An Introduction to Common Types of Mosquito-Repellent Plants and How to Care for Them at Home

Mosquito-repellent plants are a general term for plants that contain special volatile aromatic compounds in their tissues and can, to a certain extent, drive away mosquitoes and other insects. Most of these plants naturally carry a fresh fragrance, so they can serve as greenery to decorate a home or courtyard while also playing a supplementary mosquito-repelling role in summer, which is why they are so popular with home gardening enthusiasts.

There are quite a few common mosquito-repellent plants, such as the mosquito-repellent geranium, mint, Cuban oregano, rosemary, lavender, mugwort, pyrethrum and marigold. Their ways of repelling mosquitoes differ: some rely on the scent their leaves give off at ordinary times to keep mosquitoes from coming near, some release a stronger fragrance once their leaves are touched or rubbed, and others can even catch small insects.

Most mosquito-repellent plants like a sunny, well-ventilated environment, so placing them on a balcony or windowsill is fairly suitable. Watering should follow the principle of letting the soil dry before watering again, to avoid long-term waterlogging in the pot that causes root rot. Fast-growing herbs such as mint and rosemary benefit from proper pruning and pinching back, which makes the plant fuller and the fragrance stronger as well.

It should be noted that the mosquito-repelling effect of these plants is supplementary in nature and cannot completely replace mosquito screens, mosquito nets and other protective measures. On summer evenings you can place a few more pots on the balcony, by the door or near the window, gently rub the leaves so the fragrance is released better, and at the same time keep the environment clean and dry, reduce standing water and cut down the conditions in which mosquitoes breed, and the mosquito-repelling effect will be more ideal.