The wasps will stay away from these plants naturally, so you can enjoy your backyard without any trouble.
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If you have a lot of wasps in your yard, you might want to plant plants that keep them away. This easy-to-do method keeps these bugs away and gives your yard beautiful color at the same time. Their strong fragrance is effective in deterring these insects.
Among these are pretty marigolds, stylish eucalyptus, and creeping pennyroyal. Many of them are common garden plants and useful herbs. In addition to being great for getting rid of wasps, they are very good for us and should be grown in our backyards. They add flavor to food, drinks, and medicines.
We’ve put together a list of the best wasp-repelling plants for you to use in your flower beds, containers, or to keep wasps off your porch. ( credit: Gettys).
Wasps can be a real nuisance, especially when enjoying time outdoors in your garden or on your patio. Their painful stings can quickly ruin a nice day outside. Luckily, there are many plants that naturally repel wasps and other stinging insects.
Incorporating these plants into your landscaping is an easy, environmentally friendly way to deter wasps. The strong fragrances of these plants overwhelm wasps’ sensitive receptors and drive them away
Keep reading for 10 of the top plants to get rid of wasps from your yard and outdoor living spaces.
1. Spearmint
Spearmint is one of the most effective plants for deterring wasps The potent oils in its leaves give spearmint a strong scent that wasps dislike
Spearmint is easy to grow in containers or garden beds. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Plant spearmint near areas where you want to repel wasps, like:
- Patios
- Picnic areas
- Vegetable gardens
- Flower beds
Spearmint will spread rapidly, so contain it by planting in pots or give it space to roam in a dedicated mint bed. The fresh leaves are also great for homemade mint tea!
2. Peppermint
Like its close relative spearmint, peppermint contains high levels of menthol that give off a bold, refreshing fragrance. Wasps steer clear of the potent oils in peppermint leaves.
Grow peppermint in full sun to partial shade in zones 3-8. Contain in pots near doors, patios, and other high-traffic areas. Try rubbing the leaves to release more oils and increase the wasp-repelling power.
3. Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is a low-growing perennial groundcover with a pungent minty aroma. It has traditionally been used as an insect repellent. The natural mint oils overwhelm wasps’ sense of smell.
Plant pennyroyal in full sun and slightly moist soil. It spreads rapidly, so give it plenty of room or contain it. Pennyroyal thrives in USDA zones 6-9. The leaves can also be crushed and rubbed onto skin to deter mosquitos and other bugs.
4. Lavender
The sweet floral scent of lavender is heavenly for us but wasps can’t stand it. Plant lavender bushes around patios, decks, and walkways to create an aromatic barrier that repels these insects.
There are many lavender varieties to choose from like English lavender and Spanish lavender. Allow good air circulation and plant in zones 5-10.
5. Catnip
The mint family member catnip is well-known for making cats giddy. But wasps absolutely hate the intense scent from the chemical nepetalactone in catnip leaves and flowers.
Grow catnip in zones 3-9 in a spot that gets 6+ hours of sun. Give it room to spread out or contain it in pots. Cats will be attracted to roll around on plants, helping release more repellent oils.
6. Basil
All types of basil contain essential oils like linalool that wasps detest. Sweet basil, holy basil, and Thai basil can help deter these insects from gardens and patios.
Grow basil from seed after all danger of frost. It thrives in warm weather in full sun. Pinch off flower heads to prolong leaf production. Try Genovese, cinnamon, and African blue basils.
7. Marigolds
The distinctive aroma of marigolds has insect-repelling properties. The scent overwhelms wasps’ sensing abilities, causing them to avoid areas where marigolds grow.
For maximum impact, choose pungent varieties like Signet marigold ‘Lemondrop’ or ‘Tangerine Gem’. Plant marigolds in garden beds, around vegetable gardens, and in containers near patios and porches. Deadhead to prolong blooms.
8. Chrysanthemums
Commonly called mums, chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins that give them natural insecticidal effects. The blooms emit a strong scent that wasps dislike.
Plant mums in garden beds and containers where wasps tend to congregate. Choose pungent varieties like ‘Robinson’s Supreme Bronze’ and ‘Ruby Mound’.
