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7 Perennial Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

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7 Perennial Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

On a fine Saturday evening, you are doing the most essential thing in the world, which brings you the most happiness. You are watching your favorite movie along with your family and enjoying every bit of that precious moment with your kids.

But this happiness does not last long, and you soon feel an itch. But it is not an itch; it is a small mosquito, the size of the pencil’s tip. And suddenly, a good quality family time is converted into a struggle not to be bitten by these pesky creatures. The fine Saturday evening for which you must wait and wait throughout the week goes in vain.

Mosquitoes: A Perfect Combination of Hazardous and Irritating

Despite being the size of a pencil tip, Mosquitoes are probably the most hated creatures to have ever lived on this earth. They are the culprits behind ruining billions of moments like the one mentioned above regularly. 

It is not just the Saturdays or family time. Mosquitoes in significant parts of the world are a primary reason for sleep deprivation and irritation. Despite being nothing in size compared to us, they are easily capable of destroying our peace of mind. All it takes for them is one sting. 

The Worst thing is that this does not end here. Their sting may bring a person some hefty diseases, which indeed are very severe. One of the primary diseases that they cause is Malaria, which alone was responsible for killing 4,05,000 people worldwide in 2018 (according to WHO). And Malaria is not the only deadly disease they cause. People are suffering from dengue and Chikungunya because of the bites from these pesky little creatures. 

Your children are even more vulnerable to these diseases. Apart from the health hazards, their sound also irritates us a lot. So, we should be prepared for a harbinger of these many serious and alarming problems and try to combat them in the best possible manner.

Combating Mosquitoes and Preventing the Diseases They Cause

How on earth can we fight these miniature monsters who are a reason behind a lot of diseases? You will not believe that the answer is some simple herbs and plants that appear very beautiful and eloquent but are very hazardous for these mosquitoes. These are perennial plants that repel mosquitoes and a lot of other insects. They enhance the beauty of the house and save us from those blood-sucking and irritating mosquitoes. And these are not the only utilities they provide. You would be surprised to know the multitude of uses they can be brought to.

Today, in our mission to eradicate these small but dangerous creatures out of every household, we will mention some plants that perform extraordinarily well when it comes to fighting the battle with mosquitoes. And the most significant benefit is that they are a natural and safe substitute for the chemical mosquito repellents that may harm your health.

Perennial Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Many plants act as a repellent to mosquitoes and other insects, but we will be talking about the most popular and readily available ones. These evergreen plants are mosquito repellent and have many other utilities. So, let us start with the list.

Cinnamon Basil

Cinnamon Basil

This plant gets its name from two different plants, i.e., cinnamon and basil. And its characteristics well display the reasons for its name. It is basil by breed and possesses a cinnamon plant’s critical essence, which is a pigment called Cinnamaldehyde. It is Cinnamaldehyde that gives cinnamon its smell. So cinnamon basil’s name pretty much justifiable.

 But what is in the name anyway! Let us know why it is so special. The thing that makes it so unique is its diversity of uses. It can be used as a mosquito repellent and works effectively for other bugs and insects. It can be used in the form of a plant or even use its dried version. It also gives your house a fascinating odor of cinnamon and acts as a decor item. 

If that is not enough, then wait for this utility. It is also edible. This means that it can be used for cooking purposes also. It can be used in your regular tea to make it even more flavorful and healthy. A lot of heavy for a small plant!

Cloves 

Cloves

Just like cinnamon basil, clove is also a perennial plant that can repel mosquitoes. Even these are small shrubs with a lot of utilities. When a clove plant flowers, it is beautiful and can multiply to your house’s decor. They cannot be cultivated in places with low temperatures, but it can be quickly grown in a temperate climate. The cloves which we use for daily use are the buds. 

This plant has a lot of medicinal values and is used in a lot of forms. If you possess its plant, you can simply cut it when you want to use it, but if you, like me, don’t possess the plant, then there are many other options for you. They can be either used in dried form, or the oil from it will also do the work. These are excellent natural mosquito repellent and can also be utilized in cooking and, most significantly, tea. 

The oil obtained from them is also useful in curbing dental pain. You see how powerful a clove is!

Rosemary

Rosemary

Next, in our list of perennial plants that repel mosquitoes, we have a plant that is also very popular. Like its other counterparts, it also possesses multiple characteristics that turn out to be very useful for us. 

It is certainly not a plant that you will be able to grow inside your house because of the space it demands (at least more than 5 feet). So, it is a perfect match for your garden. Both because of how unique it looks and how useful it turns out to be. Its look will add to the beauty of your garden, and its leaves and cuttings will help you to create a mosquito-free, peaceful environment around yourself. 

Moreover, it is also used in cooking, and it is this characteristic that makes it very costly (if you purchase it as a spice). So, a rosemary plant like the other plants mentioned above can come to a wide variety of uses, and just like them, it can also be used in different forms, i.e., as a cutting or dried. 

Thyme

Thyme

Thyme is also a very mosquito repellent herb. We can use this plant to get rid of those pesky mosquitoes and lead a calm life. Its aroma is toxic for many insects, and for this reason, it acts as a natural insecticide. So, if you are worried about what the insects would do to your beautiful garden, then you should think about planting thyme. They can help you keep your plants and your garden healthy. 

They are instrumental in sending off mosquitoes and can be placed in places where you usually sit or like to be. This would make the place free from those tiny bloodsuckers. 

Moreover, these perennial plants repel mosquitoes and are also edible. We can sprinkle them over dishes when they are fresh. The only problem with this is that you would have to replace it once it turns woody after some time.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass

These shrubs are high on vitamin c, making them a great condiment in many of the dishes, mostly Chinese. It is quite famous in Chinese cuisine. But other than its edible nature, it is also an effective mosquito repellent with a delicious smell. It can be planted in small pots and kept in places where you usually spend most of your time or the place most visited by mosquitoes. 

Like the others on the list, these are also perennial plants that repel mosquitoes. Sounds cool, huh!

Citronella 

Citronella

It is a very famous natural mosquito repellent used in almost every mosquito repellent product made from nature. The only catch is that it is not practical when it is in the plant form, but the oil obtained from it makes it a very effective mosquito repellent. 

You can easily purchase its oil from the local supermarket.

Lavender 

Lavender

An excellent plant is used in many cosmetic products and soaps because of its renowned fragrance and medicinal qualities. These are also perennial plants that repel mosquitoes. A lot of soaps claim to be mosquito repellent only because they contain lavender. 

Lavenders can be put in your closet along with your clothes. This is done to protect your clothes from the invasion of bugs and other insects and to give it a fragrance that you fall in love with when you take it out. You will not need a perfume anymore.

Conclusion

These are some popular perennial plants that repel mosquitoes. You must have observed that most of these plants have multiple uses, and to make things even more exciting, they are also edible. 

So, you do not need to worry about the children eating the mosquito repellent next time because it will not harm them. It would be healthy for them. The only ones to fear are the mosquitoes. 

If you do not have so much time at your disposal to grow these plants, you can purchase the dried ones or their oils from stores or supermarkets. 

So now you do not have to let those bloodsuckers irritate, nor you need to rely on artificial and chemical solutions because these natural repellents are there for your help.

Asher Pollan
Asher Pollan, with a Master’s in Botany from the University of Chicago, has been a plant enthusiast and educator for 16 years at a university. He joined our editorial team as a freelancer, sharing his knowledge of plant physiology, indoor gardening, and botanical science. His background includes roles in public gardens, as a horticultural therapist, and researcher, and taught the skills of everyday gardening to people in weekend workshops. He enjoys botanical illustration and participates in plant conservation initiatives.

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