Living in South Florida, I know all too well about the affect mosquitoes have on everyday life. I hate them, of course, as we all do. I was spraying Cutter backyard bug control spray every week and was looking for a way to repel mosquitoes naturally.
Lemongrass from the Cymbopogon family of plants include citronella, and are well known to repel insects, particularly mosquitoes. Not only this but they are used medicinally and culinary because of their lemony scent.
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Lemongrass Mosquito Repellent
There are a number of different ways you can make a mosquito repellent with lemongrass.
Make a Lemongrass Mosquito Repellent Planter
This is my absolute favorite idea, and in fact, I have two on my small patio area. I love plants and have lots of planters around my swimming pool, but these are my favorites. Not only do they look great, but they also repel mosquitoes! An absolute win win!
I love lemongrass, the smell and the simplicity, however, in a planter one its own it would look a little plain.
Lemongrass and mosquitoes don’t mix, so I wanted to add in other mosquito repellent plants that would add a bit of color. After a bit of research, I came across the following questions on Google.
Do marigolds repel mosquitoes?
Marigolds are an easy to grow annual flower that has a smell that repels mosquitoes. They contain a compound called Pyrethrum which means they have a smell that repels all types of insects including mosquitoes. They are not as good as repelling them as lemon grass but as they look beautiful they are a welcome addition to any planter.
Does rosemary repel mosquitoes?
Rosemary is a herb that most of us have in our kitchens, but does it repel mosquitoes? Yes, it does, the mosquito dislikes its woody smell.
Does lemon balm repel mosquitoes?
Surprisingly the lemon balm plant is from the mint family. So best to plant in pots or it will spread like crazy. But this is such a strong smelling lemony plant the mosquitoes have got no chance.
We decided to have a big planter with lemongrass in the middle with rosemary and marigolds at the base. Next to each planter I have put two smaller planters with lemon balm in. I need everything I can to repel these mosquitoes!
Make A Natural Mosquito Repellent Spray
If you are using lemongrass leaves, grab a handful and add to a pot of water. Boil the water until the water turns yellow. Let it cool overnight making sure the liquid has a cover on. Strain the liquid and add it a spray bottle. This will naturally repel mosquitoes, however, it will need to be reapplied fairly regularly. Before you spray though test a small area of clothing to see if it will stain or not.
Use the Leaves as a Rub
If you have a lemongrass plant in your garden for a topical application, you can cut the leaves and put them in a pestle and mortar. The lemongrass paste can be applied directly to your skin as a mosquito repellent. Personally, this is just a little too messy for me!!!
Hardiness Zones of Mosquito Repellent Plants
If you are not sure of your hardiness zone check it our here.
Lemongrass Hardiness Zone is zone 10 -11
Rosemary hardiness zone is 8-9
Lemon Balm hardiness zone is 4-9, but I live in South Florida and it looks amazing here in a planter in direct sunlight.
Marigold hardiness zone is 2-11 in the summer months, but struggle below zone 8 in the winter months.
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