9. Wormwood
With its fine, silvery foliage and pungent aroma, wormwood is a beautiful and effective wasp repellent. It contains compounds like absinthin that deter wasps and other stinging insects.
Grow wormwood in zones 4-9 in full sun and well-draining soil. Plant around decks, patios, and walkways. Prune back overgrown plants in spring to encourage fresh growth.
10. Geraniums
Also called cranesbills, geraniums give off a lemon-rose scent that overwhelms wasps’ olfactory senses. The essential oils in leaves and flowers contain citronellol, nerol, and geraniol.
Grow scented geraniums like lemon-scented and rose-scented varieties. Use them in hanging baskets, window boxes, and garden beds around areas you want wasp-free.
Other Ways to Repel Wasps
In addition to planting wasp-repelling plants, here are some other tactics to keep wasps away:
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Use essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, and citronella oils to make your own repellent spray.
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Install fake wasp nests which trick wasps into thinking the area is already occupied.
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Use traps like these Rescue! Wasp and Hornet Traps to capture wasps around your property.
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Remove food sources by cleaning up fallen, rotting fruit from trees.
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Seal gaps around roofs, windows, and doors to prevent nest building.
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Turn down music and avoid wearing strong perfumes or cologne.
Finally, if you spot a wasp nest on your property, it’s best to call a professional exterminator to have it safely removed.
With some planning and strategic planting, you can create an outdoor space free of pesky wasps and ready for relaxing. Use these plants as a natural, non-toxic way to reclaim your yard from wasps.
10 wasp repellent plants
Use the natural beauty and power of these plants to keep wasps away so you can enjoy your yard without being bothered this summer.
Wormwood (Image credit: Rizky Panuntun via Getty Images)
Wormwood or Artemisia may look beautiful with its fine, silvery, feathery leaves, but did you know that wasps can’t stand the strong smell of it?
In a sunny, well-drained spot, it grows quickly and easily. It looks great around your deck or in a container garden.
Reaching heights of around 2ft and with a spread of 3ft, this hardy perennial forms attractive mounds. It can lose leaves over winter during particularly cold spells but will shoot again the following spring.
Parts of the plant have been used to make the drink Absinthe, but it is better known for helping with digestive issues.
Wormwood grows best in hardiness zones 4 through 9. You can buy it online from many places, such as Walmart, which has this wormwood plant.
15 Best Wasp Repellent Plants To Grow In Your Garden
FAQ
What plant keeps away wasps?
What do wasps hate the most?
How do I keep wasps off my patio?
What is the best outdoor wasp deterrent?
What plants repel wasps?
Plant wasp-repelling plants For an ongoing source of these fragrances, you can also invest in some of the plants themselves to place around your home, yard and porch. Once again, peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass and citronella all work well, plus these plants are easy to grow.
Does garlic repel wasps?
Even garlic can be used to help repel wasps. Garlic has a strong aroma that is unpleasant to most insects, so growing a few of these early summer-maturing plants can help repel pests for good. 10. Wormwood Wormwood, or artemisia, is known to repel all kinds of pests.
How do I get rid of wasps in my garden?
Here’s a quick rundown: Food and Drinks: Always cover sugary substances and beverages. Trash Cans: Keep them tightly sealed. Clothing: Steer clear of bright floral patterns when in the garden. I’ve found that cultivating a garden with plants that naturally repel wasps is an effective method to keep these pests away.
Does Basil repel wasps?
Basil is a very effective plant that repels wasps. While you might be used to seeing this herb on your favorite Italian dish, its leaves can also repel wasps, hornets, and many other flying insects. It all comes down to its essential oils. Those oils come out when the leaves get crushed or damaged. That’s how we enjoy the flavor of this herb.
What plants attract wasps?
For an ongoing source of these fragrances, you can also invest in some of the plants themselves to place around your home, yard and porch. Once again, peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass and citronella all work well, plus these plants are easy to grow. Certain plants should also be avoided as they have the opposite effect and attract wasps.
Does red geranium repel wasps?
While red geraniums can fill your garden with the soft scent of flowery bliss, it’s another scent-producing plant that repels wasps. The smell is overpowering enough to throw off the insect’s ability to use scent detection to navigate your property. Another perk is the lack of pollen.