, there are plenty of options available for keeping mosquitoes at bay in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Take note to check the USDA zones for each plant you decide to go for, and don’t forget to take into account the amount of sunlight, water, and care it will need. Nevertheless, the effort you put in to cultivate the perfect space will be well worth it.
