5 Mosquito-Repelling Plants for Your Balcony
Keep pesky mosquitoes at bay naturally. Grow the plants listed here and have a mosquito-free space
Mosquitoes can turn your outdoors into uninhabitable spots, especially during the evening hours. Chemical-based, store-bought diffusers could work well indoors but are not effective in the open areas of the home. Bringing in mosquito-repelling plants is a natural (and safe) way to keep these bugs away. Here is a list of plants that can help.
2. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
The Cymbopogon family houses a wide variety of grasses. Among them, lemon grass is native to regions of eastern and western India. Apart from its use in the kitchen, lemongrass oil appears in preservatives, medicines and perfumes too. This multifaceted plant is an ingredient in many commercial mosquito repellent creams. The oil extract of lemongrass can be sprayed around any area; its citrus-like fragrance effectively repels mosquitoes and many other pests.
What it needs:
This low-maintenance grass grows well in full sunlight and mildly moist, non-pooling soil. The watering schedule should be cut down in the winters when the growth is dormant.
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The Cymbopogon family houses a wide variety of grasses. Among them, lemon grass is native to regions of eastern and western India. Apart from its use in the kitchen, lemongrass oil appears in preservatives, medicines and perfumes too. This multifaceted plant is an ingredient in many commercial mosquito repellent creams. The oil extract of lemongrass can be sprayed around any area; its citrus-like fragrance effectively repels mosquitoes and many other pests.
What it needs:
This low-maintenance grass grows well in full sunlight and mildly moist, non-pooling soil. The watering schedule should be cut down in the winters when the growth is dormant.
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3. Marigold (Tagetes patula and Tagetes erecta)
Tagetes patula (French marigold) and Tagetes erecta (African marigold) are extensively cultivated in India for their beauty, fragrance and culinary properties (the flowers, that come in beautiful shades of yellow, orange and deep red, are used in the food colouring industry). Marigold flowers beautify and the fragrance deters mosquitoes, beetles and other bugs, making it a great plant to cultivate in gardens, balconies and at the entry points of the home.
What it needs:
Marigolds too, are easy to grow. They require full sun exposure and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. They can withstand very hot climates, too.
Tagetes patula (French marigold) and Tagetes erecta (African marigold) are extensively cultivated in India for their beauty, fragrance and culinary properties (the flowers, that come in beautiful shades of yellow, orange and deep red, are used in the food colouring industry). Marigold flowers beautify and the fragrance deters mosquitoes, beetles and other bugs, making it a great plant to cultivate in gardens, balconies and at the entry points of the home.
What it needs:
Marigolds too, are easy to grow. They require full sun exposure and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. They can withstand very hot climates, too.
4. Indian catmint (Anisomeles indica)
Catmint, believed to be a powerful mosquito-repelling species of the mint family, is an aggressive grower. The camphor-scented flowers of Indian catmint can be cut and boiled to make pest-repellant air sprays. Catnip (Nepeta cataria), which works equally well, is an alternative to the catmint herb.
What it needs:
Catmint can be grown in both partly sunny and fully sunny areas. Well-drained, humus enriched soil can further support the growth.
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Catmint, believed to be a powerful mosquito-repelling species of the mint family, is an aggressive grower. The camphor-scented flowers of Indian catmint can be cut and boiled to make pest-repellant air sprays. Catnip (Nepeta cataria), which works equally well, is an alternative to the catmint herb.
What it needs:
Catmint can be grown in both partly sunny and fully sunny areas. Well-drained, humus enriched soil can further support the growth.
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5. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Popularly known as a herb for seasoning, rosemary is a woody, perennial plant that is believed to keep mosquitoes, moths and flies away. For a strong and immediate effect in open areas, simmering rosemary leaves is said to chase off mosquitoes for a couple of hours.
What it needs:
This evergreen, drought-tolerant member of the mint family survives best in well-drained soil under partial to full sun exposure.
Read more:
8 Climbing Plants Great for Indian Balconies & Gardens
8 Best Succulents for Urban Indian Gardens
Tell us:
Do you know any more plant species that naturally repel mosquitoes? Let us know in Comments below.
Popularly known as a herb for seasoning, rosemary is a woody, perennial plant that is believed to keep mosquitoes, moths and flies away. For a strong and immediate effect in open areas, simmering rosemary leaves is said to chase off mosquitoes for a couple of hours.
What it needs:
This evergreen, drought-tolerant member of the mint family survives best in well-drained soil under partial to full sun exposure.
Read more:
8 Climbing Plants Great for Indian Balconies & Gardens
8 Best Succulents for Urban Indian Gardens
Tell us:
Do you know any more plant species that naturally repel mosquitoes? Let us know in Comments below.
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Ocimum basilicum or sweet basil is a culinary herb with medicinal properties, and Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known in India as tulsi, has been long used in traditional medicine. Basil is an antibacterial herb used for repelling mosquitoes. This bushy plant of the mint family is known to naturally repel mosquitoes when grown in the open areas around the home. Additionally, the oil of this aromatic herb can be extracted and used with diffuser sticks or cotton balls for day-long effect.
What it needs:
All plants of the basil family grow best in moist, well-drained soil. Direct sun exposure is great for this culinary herb.
How to grow basil