12 Plants that Repel Insects Naturally

Some plants repel insects with their strong scents and natural oils. These plants help keep bugs away without harmful chemicals, making them an excellent choice for a healthier garden.

Bug deterrent plants offer a safe and natural way to protect your outdoor space. Unlike pesticides, they don’t harm helpful insects or pollute the environment. By adding specific plants to your garden, you can enjoy a pest-free space while supporting a more sustainable way to grow food.

Why Use Plants to Keep Bugs Away?

Many people rely on chemical pesticides to keep bugs away, but these sprays can do more harm than good. They don’t just kill pests—they also harm bees, butterflies, and other helpful insects. Over time, pesticides seep into the soil and water, polluting the environment and affecting wildlife. They can even make their way into food, raising concerns about health and safety.

A better option is to use bug-deterrent plants. These plants naturally keep insects away with their strong scents and oils. They offer an eco-friendly pest-control solution. Unlike pesticides, they don’t disrupt the balance of nature or pose risks to people and animals. The right plants can protect your garden while supporting a healthier environment. Many of these plants have other benefits, like attracting pollinators or adding fresh herbs and flowers to your home.

How Plants Naturally Repel Insects

Plants have built-in defenses that help them survive in the wild. Some plants deter insects by giving off intense scents that bugs find overwhelming. For example, lavender and basil produce natural aromas that mosquitoes and flies avoid.

Other plants create oils or compounds that insects dislike. Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in many bug sprays. Garlic and onions release sulfur compounds that keep pests away from nearby plants.

Some plants act as trap crops, luring insects away from more valuable plants. Nasturtiums attract aphids, keeping them off vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. You can protect your garden naturally and chemical-freely by choosing the right plants that deter insects. These plants work together to create a balanced ecosystem, making them a smart choice for pest control.

Herbs That Deter Insects
Basil	Repels mosquitoes and flies, making it a great plant to grow near outdoor seating areas.
Lavender	Keeps moths, fleas, and mosquitoes away with its soothing scent. It also appeals to pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Rosemary	Deters mosquitoes and cabbage moths. It thrives in warm weather and can be planted near vegetable gardens to keep pests away.
Flowers That Keep Bugs Away
Marigolds	Their scent repels aphids, mosquitoes, and nematodes, making them great companion plants for vegetables like tomatoes and peppers.
Chrysanthemums	Contain pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in many bug sprays. They help deter roaches, ants, and ticks.
Petunias	Deter aphids, tomato hornworms, and leafhoppers. They’re easy to grow and add beauty to any garden.
Vegetables That Naturally Deter Pests
Garlic	Releases sulfur compounds that repel aphids, mosquitoes, and cabbage worms. It’s a great companion plant for peppers and tomatoes.
Onions	Planting them alongside carrots or lettuce can help reduce pest damage by keeping carrot flies and aphids away.
Chives	Protect against Japanese beetles and aphids. Their pungent smell also helps deter deer and rabbits.
Companion Planting for Pest Control
Nasturtiums	A trap crop for aphids, keeping them away from other plants like tomatoes and beans.
Mint	Its strong scent repels ants, mosquitoes, and other insects. However, it spreads quickly, so plant it in containers to control its growth.
Sage	Helps keep cabbage moths and beetles away, making it a great companion for brassicas like cabbage and broccoli.

The Best Plants That Repel Insects

Certain plants can help keep your garden pest-free without the need for harmful sprays. Selecting the right plants helps naturally deter insects while creating a thriving, balanced ecosystem. 

Herbs, flowers, and vegetables all play a role in natural pest control. Companion planting—growing specific plants together—can also help protect your crops. It can lure pests away or make your garden less inviting to insects. Below are some of the best plants that repel bugs and keep your garden healthy.

Lavender is an excellent insect deterrent.

Herbs That Deter Insects

Many herbs not only add flavor to meals but also help repel insects. Their natural scents and oils create an invisible shield against common pests.

• Basil – Repels mosquitoes and flies, making it a great plant to grow near outdoor seating areas.

