Plants that keep ticks away aren’t that difficult to find. To help you save time, we have selected some pretty and easy-to-maintain plants that can help repel ticks.
These plants perform precautionary and natural pest control functions and can be spread around your garden.
Also, many of these plant species come with soothing fragrances and can be used as culinary herbs in the kitchen. Keep reading this article to find out our 30 top picks.
Contents
- List of Plants That Keep Ticks Away
- 1. Rue
- 2. Rose Geranium
- 3. Catnip
- 4. Thyme
- 5. Sage
- 6. Chamomile
- 7. Chrysanthemums
- 8. Fleabane Daisy
- 9. Marigold
- 10. Lemon Balm
- 11. Basil
- 12. Wormwood
- 13. Garlic
- 14. Lemongrass
- 15. Lavender
- 16. Geranium
- 17. Nasturtiums
- 18. Petunias
- 19. Peppermint
- 20. Citronella Grass
- 21. Pennyroyal
- 22. American Beautyberry
- 23. Catmint
- 24. Pansies
- 25. Hostas
- 26. Eucalyptus
- 27. Yarrow
- 28. Ageratum
- 29. Pitcher Plants
- 30. Venus Fly Trap
- Conclusion
List of Plants That Keep Ticks Away
1. Rue
Rue is a unique herb capable of repelling ticks with significant effect. Aesthetically, this plant stands out with its metallic blue look. The rue plant has medicinal features such as antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-insect.
It has a smell that makes fleas, ticks, and bugs uncomfortable and makes them flee from your environment. The pleasant smell produced by the plant makes it cat-friendly and unique to any indoor or outdoor garden.
2. Rose Geranium
The rose geranium is safe enough to be applied on the skin and sufficient to deal with tick infestations.
This plant can be diluted in water to form a spray for your clothes, and you can easily crush the plant petals to release essential oils.
3. Catnip
If you wonder what smells ticks hate the most, the catnip plant is your answer. Catnips come with a unique minty smell which fleas and ticks hate. This plant blooms beautiful flowers, and its aroma is a delight for cats.
You should note that catnips can grow pretty quickly and dominate your garden, so you should prune them regularly.
4. Thyme
Thyme is a unique plant that keeps ticks away mainly due to its sweet lemon and a little bit of sweet basil smell.
This plant is easy to cultivate and maintain, can be planted along walkways or in your garden, and is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
5. Sage
Sage is a plant that acts as a natural pest repellent, and it’s also a herb. This unique plant has a strong smell that only grows as you get closer to it.
Sage is easy to cultivate and extends well along walkways and herb gardens. With the sage plant, you no longer have to worry about ticks in your yard.
6. Chamomile
Beyond being an excellent choice for delicious tea, chamomile is also a good tick repellent. This flower has white petals and a yellowish center, and they grow quickly when planted in spring.
Chamomile thrives in partial shade and under sunlight; you will need to give it at least an inch of water weekly.
7. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are an excellent choice for protection against tick infestation in the fall. This unique plant comes in a particular color spectrum and is best planted in early spring to get full bloom in the fall and summer.
This flower isn’t at its best when left in water because the roots will rot. Ensure proper drainage for the root and create an avenue for sufficient sunlight to reach the plant.
8. Fleabane Daisy
Fleabane Daisies have white and yellow flowers, fuzzy leaves, and stems, making them aesthetically appealing. This flower has a strong reputation for keeping ticks away and makes an excellent addition to any garden.
Note that this plant does better when sun exposure but also needs well-drained, moist soil. If you are in a hot environment, you should keep the plant under good shade.
9. Marigold
Marigolds come in different colors, such as yellow, orange, and white, and they bloom between spring and fall. These unique plants do better in warm climates with an abundance of sunlight.
However, note that too much water and insufficient sunshine can adversely affect the plant and always remember to water it at its base.
10. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has a citrusy, rich smell that is loved by people and hated by ticks. This plant serves as an effective repellent to ticks and bugs.
Although it is a weed-like plant, it thrives well inside pots, and you can allow it to spread around your yard.
