These 8 flowers are what mosquitoes fear most. Keep 1 pot at home and save on mosquito coils and floral water.

As soon as summer comes, mosquitoes buzz around your ears, and it is truly unbearably annoying. Burning mosquito coils only stuns the mosquitoes, and after a few hours they are lively again; floral water has a strong smell, and while it fumigates the mosquitoes, it also makes you dizzy. It would be better to keep a few pots of flowers at home. These 8 flowers are what mosquitoes fear most. Keep 1 pot and save on both mosquito coils and floral water!

I. Mosquito-repellent geranium

Mosquito-repellent geranium is also known as scented geranium, and because it can also repel mosquitoes, everyone calls it mosquito-repellent geranium. Its scent contains citronellal, which becomes stronger when the temperature exceeds 15°C. It not only repels mosquitoes but also purifies the air at home. For a room of about 15 sq m, putting at most 2 pots is enough.

Cuttage and care of mosquito-repellent geranium

Mosquito-repellent geranium is very easy to propagate by cuttings, and it is not too late to plant it now! Cut 5-8 cm long branches. To ensure the survival rate, you can cut several and root them together. Find a few plastic water cups, poke a few holes in the bottom (for drainage and airflow), and fill them with moist sandy soil or coir soil. Insert the branches into the soil, one branch per cup, place them in a shady spot away from direct sun, spray water daily to keep them moist, and after about 7-15 days when roots form, they can be repotted together with the soil. Mosquito-repellent geranium can be grown indoors or outdoors; just avoid high heat and strong sun. Water again after the soil dries. Because its metabolism is fast, the leaves easily turn yellow and wither, but after picking them off, it will keep growing.

II. Night-blooming jasmine

Many mosquitoes come out at night, which is maddening. Hurry and keep a pot of night-blooming jasmine so they cannot tell east from west at night! Night-blooming jasmine has a strong fragrance, especially at night, and can drive away mosquitoes that are active at night. However, Huahua still recommends growing it in the living room or on the balcony; placing it in the bedroom may affect sleep.

Cuttage and care of night-blooming jasmine

Besides sowing, night-blooming jasmine can also be directly propagated by cuttings, which is faster and more convenient! Cut 1-year-old branches into 6-12 cm small sections, and cut off the leaves to preserve nutrients. Soak the branches in rooting water, or insert them into acidic leaf mold soil, coir soil, or cinder soil; either is fine. Place them in a shady spot, spray water daily, and keep the air and soil moist. They will root in about 2-3 weeks. Night-blooming jasmine likes a hot and humid environment and can bloom from May to October. This heat- and moisture-tolerant flower is easiest to keep alive in summer. As long as it is watered enough every 1-2 days, it will grow vigorously!

III. Venus flytrap

This big shot eats both mosquitoes and flies. Although it looks like a mung bean sprout, its two “toothed mouths” are very fierce against mosquitoes and insects. Once a mosquito or insect crawls onto the Venus flytrap's pod, its mouth immediately closes, trapping the insect, then it secretes digestive fluid to digest the small insect and absorb it as its own nutrients. Although Venus flytrap can catch flies, mosquitoes, and small black flies, it is rather passive and needs the insects to come to it, so you can plant more of them to increase the killing power! Venus flytrap is harmless to humans.

Sowing and care of Venus flytrap

Venus flytrap can be sown directly. Prepare a transparent disposable lunch box, poke a few holes in the lid for airflow, put some moist chopped sphagnum moss in the box, and scatter the seeds inside. After sowing, place it in a shady spot, do not let it be exposed to sun, keep the moss moist, and it will sprout in less than a week. Venus flytrap likes moisture. Usually keep it in a cool indoor place, and it is best to grow it in sphagnum moss. Spray water every 1-2 days, and it will soon grow small “pods.” Hyacinth.

IV. Sundew

Although sundew is small, it can be called a real “mosquito nemesis.” As soon as mosquitoes smell it, they come to throw themselves into the net. It kills mosquitoes quickly, ruthlessly, and accurately! Sundew is relatively effective against mosquitoes and small black flies, and occasionally it also catches some large insects. It is best to remove large insects by hand, otherwise it is difficult for the plant to digest them, and they also affect its appearance.

