19 Container Plants That Deter Biting Insects

Plants make an impressive defense against pests like mosquitoes, horseflies, and ticks. Some plant species contain bug-repellent oils, while others are fragrant enough to cover your scent. Using them to your advantage, you can plant them in containers and place them near your pathways for a pest-free site. 

These insects are pesky, and you may need more than container plants to ward them off. Prevent mosquitoes by removing buckets or basins with standing water. They lay eggs in water that hatch into small, wriggling larvae. 

Harvesting the plant will release the basil scent, which helps mask you from biting insects. You may crush the leaves or rub them on your skin. 

Basil essential oil is a proven mosquito deterrent. Make it yourself with your basil plants, or crush them whenever you need their repellent properties. 

Catnip

	botanical name Nepeta cataria
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Catnip deters insects while attracting cats! It’s a favorite of furry felines, as it has chemicals that cause them to relax or go into a frenzy. Its fragrance prevents biters from entering the garden.

This herb spreads readily with seeds. Chop the flowers to prevent reseeding, or let them fill empty spaces with their seedlings. 

Make a potent catnip spray by soaking the leaves in water for a few days. Or, make an essential oil tincture by soaking the leaves and flowers in high-proof alcohol, vinegar, or vegetable glycerin. Use skin-safe products to ensure you don’t damage your skin when you apply them. 

Citronella Grass

	botanical name Cymbopogon nardus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5-8’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Citronella grass is the best repelling plant for deterring mosquitoes! It’s the source of citronella oil, a widely used oil in the battle against these blood-sucking pests. Grow it in a container during the warm months to ward off pesky insects with its aroma. 

This grass reaches epic heights of up to eight feet tall. Give it a large container so it can reach its full size. For extra effectiveness, soak the leaves in water and spread the water on your skin. The solution will prevent the biting insects from reaching you. 

Dalmatian Chrysanthemum

	botanical name Tanacetum cinerariifolium
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 4-10

This perennial is the common source of pyrethrum, an ingredient in many pesticides. The dalmatian chrysanthemum resembles chamomile, with ferny leaves and white-petaled blooms with yellow centers.

These chrysanthemums make great container plants. Situate many in a large pot, or interplant these flowers with your container veggies to keep them pest-free. 

Pyrethrum is a strong chemical, and these plants may cause allergic reactions if you touch them too much. Use them as biting insect repellants, but avoid using them for any other purposes. 

Eucalyptus ‘Baby Blue’

	botanical name Eucalyptus pulverulenta
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-35’
	hardiness zones 9-11

‘Baby Blue’ eucalyptus is versatile in the garden. It’s a large tree in warm zones and a lovely little annual in cold ones. Grow it in a container for the summer, and it’ll deter pesky insects from your porch, patio, or balcony. 

I like to harvest the eucalyptus stems and put them in the shower. The steam from the shower makes the entire bathroom smell of the plant! After the leaves dry, they work well in dried floral arrangements alongside yarrow, lavender, and grasses. 

Garlic

	botanical name Allium sativum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-1.5’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Garlic is a perfect container plant. You can grow it outside of its preferred range as an annual. The young greens are tasty in salads, soups, and sandwiches. 

As a pest deterrent, garlic’s aroma works to repel insects and mask your smell. Choose hardneck varieties so you can harvest their scapes. Scapes are immature garlic flowers; harvest them and cook them to enjoy their unique garlic flavor. 

Lavender

	botanical name Lavandula spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 5-9

One of the few cold-hardy evergreen shrubs, lavender is indispensable in container gardens! Its strong fragrance masks your human smell from biting creatures that want to find it. Grow compact, dwarf varieties in containers so they’re easy to manage. 

Try the lovely ‘Hidcote Superior’ for a plant that stays under two feet tall. Or, opt for the white blooming ‘Lacy Frills.’ It stays under a foot! 

In zones 4 and below, grow lavender plants in pots and bring them to a cool, bright location indoors for the winter. Then, in spring, bring your plants outdoors to enjoy the sunshine. 

Lemon Balm

	botanical name Melissa officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Lemon balm is a bit weedy, which is why it’s ideal for containers. Plant it in the landscape and it’ll spread rapidly and readily! Keep it contained by growing it in a pot, raised bed, or planter. 

Lemon balm leaves have a lemony fragrance that deters pesky insects. Rub the leaves on your legs, arms, and neck in the summer as a natural bug spray. The lemony aroma will keep you smelling good and prevent mosquitoes from reaching you. 

Some gardeners may have a mild skin reaction to lemon balm. Test it first if you’ve never used it before to make sure you’re not allergic.

