Tired of bugs taking over your garden? You don’t need to rely on sprays or traps. Many plants naturally keep pests away while adding color, scent, and beauty to your yard. From herbs to flowers, these plants are easy to grow and do double duty. Here are 25 standout picks that protect your plants and elevate your garden’s style.
1. Lavender
Lavender is known for its sweet scent and purple flowers. It keeps mosquitoes, moths, fleas, and flies away. This plant loves sunny spots and grows well in dry soil. Butterflies and bees enjoy it, too. You can use the flowers to make sachets or oils. Lavender is a great choice if you want a pretty and useful plant that doesn’t need much care.
2. Marigold
Marigolds are bright, cheerful flowers that help keep pests away. They contain a substance called pyrethrum, which repels aphids, mosquitoes, and even soil pests like nematodes. These flowers love the sun and bloom for a long time. Their orange and yellow colors make any garden look happy. Plant marigolds around vegetables or in flower beds for both beauty and bug control.
3. Basil
Basil is a green herb with a strong smell that bugs don’t like. It keeps mosquitoes and flies away. You can grow it in pots or right in your garden. It needs sunlight and regular watering. Basil is also great for cooking, especially in pasta and salads. With basil, you get a helpful plant that works in your garden and your kitchen.
4. Mint
Mint smells fresh to us but bad to pests. It keeps ants, mosquitoes, and even mice away. Mint grows quickly and spreads a lot, so it’s best to plant it in a pot. It likes shade and damp soil. You can use mint leaves in drinks or teas. It’s easy to grow and helps keep bugs away without any extra effort.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary is a tough herb that smells good and fights pests. It repels cabbage moths, carrot flies, and mosquitoes. Its leaves are needle-like and stay green all year. Rosemary likes full sun and dry soil. You can cook with it or enjoy how it looks in the garden. This plant is great for both cooking and keeping pests away.
6. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are pretty flowers with big blooms in many colors. They contain a natural chemical called pyrethrin, which fights roaches, ants, and beetles. These flowers bloom in late summer and fall. They like sunny spots and need regular watering. Chrysanthemums are easy to grow and add color to your garden, keeping many insects from bothering your space.
7. Catnip
Catnip is a plant that cats love, but bugs hate. It contains nepetalactone, a compound that repels mosquitoes and cockroaches. Catnip has soft green leaves and small white or purple flowers. It grows well in sunny spots and spreads fast. Use it in your garden or dry the leaves for indoor use. Just keep an eye on neighborhood cats—they might visit!
8. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a tall plant that smells like lemon and repels mosquitoes. It contains citronella, which is often used in bug sprays. This plant grows in warm, sunny places and needs regular water. It looks nice with its tall, grassy leaves swaying in the wind. You can also use lemongrass in cooking. It’s helpful and decorative in any outdoor space.
9. Petunia
Petunias are bright, colorful flowers that bloom for months. They also fight off bugs like aphids, tomato hornworms, and beetles. These flowers grow well in sunny spots and come in many colors. They’re easy to care for and look good in hanging baskets or garden beds. Petunias help protect your plants while making your garden look full and lively.
10. Alliums
Alliums are part of the onion family and grow tall with round purple or white blooms. They help keep aphids, cabbage worms, and carrot flies away. These flowers add a bold shape to your garden and like sunny places. Alliums bloom in late spring and early summer. Their scent is strong to bugs but not too bad for people.
11. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are colorful flowers that pests don’t like. They help keep away whiteflies, squash bugs, and aphids. These plants also trap bugs, so they stay away from your veggies. Nasturtiums grow fast and do well in poor soil. Their flowers are edible and add a peppery taste to salads. They’re bright, easy to grow, and great for bug control.
12. Garlic
Garlic is more than a tasty cooking ingredient. It keeps aphids, beetles, and root maggots away from your plants. Garlic grows from cloves planted in the fall or early spring. It likes sunny spots and well-drained soil. When ready, it gives you bulbs to use in the kitchen. Garlic is helpful in both the garden and the kitchen.
