A beautiful lavender field with rows of purple flowers stretching into the horizon under a clear blue sky.
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31 Plants That Repel Pests and How to Care for Them

ByIsabella @ Living Chic

Gardening can be a rewarding hobby, but dealing with pests can be a challenge. Fortunately, nature provides us with a range of plants that not only beautify our gardens but also help deter unwanted insects. Here’s a comprehensive guide to 31 plants that repel pests, along with tips on their care and growing conditions.

1. Marigolds

Repels: Nematodes, whiteflies, aphids

Care: Marigolds prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly but avoid over-watering to prevent root rot.

Vibrant marigolds with bright orange and yellow petals, set against lush green foliage.

2. Lavender

Repels: Moths, fleas, flies, mosquitoes

Care: Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Prune regularly to maintain shape and encourage growth. Water sparingly.

A beautiful lavender field with rows of purple flowers stretching into the horizon under a clear blue sky.

3. Basil

Repels: Flies, mosquitoes

Care: Basil loves warm, sunny conditions and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Pinch off flowers to encourage leaf growth.

A thriving basil plant with lush green leaves in a well-tended garden bed, with morning dew glistening on the leaves.

4. Rosemary

Repels: Mosquitoes, cabbage moths, carrot flies

Care: Rosemary needs full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional deep watering. Prune to shape and promote air circulation.

A healthy rosemary bush with needle-like leaves, set against a Mediterranean-style garden background.

5. Mint

Repels: Ants, mosquitoes, mice

Care: Mint prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can be invasive, so it’s best grown in containers. Regular pruning helps control its spread.

A vibrant mint plant growing in a terracotta pot, with fresh green leaves illuminated by soft sunlight.

6. Chrysanthemums

Repels: Ants, roaches, ticks, fleas, silverfish

Care: These flowers need full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Colorful chrysanthemums in full bloom, with shades from yellow to deep red, set in a sunny garden.

7. Petunias

Repels: Aphids, tomato hornworms, asparagus beetles, leafhoppers

Care: Petunias thrive in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly but avoid wetting the foliage. Pinch back stems to encourage bushier growth.

Blooming petunias in a hanging basket, showcasing bright and varied colors against a blurred garden background.

8. Garlic

Repels: Aphids, Japanese beetles, spider mites, rabbits, deer

Care: Plant garlic in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly, but reduce watering as the bulbs mature. Harvest when the leaves turn yellow and begin to droop.

A cluster of freshly harvested garlic bulbs with dirt clinging to their roots, set on a rustic wooden table.

9. Borage

Repels: Tomato hornworms, cabbage worms

Care: Borage prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during dry periods. Deadhead flowers to prevent self-seeding.

A borage plant in bloom, with its star-shaped blue flowers attracting bees in a sunny garden.

10. Nasturtiums

Repels: Whiteflies, aphids, squash bugs, cucumber beetles

Care: Nasturtiums thrive in full sun to partial shade and poor to average, well-drained soil. Water regularly. They are low-maintenance and can tolerate neglect.

Vibrant nasturtiums growing along a garden path, their bright orange and yellow flowers contrasting with green leaves.

11. Catnip

Repels: Mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ticks

Care: Catnip prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Water moderately and prune regularly to prevent it from becoming too leggy.

A lush catnip plant with fresh green leaves, growing in a sunny corner of a garden.

12. Lemongrass

Repels: Mosquitoes

Care: Lemongrass loves full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially during dry periods. It can be grown in containers in colder climates.

Tall lemongrass stalks swaying gently in the breeze, set against a backdrop of a tropical garden.

13. Sage

Repels: Cabbage moths, carrot flies

Care: Sage needs full sun and well-drained soil. Water sparingly as it is drought-tolerant. Prune regularly to maintain shape and promote new growth.

A sage plant with velvety, gray-green leaves, growing in a well-tended herb garden under bright sunlight.

14. Thyme

Repels: Whiteflies, cabbage loopers, tomato hornworms

Care: Thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. Trim regularly to keep it compact and encourage new growth.

A thriving thyme plant with small, fragrant leaves, set in a rustic garden bed with a stone border.

