Mosquito repelling plants

Stop letting mosquitoes win by installing these great North Texas mosquito-repelling plants.

Here are the top 7 plants we have chosen

  1. Thyme
  2. Society Garlic
  3. Lavendar
  4. Rosemary
  5. Citronella
  6. Lemon Grass
  7. Marigold

There you are, enjoying a conversation outside with friends or neighbors, when the mosquitoes launch their attack.

First, someone starts swatting at an ankle. Then another person gets bitten on the arm. Before long, everyone is distracted, uncomfortable, and ready to go back inside.

Once again, the mosquitoes win.

Although no single mosquito repelling plant can create a mosquito-proof force field around your property, several aromatic plants can be useful additions to a broader mosquito-management plan. Many of these plants also provide colorful flowers, attractive foliage, cooking ingredients, and interesting texture for your landscape.

Here are seven plants worth considering for your North Texas garden, patio, or outdoor living area.

Fun Fact: The word “mosquito” comes from Spanish. When there is more than one buzzing around, you can call them either “mosquitos” or “mosquitoes.” Both are correct, although “mosquitoes” is the more commonly used spelling.

1. Society Garlic

Society garlic is one of the most versatile plants on this list.

It produces narrow, grass-like leaves and delicate violet or purplish flowers. The plant also has a noticeable garlic aroma, especially when its leaves are touched, cut, or crushed.

You may find two common versions at your local nursery:

  • Solid-green society garlic
  • Variegated society garlic

A variegated leaf contains more than one color. Instead of being completely green, the foliage may have green leaves with cream or white-colored stripes.

Both varieties have similar growing habits and produce attractive purple flowers. Properly identified society garlic can also provide a mild garlic flavor for cooking.

Before eating any plant from your landscape, make sure it has been correctly identified and has not been treated with a pesticide or landscape product that is not approved for edible plants.

Where to Plant Society Garlic

Society garlic is highly aromatic mosquito-repelling plant, so think carefully about where you place it.

It may be tempting to plant those beautiful purple blooms beside the front door. However, every time someone brushes against the leaves or opens the door, a strong rush of garlic fragrance could follow them into the house.

Better locations may include:

  • Along a sunny garden border
  • Near a backyard seating area
  • Around a hammock
  • Beside a vegetable or herb garden
  • Near an outdoor living area away from frequently opened doors

Society garlic provides flowers, fragrance, heat tolerance, and an attractive ornamental-grass appearance.

2. Lavender

Lavender can be a showstopper perennial when it is planted in the right location.

Its silvery-green foliage creates an attractive texture even when the plant is not flowering. When it blooms, its purple flower spikes can become one of the most noticeable features in the garden.

Lavender is also highly aromatic. Brush your hand across the foliage and you will immediately recognize its familiar fragrance.

Depending on the variety, lavender may be used for:

  • Landscape color
  • Cut-flower arrangements
  • Fragrant sachets
  • Homemade potpourri
  • Herb gardens
  • Pollinator-friendly planting areas
  • Decorative patio containers

There are many varieties of lavender available, but not every variety performs equally well in North Texas.

Lavender generally prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It does not like sitting in wet soil, particularly when high temperatures and humidity arrive. Ask a knowledgeable local nursery which varieties perform best in your area.

3. Rosemary

Rosemary brings structure, fragrance, flowers, and flavor to the landscape.

One common upright variety is often sold as Tuscan Blue rosemary. It grows into a substantial, shrub-like herb and can produce many small blue flowers during warm weather.

Rosemary releases its familiar fragrance whenever the foliage is touched or brushed.

Our crews at Main Street Mowing have occasionally brushed rosemary against their pants or clothing before entering a backyard with a less-than-friendly dog. The strong rosemary fragrance may distract the dog from the unfamiliar scent of the person entering the yard.

Of course, rosemary should never be relied upon as a safety measure around aggressive animals. Proper pet restraint and safe access procedures are still essential.

Upright Rosemary

Upright rosemary grows into a woody, shrub-like plant. It works well in:

  • Herb gardens
  • Foundation beds
  • Sunny landscape borders
  • Large containers
  • Outdoor kitchen areas

Trailing Rosemary

Trailing rosemary grows outward and downward.

Plant it near the top of a retaining wall or raised planter, and its branches can spill over the edge like a fragrant green curtain.

Rosemary is also useful in the kitchen. It can add flavor to:

  • Roasted vegetables
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Potatoes
  • Bread
  • Soups
  • Marinades

Rosemary generally performs best in full sun and soil that drains well.