13. Bay Laurel
Bay laurel is a green shrub with shiny leaves that bugs dislike. It keeps away moths, flies, and weevils. The leaves are used in cooking soups and stews. Bay laurel grows slowly and stays green all year. It does well in pots or the ground if winter isn’t too cold. It’s a lovely plant that smells good and fights pests.
14. Dill
Dill has feathery green leaves and yellow flowers. It’s good at keeping aphids, spider mites, and squash bugs away. Dill likes full sun and grows best in well-drained soil. It attracts helpful bugs like ladybugs and wasps. Dill also tastes great in pickles and fish dishes. It’s a useful herb for both pest control and cooking.
15. Fennel
Fennel has tall stems, feathery leaves, and yellow flowers. It smells like licorice and keeps away slugs and aphids. This plant grows well in sunny spots and rich soil. Fennel also attracts helpful bugs like bees and ladybugs. You can use the seeds and bulbs to cook. Fennel adds height and charm to any garden.
16. Borage
Borage is a plant with bright blue star-shaped flowers. It helps repel tomato hornworms and cabbage worms. Borage also brings pollinators like bees to your garden. It grows well in sunny spots and adds color and texture. The flowers and leaves are edible and taste like cucumber. Borage is both pretty and helpful for your garden.
17. Tansy
Tansy has small yellow flowers that look like buttons. It keeps away ants, fleas, and flies. This plant grows tall and spreads fast, so give it space. Tansy likes sunny spots and well-drained soil. Be careful, though—it can become invasive if not managed. It adds a wild, natural look to your garden and helps fight pests.
18. Oregano
Oregano is a hardy herb that bugs avoid. It repels mosquitoes and cucumber beetles with its strong smell. Oregano grows in sunny spots and needs little water. It spreads well and makes a good ground cover. You can use the leaves in many dishes. It’s a useful plant that’s both pretty and tasty.
19. Sage
Sage is a plant with soft, gray-green leaves and small purple flowers. It keeps away cabbage moths and carrot flies. Sage grows well in sunny spots and dry soil. It’s easy to care for and lasts year after year. The leaves are great in cooking, especially with meats. Sage adds color and use to any herb garden.
20. Thyme
Thyme is a low-growing herb that smells strong and keeps bugs away. It helps repel cabbage worms and whiteflies. Thyme grows in full sun and needs little water. It’s great for filling gaps in paths or garden edges. You can use thyme in cooking to flavor soups and meats. This tiny herb is big on benefits.
21. Calendula
Calendula, also called pot marigold, has bright yellow or orange flowers. It keeps away aphids and soil pests. Calendula blooms for a long time and grows easily in sunny spots. The petals can be used in skin creams or teas. It adds cheerful color to gardens and helps protect other plants. Calendula is both pretty and practical.
22. Rue
Rue has blue-green leaves and a strong smell that repels fleas and flies. It’s an old herb often used in medicine. Rue grows well in dry soil and full sun. Be careful when touching it—some people get a rash. Still, it’s a helpful plant for pest control. Its unusual look adds something special to garden beds.
23. Wormwood
Wormwood has soft, silvery leaves and keeps away moths and fleas. It grows well in dry, sunny places. This plant has a gentle smell that bugs hate. Wormwood adds a soft texture and pale color to gardens. It should not be eaten, but it is great for keeping pests away. Plant it near garden edges or walkways.
24. Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is a small, mint-like plant with purple flowers that keeps fleas, ants, and mosquitoes away. It has a strong smell that many insects dislike. Pennyroyal grows well in moist soil and light shade. Use caution with pets, as it can be toxic if eaten. This plant is best for borders and containers where it can be managed and kept out of reach.
25. Bee Balm
Bee balm has colorful flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, but it repels mosquitoes with its citrus-scented leaves. It grows well in sunny gardens and adds a burst of red, pink, or purple. Bee balm spreads easily; give it space or grow it in containers. It’s great for boosting garden health and keeping pests under control.
A Garden That Guards Itself
Pests can be a pain, but your plants can help. Each plant on this list keeps bugs away while adding beauty to your space. With flowers, herbs, and leafy greens, you can build a garden that naturally controls pests and looks excellent. Pick your favorites, mix them in, and enjoy a greener, calmer outdoor space.