Sowing and care of sundew

Sundew is similar to Venus flytrap. Use moist chopped sphagnum moss, scatter the seeds, spray water daily, and just wait for them to sprout. Sundew takes about 20 days or so to grow into shape. During this time, you can divide individual plants into separate pots or not; just handle it according to your own preference. The “small water droplets” on the sundew are its special juice, used to stick to small insects, so do not knock them off. When watering, be careful to water into the pot, or spray water upward into the air to increase air humidity.

V. Dalmatian chrysanthemum

Many flower lovers grow lots of flowers in their yards and on balconies, which easily attracts mosquitoes and insects, giving them a headache. Hurry and plant Dalmatian chrysanthemum. Its pyrethrin is one of the raw materials for mosquito coils and can drive mosquitoes and insects far away! Dalmatian chrysanthemum is very suitable for planting in yards and on balconies to repel mosquitoes and insects. Many botanical gardens plant Dalmatian chrysanthemum on a large scale to prevent too many mosquitoes and insects in summer.

Sowing and care of Dalmatian chrysanthemum

Ordinary garden soil can be used to sow Dalmatian chrysanthemum. During this period, keep the potting soil moist. There is no need to water heavily; spray with a spray bottle every 1-2 days, and it will sprout in 3-5 days. Dalmatian chrysanthemum is relatively heat- and drought-tolerant. Seedlings can be exposed to light after 2-3 weeks. For normal care, just avoid strong sun, and it will bloom in about 1 month.

VI. Fragrant wood

Fragrant wood is a common green potted plant for us. It can be grown at home and in the office. It not only absorbs formaldehyde and purifies the air, but also repels mosquitoes. However, 90% of the fragrant wood on the market now is fake, substituted with pepperwood, so everyone must distinguish them clearly! Fragrant wood also relies on scent to repel insects. Its scent is similar to citrus peel, and small insects take a detour when they smell it. Some have a relatively faint scent, so you can keep 2-3 pots at home.

How to distinguish fragrant wood from pepperwood

The leaf tip of fragrant wood has a pair of leaves, while pepperwood has only one leaf. The new leaves of fragrant wood are red, while the new leaves of pepperwood are green. Only fragrant wood has the mosquito-repellent effect, while pepperwood cannot repel mosquitoes, so everyone must keep their eyes sharp and not choose the wrong one.

VII. Mugwort

Everyone is surely familiar with mugwort. It is a mosquito-repellent plant familiar to ordinary Chinese people. In the 1990s, it could be said to be seen everywhere, but now there is less and less of it.

Prepare a relatively heat-resistant container, such as a ceramic pot or iron can, put dried mugwort inside, and after lighting it, be careful that the fire is not too big; just let it smolder slowly. Be extremely careful about safety to avoid accidents. Boil fresh mugwort for half an hour, and the scent will spread through the whole house. This can also repel mosquitoes, and it is safe and easy to do. Take freshly picked mugwort, add a little water, rub it to release juice, put it into a small spray bottle, and spray the flowers and plants on the balcony that attract mosquitoes and insects. It can not only drive away mosquitoes and insects but also kill insects. Of course, the most direct method is to tie mugwort up and hang it upside down behind the door or on the wall. The scent can last for more than half a year, and after it dries, it can also be used to soak the feet and promote blood circulation.

VIII. Sedum kamtschaticum

After saying so much about repelling mosquitoes, here is one that “treats” mosquito bites. Sedum kamtschaticum, also known as orpine, is a very effective anti-itch remedy. Sedum kamtschaticum has medicinal uses. Especially after being bitten by mosquitoes and insects, when the pain and itch are unbearable, pick a few leaves, rub them to release juice, and apply it to the bite. It can quickly relieve itching and pain, and is even more effective than cooling oil and floral water.

Propagation and care of Sedum kamtschaticum

Sedum kamtschaticum can be grown like a weed. Just pinch off a stem and throw it into a water bottle, and it will quickly root. It can also be inserted into soil, and keeping the soil moist is enough for it to become a plant. Sedum kamtschaticum does not need special care either. Grow it in ordinary garden soil, water again after the soil dries, and usually pinch off a few branches to use; it will keep growing afterward.