• Lavender – Keeps moths, fleas, and mosquitoes away with its soothing scent. It also appeals to pollinators like bees and butterflies.

• Rosemary – Deters mosquitoes and cabbage moths. It thrives in warm weather and can be planted near vegetable gardens to keep pests away.

These plants that repel insects are easy to grow and provide multiple benefits, from pest control to fresh herbs for cooking.

Marigolds act as a natural mosquito repellent.

Flowers That Keep Bugs Away

Flowers can do more than just add color to your garden—they also help repel unwanted pests. Their strong scents and natural chemicals make them an excellent choice for natural pest control.

• Marigolds – Their scent repels aphids, mosquitoes, and nematodes, making them great companion plants for vegetables like tomatoes and peppers.

• Chrysanthemums – Contain pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in many bug sprays. They help deter roaches, ants, and ticks.

• Petunias – Deter aphids, tomato hornworms, and leafhoppers. They’re easy to grow and add beauty to any garden.

Adding flowers that keep bugs away can enhance your garden’s appearance while reducing pests naturally.

Onions help reduce pest damage to other plants.

Vegetables That Naturally Deter Pests

Some vegetables have natural pest-repelling properties. They can help protect your garden without the need for chemicals.

• Garlic – Releases sulfur compounds that repel aphids, mosquitoes, and cabbage worms. It’s a great companion plant for peppers and tomatoes.

• Onions - Planting them alongside carrots or lettuce can help reduce pest damage by keeping carrot flies and aphids away.

• Chives – Protect against Japanese beetles and aphids. Their pungent smell also helps deter deer and rabbits.

By growing vegetables that deter insects, you can keep your crops healthier while reducing the need for pesticides.

Mint is a strong ant and mosquito repellent.

Companion Planting for Pest Control

Companion planting naturally protects your garden by pairing plants that benefit each other. Some plants act as trap crops, drawing pests away from important vegetables, while others create scents that repel bugs.

• Nasturtiums – A trap crop for aphids, keeping them away from other plants like tomatoes and beans.

• Mint – Its strong scent repels ants, mosquitoes, and other insects. However, it spreads quickly, so plant it in containers to control its growth.

• Sage – Helps keep cabbage moths and beetles away, making it a great companion for brassicas like cabbage and broccoli.

Companion planting with bug-deterrent plants is a smart gardening technique. It's a natural way to reduce pests while promoting a healthier, more productive garden. Other sustainable ways to prevent pests exist, like the controlled environments in Eden Green’s greenhouses.

Sustainable Pest Control with Hydroponic Greenhouses

Traditional farms use pesticides to keep bugs away, but these chemicals can pose environmental risks and leave residue on food. Eden Green’s hydroponic greenhouses solve this problem by growing plants in a fully controlled space where pests can’t escape.

Our system keeps crops safe without the need for harmful sprays. Because we grow plants indoors, we don’t have to worry about insects damaging them. This means our hydroponic produce is fresh, clean, and pesticide-free.

Unlike traditional farming, hydroponic greenhouses use innovative technology to stop pest problems before they start. This creates a safer, more sustainable way to grow food. Want to learn more? Contact Eden Green to see how we are changing farming for the better.

FAQs about Bug Repelling Plants

What is the best plant to keep bugs away?

There isn’t a single best plant, but some of the most effective options include basil, lavender, and marigolds. These plants give off strong scents that insects dislike, making them excellent natural repellents for gardens and outdoor spaces.

What smell do bugs hate the most?

Many bugs hate the smell of pungent herbs and flowers. Familiar scents that repel insects include citronella, peppermint, lavender, and garlic. These natural aromas help keep pests away without the need for chemical sprays.

What plants will keep flies and mosquitoes away?

Several plants help deter flies and mosquitoes. Basil, rosemary, and mint are great at repelling flies. Citronella, lavender, and marigolds work well against mosquitoes. Planting these around outdoor seating areas can help keep bugs away.

What plant is a natural insect repellant?

Chrysanthemums are one of the best natural insect repellents. They contain pyrethrin, a compound used in many bug sprays. Other good options include garlic, lemongrass, and petunias, all of which help keep pests at bay.