The Best Plants That Repel Bugs In Your Garden

There’s nothing worse than finding holes in the leaves of a plant you’ve been waiting all season to grow. If insects are making a meal out of your garden, adding a few plants that repel bugs is one easy way to help keep them away naturally.

There are many different kinds of plants that will deter insects from eating your garden.

Most have one thing in common: A strong scent that bugs don’t find very appealing.

The smell also helps to mask the scent of other more appealing plants which keeps the bugs off your roses (or whatever other plants you are trying to protect).

To make the most of their pest-controlling ways, grow these flowers and herbs amongst the plants you are trying to save.

You can either put them in the ground nearby, or plant them in containers that can be positioned where you need them.

Here are some of my favorite plants that repel bugs.

1 | Basil

All kinds of basil will prevent flies, aphids and mosquitoes.

You can use it as a companion plant in the garden. However, it is a short-lived annual that you’ll need to plant in stages to keep it going all summer.

Or for a natural mosquito-repellent, crush the leaves and rub it on your skin to keep them from biting you.

2 | Bay leaf

Bay leaf is not only a common ingredient in many soup and stew recipes, but it is also a great insect repellent.

This slow growing plant can be planted in your garden for long lasting repellent against all sorts of insect pests.

You don’t even have to plant bay leaf to take advantage of it. Simply spreading store-bought leaves around your garden can work wonders at repelling pests.

3 | Catnip

Unlike cats, bugs such as mosquitoes hate catnip, making it a great plant to grow in your garden.

Be warned, however, that catnip can spread so be sure to put it in an area where it has room to grow. 

As an alternative, you can also grow it in pots near your garden and have the same effect. 

4 | Chives

Plants like chives, garlic and onion do a great job repelling all sorts of insects and even rabbits.

They’re also delicious and versatile plants, so adding them to your garden is a win-win.

Try planting them next to roses, tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and beans as a natural way to repel Japanese beetles.

5 | Lavender

Lavender is a herb with beautiful flowers that smells good to us, but not to the bugs.

It repels fleas, moths, mosquitoes, and many other insects.

To keep the bugs away from an outdoor gathering, try positioning large pots of lavender around your patio.

They’ll look pretty and help to prevent flies.

6 | Marigolds

A common companion plant often grown with tomatoes and squash, marigolds are probably the best known plant for repelling all kinds of pests.

Many insects, rabbits, and deer don’t like their strong scent.

Even their roots emit a strong odor which can keep moles, snakes and nematodes at bay.

Marigolds can be planted around your deck or in window boxes as a great way to repel mosquitos from your outdoor living space.

Just be aware that while most insects don’t like them, spider mites and snails are actually attracted to Marigolds so they may not be the best option for you if those are your most common pests.

There are mixed reports on whether or not they keep aphids away, but lots of gardeners swear that they do.

And that may be because Marigolds attract beneficial insects like ladybugs which love to feast on aphids.

7 | Rosemary

With its strong scent and needle-like leaves, rosemary is an evergreen, shrub-like herb that is rarely touched by bugs.

Which makes it a great companion plant for discouraging pests in your garden. Use it to prevent slugs, snails, carrot fly, and mosquitoes.

Of if you’re having a cookout and want to get rid of the flies and mosquitoes, throw a few sprigs of rosemary on the grill and let the scented smoke take care of them.

8 | Spearmint

Plant spearmint around the perimeter of your garden to keep bugs such as aphids and spiders away, as well as rodents like mice.

Since it is a member of the mint family, it can be invasive so you may want to plant it in containers to keep it from taking over your garden.

9 | Thyme

Thyme is a perennial herb that repels corn earworm, whiteflies, and tomato hornworm.

It’s a low-growing plant that isn’t invasive so you can easily put it in your garden.

However, its insect repelling properties work best if the leaves are bruised.

Which means planting it along the paths in your garden so that you walk on it will help improve its effectiveness.

Insect repellent plants by pest

Pest	Plants that repel them
aphids	Marigolds, chives, catnip, garlic, leeks, spearmint, basil
carrot fly	rosemary
fleas	lavender
flies	basil
Japanese beetles	Chives, catnip
mice	spearmint
moles	Marigolds
mosquitoes	catnip, basil, rosemary, lavender, lemon thyme
nematodes	Marigolds
rabbits	Marigolds, chives
slugs	rosemary
snakes	Marigolds
spider mites	dill
spiders	mint, spearmint
tomato hornworm	thyme
whiteflies	basil, spearmint, thyme

Have comments or questions about our bug deterrent plants? Tell us in the section below.