11. Basil
Basil is another plant that effectively keeps ticks out of the yard and is a suitable ingredient for meals. This plant is known to attract pollinators and bees and is very dog and cat friendly.
The basil produces seeds you can save for the following year’s planting cycle, bringing an aesthetic appeal to your yard.
12. Wormwood
Wormwood (Artemesia absinthium) is a perennial, bitter herb cultivated as an ornamental plant in America. Due to their sour taste, such plants produce anti-tick compounds and are disliked by tick hosts such as mice and deer.
One good thing about some specie of Artemisia absinthium is that they grow happily in the wild, which means there may already be some around you. If you want them planted in a controlled manner, you could plant them in a flowerbed in spring using a well-drained and sunny location.
13. Garlic
Garlic is a wonder plant used as a spice and an effective tick repeller. Scientifically known as allium sativum, garlic is closely related to onions and ranks as one of the smelliest plants.
Research has shown that garlic extracts can repel ticks and several other pests find their smell repulsive. Garlic can be easily planted in spring or fall, and all you need to grow them is a single clove planted in a well-drained, sunny location around your yard.
14. Lemongrass
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) is a lemon-smelling specie that is an excellent complement to lavender. This oil-rich plant contains compounds that make it repulsive to tock-carrying animals, with some of its constituents capable of killing ticks.
Lemongrass is best kept in pots so it can be taken inside during winter because it is a sub-tropical plant. It requires a lot of water, sunlight, and adequately drained soil. If you are growing in a pot, add some composted manure to it.
15. Lavender
Scientifically known as Lavandula, the lavender plant is a close relative of mint and is reputed for growing beautiful flowers and evoking a pleasant scent.
The oil produced by lavender is an effective repellent of ticks, making them an excellent choice to be kept around. Lavender grows quickly in most climates but thrives best in dry and hot areas, as it is primarily found in the Mediterranean.
16. Geranium
Also known as cranesbill, geraniums are flowering plants that make any garden beautiful. But as cute as they look, they can also be toxic, especially for ticks and deer. You must note that they are also harmful to your dogs and cats, so you must be careful.
Cultivating geraniums requires extra pruning and digging, especially during the winter. Plant them during spring in a spot with access to afternoon shade and morning sun.
17. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums have long been a potent companion plant because they contain chemicals that effectively repel different insects, such as ticks and aphids.
You can plant your nasturtiums in a container around your patio, vegetable garden, and yard. This plant is easy to grow and protects you and other plants from ticks.
18. Petunias
Petunias come with a unique fragrance and beautiful look and are also known for catching insects like ticks. One unique feature of this plant is sticky hairs that help capture insects, with the roots gradually absorbing all nutrients from the prey’s body.
It’s best to cultivate this flower under full sunlight, but they also do well in pots under partial shade. Note that petunias do well under about eight hours of sunlight daily but will need some shade during the hot summer to keep their blooms looking fresh.
19. Peppermint
Due to its strong odor, peppermint can be cultivated to deal with tick infestations. This plant is best grown in shady environments; spraying oil can help tack ticks. Peppermint is quite toxic to large animals if ingested, and when grown in shady places, it can help eliminate ticks that may be hiding away from the sun.
Ideally, you should grow this plant in pots to prevent it from dragging for space and sunlight with other plants. Be careful not to allow your family pet to eat too much of it, as it can lead to vomiting.
20. Citronella Grass
Citronella grass has a strong reputation as one of the best plants that keep ticks away because of its fragrance and oil. This plant is best grown in containers and originates from Asia, but it can be grown in any part of the world with a warm climate.
Citronella is toxic to humans and animals when ingested in large amounts, so you must be careful. This plant grows wildly, which is why it is best grown in your garden containers. Ideally, you should trim this plant frequently to release its unique fruity scent, which is a torment for ticks.
21. Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is cultivated as a very effective tool for tackling ticks. This plant contains tick-repelling compounds, which can be pretty toxic. Avoid contacting this plant with your skin; it must not be ingested in large quantities.
Research has shown that Pennyroyal contains high amounts of acaricides which help kill ticks and mites. This plant is a perfect choice if you are considering cultivating a tick-repellent garden. Always remember to use gloves when handling pennyroyal plants and oils.
