Top 5 mosquito repellent plants in India
Summer is coming and with it will come a swarm of uninvited guests—mosquitoes. We don't need to tell you about the health hazards these tiny insects pose. While mosquito repellents are a great option, most of us are wary of the chemicals in them. This year, give these mosquito repellent plants a shot. They're natural and guaranteed to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
Marigolds
Marigolds not only look beautiful, but their smell is effective in keeping mosquitoes away. You can use a pot or small planters to grow this flower inside your house. Marigolds are multi-tasking plants that repel not just mosquitoes, but several other bugs, such as aphids, thrips, whiteflies, squash bugs, and more. Your main door is the best place to keep them.
Basil
Besides planting basil leaves in your kitchen garden, you can use the plant as an excellent mosquito repellent. The basil leaves have a pungent smell that helps keep mosquitoes away. But these plants need enough sunlight and a well-drained area. You can also pluck and burn or steam a few leaves to release the compounds that the bugs find annoying.
Citronella grass
Citronella grass is the most popular plant that is used in several ways to fight the mosquito menace. In fact, most mosquito repellents contain citronella in some form or the other. The plants are commercially grown in some places like Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka. Citronella can also treat lice and other parasites like intestinal worms.
Rosemary
The woody scent of rosemary can easily shoo away mosquitoes, cabbage moths, and carrot flies. Rosemary plants can be grown in small vases and need warm and dry temperatures to thrive. When rosemary leaves are burnt, they release an odor that is pleasant to us. However, that smell acts as a deterrent when it comes to mosquitoes and other insects.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm, also known as horsemint, is great at keeping mosquitoes and gnats away from your home. The lemon balm plant is easy to pot and needs little maintenance. This plant contains a compound known as citronellal, found in several mosquito repellents. The lemon smell of this plant is also something mosquitoes cannot tolerate.