Care: Thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. Trim regularly to keep it compact and encourage new growth.

15. Fennel

Repels: Aphids, slugs, snails

Care: Thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. Trim regularly to keep it compact and encourage new growth.

A fennel plant with feathery green leaves and yellow flowers, growing in a sunny vegetable garden.

16. Tansy

Repels: Ants, fleas, flies, moths, mice

Care: Tansy prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It can be toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so use with caution. Water moderately.

A tansy plant in bloom, with clusters of bright yellow button-like flowers, set against a green garden background

17. Alliums

Repels: Aphids, carrot flies, Japanese beetles

Care: Alliums need full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly but avoid over-watering. They are low-maintenance and can tolerate poor soil conditions.

An allium plant with a spherical purple flower head, standing tall in a well-maintained garden bed.

18. Rue

Repels: Flies, Japanese beetles, mosquitoes, cats

Care: Rue prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. Handle with care as it can cause skin irritation in some people.

A rue plant with feathery blue-green leaves, growing in a sunny garden with a mix of other herbs.

19. Oregano

Repels: Aphids, spider mites

Care: Oregano thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water sparingly as it is drought-tolerant. Prune regularly to keep it bushy and prevent legginess.

An oregano plant with small, aromatic leaves, set in a Mediterranean-style garden with bright sunlight.

20. Anise

Repels: Aphids

Care: Anise prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially during dry spells. It attracts beneficial insects and can be used in companion planting.

A flourishing anise plant with delicate white flowers, growing in a sunlit garden.

21. Lemon Basil

Repels: Mosquitoes, flies

Care: Lemon basil loves full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Pinch off flowers to encourage leaf growth.

A lemon basil plant with bright green leaves and a hint of yellow, growing in a well-tended herb garden.

22. Bay Leaves

Repels: Flies, moths, roaches

Care: Bay laurel trees prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Prune to shape and encourage bushier growth.

A bay laurel tree with glossy green leaves, growing in a terracotta pot on a sunny patio.

23. Chives

Repels: Aphids, Japanese beetles, carrot rust flies

Care: Chives thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Water regularly and divide clumps every few years to prevent overcrowding.

A chive plant with thin, green leaves and purple flowers, growing in a neat garden bed.

24. Dill

Repels: Aphids, spider mites, squash bugs, cabbage loopers

Care: Dill prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly but avoid over-watering. It attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps.

A dill plant with feathery green leaves and yellow flowers, set in a sunlit vegetable garden.

25. Geraniums

Repels: Leafhoppers, mosquitoes

Care: Geraniums need full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Water regularly but avoid wetting the foliage. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Vibrant geraniums in full bloom, with red and pink flowers, set against a garden backdrop.

26. Horseradish

Repels: Colorado potato beetles, aphids, whiteflies

Care: Horseradish prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Water regularly and harvest roots in the fall.

A horseradish plant with large, broad green leaves, growing in a sunny garden bed.

27. Lemon Balm

Repels: Mosquitoes, flies, ants

Care: Lemon balm thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly and prune to prevent it from becoming too invasive.

A lemon balm plant with fresh, green, lemon-scented leaves, growing in a shaded part of a garden.

28. Parsley

Repels: Asparagus beetles

Care: Parsley prefers partial shade and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly and remove flower stalks to encourage leaf growth.

A parsley plant with curly green leaves, growing in a rich, well-maintained garden bed.

29. Peppermint

Repels: Ants, aphids, flea beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, rodents

Care: Peppermint thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can be invasive, so it’s best grown in containers. Regular pruning helps control its spread.

A peppermint plant with dark green leaves, growing in a container on a sunny patio.

30. Radishes

Repels: Cucumber beetles, squash bugs

Care: Radishes need full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist. Harvest when the roots are young and tender.

Radish plants with bright green tops and red roots peeking out from the soil, growing in a garden bed.

31. Wormwood (Artemisia)

Repels: Moths, fleas, slugs, deer

Care: Wormwood prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. Prune regularly to maintain shape and promote new growth.

A wormwood (artemisia) plant with silvery, feathery leaves, growing in a sunny, well-drained garden bed.

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