22. American Beautyberry
American beautyberries are another group of plants capable of keeping ticks far from you. This plant contains chemicals such as spathulenol extracted from the plant’s stem and foilage to help tackle ticks.
You can effectively cultivate this plant in containers or on the ground, and they are non-toxic to humans and animals. Feel free to grow them in your home without being scared of your pets being harmed by them.
23. Catmint
Catmint is a plant rich in nepetalactone, a chemical that helps ward off ticks. This plant can be grown in your yard or containers and is non-toxic for humans and animals.
Catmint has such a fragrance that is unpleasant to insects like ticks and mosquitos, and all you need to do is to cut the plant, and the scent will be released to keep ticks away. A good thing about these plants is that you can grow them all over your garden without bothering about allergies for your cats.
24. Pansies
Pansies are cheerful and bright plants that keep ticks away in gardens and homes. This plant has different bright color variants like purple, yellow, red, and blue.
Although this plant doesn’t have a strong smell, the smell it produces is enough to keep ticks away. You only need to deadhead and trim your pansies and note that they grow pretty well in baskets, flower beds, and containers.
25. Hostas
Hostas are another unique plant that keeps ticks away. This plant has wide green leaves with whitish tips and grows with spiky flowers in the summer. Although ticks don’t have any associated smell, they tend to avoid them.
You should have them planted along your porch or yard edges to prevent tick or deer encroachments.
26. Eucalyptus
Planting eucalyptus is a smart way to keep fleas and ticks far away from your environment. Naturally, this plant produces tick-repelling leaves and oils, and you could also boil and crush its leaves before spraying on tick-infested areas for quick action.
Planting and caring for this plant isn’t difficult, as you only need to plant it in an area with plenty of sunlight and sufficient drainage.
Also, ensure enough space to accommodate its full spread and height.
If you are planting more than one eucalyptus tree, ensure to space them 8 feet away from each other. This tree doesn’t need to be supported or staked to grow; it can also be cultivated inside containers.
27. Yarrow
Yarrow, also known as achillea millefolium, is a flowering plant from the Asteraceae family. This plant has other names such as devil’s nettle, old man’s pepper, milfoil, sanguinary, and thousand seals. This plant is the perfect choice for people who may not be comfortable with the smell of essential oils.
Research shows that tinctures made using yarrow are stronger than DEET, and planting it around your garden is one smart way to cut down your insect population. Also, this plant is a delight for beautiful ladybugs and hosts wasps that will help quickly clean out your insect infestation.
28. Ageratum
Ageratum is the ideal choice to keep ticks away from your garden. This plant secret a chemical known as coumarin, one of the main ingredients used in making many insect repellents.
Also, it produces another chemical that tackles endocrine release in insects and makes them sterile. The most outstanding thing about this plant is that it is toxic to grazing animals. You should, however, keep it in check because it can grow wild like a weed if not cared for.
29. Pitcher Plants
Unlike most of the plants stated in this listicle, pitcher plants do not drive away pests. Instead, they draw them, trap them and eat them. Such plants are the perfect addition to your garden because they will help you handle ticks that may escape all preventive measures you may have taken.
Note that pitcher plants thrive best in sunny locations, and you will know if the plant isn’t getting enough light when the pitchers or leaves begin to drop. Such plants often prefer well-drained and moist soil. Ensure to water the entire plant so the leaves and pitcher get enough moisture.
30. Venus Fly Trap
Last on our list is the Venus fly trap. This small plant is known to eat fleas, flies, and ticks that wander close to its face.
The Venus fly trap needs a lot of sunlight and water to thrive, and it usually has a sticky substance on its surface to draw the tick. As soon as the pest gets in, the plant closes its mouth, and the pest is trapped within. It takes less than a week for the insect caught to dissolve.
Conclusion
The most effective plants that keep ticks away are attractive to predatory animals, fragrant, or contain anti-tick oils and chemicals. These 30 plants that help repel ticks can serve as focal points in your home and garden and even add color.
All plants listed here are easy to maintain and grow, and they can keep your environment free from ticks all summer long.
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