4. Citronella

Most people recognize the word citronella from candles, torches, sprays, and oils marketed for outdoor mosquito control.

Citronella-scented plants can also be found at many garden centers. Their lemony fragrance makes them an appealing choice for containers, patios, and outdoor seating areas.

Citronella plants can work well:

  • In decorative patio containers
  • Near outdoor conversation areas
  • Along sunny walkways
  • Beside decks
  • Around outdoor kitchens
  • Mixed with other aromatic herbs

It is important to understand the difference between having a citronella-scented plant nearby and using a properly formulated insect-repellent product.

Simply placing a citronella plant beside your chair will not create a guaranteed mosquito-free area. Consider it a fragrant landscape addition and one part of a broader mosquito-management plan.

5. Lemongrass

Lemongrass has tall, arching leaves and a clean citrus fragrance.

Its upright shape can add height and movement to an herb garden or decorative container. It can also provide a bold tropical appearance in a sunny landscape bed.

Lemongrass is a popular cooking ingredient, particularly in many Asian-inspired dishes.

It may be used in:

  • Soups
  • Curries
  • Marinades
  • Sauces
  • Teas
  • Stir-fry recipes

Place lemongrass where you can appreciate both its scent and appearance, such as:

  • Near a patio
  • In a large decorative container
  • At the back of an herb garden
  • Along the edge of an outdoor kitchen
  • Behind shorter flowering plants

Lemongrass can grow into a fairly substantial plant, so give it enough space to develop without crowding smaller flowers and herbs.

6. Marigolds

Need more color? Plant marigolds.

Marigolds produce cheerful flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, and gold. Depending on the variety, they can be planted along borders, in flower beds, around vegetable gardens, or in decorative containers.

You can start marigolds from seed or purchase small plants that are already blooming.

Purchasing established plants in four-inch nursery containers is one of the quickest ways to add immediate color to your landscape.

Marigolds can be planted:

  • Along the front of landscape beds
  • Around vegetable gardens
  • In patio containers
  • Beside walkways
  • Around mailboxes
  • Near outdoor seating areas
  • Between taller herbs and ornamental plants

Marigolds generally appreciate sunny conditions, and many varieties hold up well during hot Texas weather when properly watered.

7. Thyme

Thyme may be small, but it brings plenty of usefulness to the garden.

This low-growing herb produces tiny leaves with a strong, earthy fragrance. When the foliage is brushed, trimmed, or lightly crushed, it releases aromatic oils.

Thyme is an excellent choice for homeowners who want a plant that can serve more than one purpose.

Depending on the variety, thyme can be used:

  • As a cooking herb
  • Along sunny walkways
  • Between stepping stones
  • Around raised garden beds
  • Near patios and outdoor kitchens
  • As a low-growing landscape border
  • In containers with other herbs
  • Along the top of a retaining wall

Common Culinary Thyme

Common thyme grows in a compact, somewhat shrub-like form. It can be harvested for use in:

  • Soups
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Fish
  • Marinades
  • Sauces
  • Herb-seasoning blends

Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme grows closer to the ground and can spread across open areas.

It may be used to soften the edges of pathways, spill over retaining walls, fill small gaps between stones, or create a fragrant border along the front of a planting bed.

Some varieties also produce small pink, white, or purple flowers that add seasonal color and attract pollinators.

Like rosemary and lavender, thyme generally prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Avoid planting it in areas that remain constantly wet, especially during periods of heavy North Texas rainfall.

Plant thyme close enough to a walkway or seating area that people will occasionally brush against the foliage and release its fragrance.

Where Should You Plant These MosquitPlants?

Strategic placement is more useful than randomly scattering plants around the property.

Focus first on the areas where people spend the most time outside:

  • Patios
  • Outdoor kitchens
  • Pool seating areas
  • Hammocks
  • Garden benches
  • Walkways
  • Decks
  • Covered porches
  • Conversation areas

You can also combine several of these plants in one landscape bed.

For example:

  • Upright rosemary can provide structure.
  • Lemongrass can create height in the background.
  • Lavender and society garlic can provide purple flowers.
  • Marigolds can add bright seasonal color.
  • Thyme can form a fragrant, low-growing border.
  • Citronella can be placed in decorative containers nearby.

The result is a layered landscape that looks intentional while providing a variety of fragrances, flowers, textures, and cooking ingredients.