Lemongrass

	botanical name Cymbopogon citratus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Lemongrass is, like citronella, a warm-weather grass that thrives in container culture. Its strong smell is similar to citronella but milder and more lemony. The leaves are common in many different cuisines. Use them fresh or dried to impart a lemon flavor to your meals.

As a pest repellent, lemongrass’s intense aroma works to mask your scent. Crush the leaves on your skin, or lay crushed stems around you while you picnic outdoors. 

Marigold

	botanical name Tagetes spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-7’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Marigolds are annuals and herbaceous perennials with proven insect-deterrent qualities. Not only do they keep you safe from mosquitoes, but they also prevent aphids from reaching your other plants! Situate them next to your herbs, veggies, and fruits in pots. 

Marigolds easily tuck into empty spaces in your container garden. Deadhead them throughout the summer to keep them blooming. The blooms have a strong marigold fragrance, and you’ll want them present to block insects from your home. 

Nasturtium

	botanical name Tropaeolum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-10’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Plant nasturtiums once, and you’ll have them for years! They’re self-sowing annuals that are helpful in a few different ways in the garden. They attract beneficial insects, deter pests, and trap harmful insects. Aphids will attack the nasturtiums instead of your other veggies and herbs.

Nasturtiums don’t transplant well, so sow them in pots after the danger of frost passes in spring. Choose a blend like ‘Tip Top Mix’ for a mixture of white, yellow, orange, and red blooms. 

Peppermint

	botanical name Mentha x piperita
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Peppermint, like lemon balm, has many uses and spreads readily! Its minty leaves have such a strong aroma that they prevent biting flies and mosquitoes from finding you. Rub them on your skin, or make a minty spray with water and leaves.

Peppermint spreads through free-rooting stems that will grow outside of the intended planting area. Limit their roaming tendencies by growing peppermint in a container. After it flowers, snip the spent blooms off to prevent seeds from forming. 

Pine

	botanical name Pinus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-100’
	hardiness zones 2-12

Pine needles emit a lovely smell when you crush them. It repels insects and is pleasant to the nose. Some species make a delicious pine needle tea!

Pines grow to be giant trees in the ground. They’ll eventually struggle in pots. Instead of giant species, choose dwarf pine varieties that’ll function well in containers. Try small ones like ‘Slowmound’ mugo pine or dwarf scotch pine. 

Rosemary

	botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-5’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Like lavender, rosemary is a Mediterranean shrub with fragrant leaves and gorgeous blooms. The purple flowers emerge between the needle-like leaves in spring. The flowers attract pollinators, while the strong aroma repels unwanted insects and pesky creatures.

To fully utilize rosemary, chop the stems and crush them around your home. Steep them in warm water to draw out their oils, or infuse them with salves and balms to rub on your skin. 

Scented Geranium

	botanical name Pelargonium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Scented geraniums offer a wealth of options. There are lemon, pine, and peppermint scented geraniums, among many others. Choose your favorite and crush it to release its scent. 

The citronella scented geranium is often confused with citronella grass. Citronella is a grass, while citronella geraniums have crinkle-cut leaves and white blooms with purple splotching. 

Sesame

	botanical name Sesamum indicum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Sesame plants are rare in the home garden! Stun your neighbors and plant one in a container this spring. The summer annual likes a long, warm growing season to produce a sizable crop. It’ll form edible sesame seeds in pods that explode on contact. 

As a deterrent, sesame contains components that harm pests. Growers grind the stalks and apply them as mulch to kill harmful nematodes. 

Spearmint

	botanical name Mentha spicata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Spearmint, like peppermint, has smelly components that push harmful insects away. Crush the leaves in your hands, then rub the crushed leaves on your exposed skin. The spearmint fragrance will help prevent insects from biting you.

Spearmint spreads rapidly and readily in the garden. It grows best in containers that limit its spread. Chop its roots and stems to prevent them from growing outside of the container. 

Thyme

	botanical name Thymus vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Thyme is a low-growing spreader that’s great in seasoning mixes. Its leaves have a strong scent and flavor that works well in the kitchen or outdoors as an insect repellent. 

Thyme roots dislike wet, soggy conditions. Keep them on the dry side, and let the stems spill over the edges of the container. Snip the long ones and rub them on your body as a natural deterrent. 

Wild Mint

	botanical name Mentha arvensis
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Wild mint is a U.S. native mint! It’s great if you’re looking for an alternative to aggressive mints. Grow it in pots and cut the stems when you need mint for teas, pest sprays, or desserts.