This list of pest-repelling plants includes plants known for their ability to repel insects, nematodes, and other pests. They may be used in companion planting for pest control in agricultural and garden situations, and in households.
The essential oils of many plants are also well known for their pest-repellent properties. Oils from the families Lamiaceae (mints), Poaceae (true grasses), and Pinaceae (pines) are common insect repellents worldwide.
Plants that can be planted or used fresh to deter pests include:
artemisias repels insects, including ants, cabbage looper, cabbage maggot, carrot fly, codling moth, flea beetles, whiteflies, the Cabbage White, and the Small White, as well as mice
basil repels flies, including mosquitoes and the carrot fly, plus asparagus beetles and whiteflies
borage repels tomato hornworm and cabbage worms
castor bean repels moles
catnip repels ants, flea beetles, aphids, the Japanese beetle, squash bugs, weevils, the Colorado potato beetle, the cabbage looper, and cockroaches
chamomile repels flying insects
chives repels carrot fly, Japanese beetle, and aphids
chrysanthemums repel roaches, ants, the Japanese beetle, ticks, silverfish, lice, fleas, bedbugs, and root-knot nematodes
citronella grass repels insects, may deter cats
citrosa repels insects, including mosquitoes
clovers repel aphids and wireworms
common lantana repels mosquitoes
coriander repels aphids, Colorado potato beetle, and spider mites
cosmos repel the corn earworm
crown imperial repel rabbits, mice, moles, voles and ground squirrels
dahlias repel nematodes
dill repels aphids, squash bugs, spider mites, the cabbage looper, the tomato hornworm, and the Small White
eucalyptus repels aphids, the cabbage looper, and the Colorado potato beetle
fennel repels aphids, slugs, and snails
fever tea repels mosquitoes
four o'clocks attract and poison the Japanese beetle
French marigold repels whiteflies, kills nematodes
garlic repels aphids, Japanese beetle, carrot fly, codling moth, snails, root maggots,cabbage looper, Mexican bean beetle, peach tree borer, and rabbits
geraniums repel leafhoppers, the corn earworm, and the Small White
hyssop repels the cabbage looper and the Small White
larkspurs repel aphids
lavender repels moths, fleas, and flies, including mosquitoes
leek repels carrot fly
lemon balm repels mosquitoes
lemon thyme repels mosquitoes
lettuce repels carrot fly
lime basil repels mosquitoes
Mexican marigold repels insects and rabbits
myrrh repels insects
narcissus repel moles
nasturtiums repel whiteflies, squash bugs, aphids, many beetles, and the cabbage looper
onion repels rabbits, the cabbage looper, and the Small White
oregano repellent to many pests
parsley repels asparagus beetles
peppermint repels aphids, cabbage looper, flea beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, and the Small White
petunias repel aphids, tomato hornworm, asparagus beetles, leafhoppers,land squash bugs
pitcher plants traps and ingests insects
radish repels cabbage maggot and cucumber beetles
rosemary repels cabbage looper, carrot fly, slugs, snails, and the Mexican bean beetle
rue repels cucumber and flea beetles
spearmint repels fleas, moths, ants, beetles, rodents, aphids, squash bugs, and the cabbage looper
spiny amaranth repels cutworms
stone root repels mosquitoes
summer savory repels bean beetles
tansy repels ants, many beetles and flies, squash bugs, cutworms, Small White, and Cabbage White
thyme repels cabbage looper, cabbage maggot, corn earworm, whiteflies, tomato hornworm, and Small White
tobacco repels carrot fly and flea beetles
tomato repels asparagus beetles
venus flytrap ingests insects
Do you know/use others?