Can Plants Completely Repel Mosquitoes?

No plant can guarantee complete protection from mosquitoes simply by growing in your yard.

Many aromatic plants contain oils that are commonly associated with insect-repellent products. However, the presence of the plant alone is generally not enough to prevent every mosquito from entering an outdoor area or biting someone.

These plants should be viewed as attractive additions to a broader mosquito-management strategy.

For better results, combine landscaping improvements with:

  • Regular standing-water removal
  • Clean gutters
  • Proper landscape drainage
  • Maintained swimming pools
  • Outdoor fans around seating areas
  • Window and door screens
  • Appropriate personal insect repellent
  • Professional mosquito-control services when needed

Don’t Forget the Most Important Mosquito-Control Step

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in or near standing water.

At least once a week, inspect your property and empty, scrub, cover, or turn over objects that can collect water.

Common problem areas include:

  • Buckets
  • Plant saucers
  • Children’s toys
  • Birdbaths
  • Wheelbarrows
  • Clogged gutters
  • Trash containers
  • Small pools
  • Tarps
  • Uncovered storage containers
  • Low spots with poor drainage
  • Watering cans
  • Pet bowls left outside

Even a small amount of water can become a mosquito-breeding location.

When personal protection is needed, use an EPA-registered insect repellent according to the directions on its label.

Build a Landscape You Can Actually Enjoy

Your backyard should be a place where you can relax, visit with friends, and enjoy your family—not a place everyone abandons because the mosquitoes are winning.

Consider adding society garlic, lavender, rosemary, citronella, lemongrass, marigolds, or thyme in strategic locations throughout your landscape.

These plants will not eliminate every mosquito, but they can contribute:

  • Fragrance
  • Flowers
  • Landscape texture
  • Cooking ingredients
  • Pollinator activity
  • Seasonal color
  • Personality around outdoor living spaces

Combine aromatic plants with good drainage, regular standing-water removal, and proven personal protection when needed.

Then get back outside and reclaim your yard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best mosquito-repelling plants for North Texas?

Popular aromatic choices include society garlic, lavender, rosemary, citronella-scented plants, lemongrass, marigolds, and thyme. These plants can add fragrance, color, and texture to a landscape, but they should be considered a supplemental measure rather than complete mosquito protection.

Will planting mosquito-repelling plants eliminate mosquitoes?

No. Simply placing aromatic plants in a landscape will not eliminate mosquitoes or guarantee protection from bites. Standing water should be removed regularly, and an EPA-registered insect repellent should be used when personal protection is needed.

What does variegated society garlic mean?

Variegated society garlic has leaves containing more than one color, typically green with cream or white stripes. Solid-green and variegated varieties have similar growth habits and produce attractive purple or lavender-colored flowers.

Where should society garlic be planted?

Society garlic works well in sunny garden beds, borders, herb gardens, and areas near outdoor seating. Because it releases a strong garlic odor when disturbed, avoid planting large quantities immediately beside frequently opened doors or windows.

Can rosemary be planted along a retaining wall?

Yes. A trailing rosemary variety can be planted near the top of a retaining wall or raised planter so its branches cascade over the edge. Upright rosemary is better suited for locations where a shrub-like form is desired.

Is thyme a good plant to place near a patio?

Yes. Thyme grows well in sunny containers, garden borders, raised beds, and areas near patios or outdoor kitchens. Its fragrant foliage releases more aroma when it is touched or lightly crushed. However, thyme alone will not provide complete mosquito protection.

Which of these plants can also be used for cooking?

Society garlic, rosemary, lemongrass, and thyme are commonly used for cooking when the plants have been properly identified and grown without products that make them unsuitable for consumption. Some lavender varieties may also be used for culinary purposes.

Do mosquito-repelling plants need full sun?

Many of these plants, including rosemary, lavender, thyme, society garlic, lemongrass, and marigolds, generally perform best with plenty of sunlight. Exact requirements vary by variety, so review the plant label or ask a local nursery for guidance.

Can these plants be grown in containers?

Yes. Citronella, rosemary, thyme, lavender, lemongrass, and marigolds can all be grown in appropriately sized containers. Make sure the container has drainage holes and provides enough room for the plant’s mature size.

Ready to improve the appearance and usefulness of your landscape beds?

Main Street Mowing helps North Texas property owners maintain attractive bushes and outdoor spaces. Contact our team to discuss landscape-bed maintenance for your property.