Plants that repel aphids are quite a few – it includes basil and chives. This is why we have compiled a list of plants that you don’t have to do all the research.
This guide will answer all your questions, like which plants help in repelling aphids? How to get rid of aphids permanently?
Continue reading to know the answer to these and so much more.
Contents
List of Plants That Repel Aphids
1. Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
Basil is a perennial and annual herb native to Central Africa and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as the mint family.
All types of basil are grown in warm weather, ideally two weeks after the fall frost has passed, and the soil is warm. The plant has a fast growth rate and is generally small, ranging between eighteen to twenty-four inches in length and width.
– Benefits
The plant has anti-inflammatory properties that help lower the risk of arthritis and various heart diseases. It also helps fight respiratory and skin infections. Since we are talking about a famous herb, a common question like, does rosemary repel aphids? Yes, the smell of the herb does the job!
– Uses
The strong scent of basil leaves interrupts the receptors of aphids and has a repelling effect to help with aphid infestation. Furthermore, basil treats conditions such as loss of appetite, kidney conditions, common cold, etc.
– Distinguishing Characteristics
The plant shows optimal growth when exposed to six hours of sunlight daily. A well-draining, moist, and rich soil keeps the plant happy. It grows better in soil amended with compost or a mulch rich in nutrients.
It needs to be watered daily, ensuring the soil is well-draining. To preserve the moisture content, add a layer of mulch on top of the soil. Add diatomaceous earth around the plants to speed up the aphid-repelling mission.
The easiest way to propagate basil is through cuttings. Take a 4-inch long cutting and remove leaves from its bottom 2 inches. Make sure that the cutting has yet to flow. Place your cutting in a glass of water and keep it by the window that receives good sunlight throughout the day.
2. Chives
Chives (Allium Schoenoprasum) are herbaceous perennials that belong to the Amaryllidaceae family and are native to Europe, Asia, and North America. They are mostly grown from nursery seedlings and are between 10 to 15 inches high and the same width.
The flowers are star-shaped, and a dull shade of purple and are edible. The plants are grown both for consumption and ornamental purposes. The leaves are green and linear and taste similar to an onion.
– Benefits
The plant is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Like garlic and onion, they lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure. The plants attract beneficial insects like bees and other pollinators.
– Uses
They are often used as companion plants, like tomato plants, to repel damaging insects. Their onion-like smell wards off aphids naturally. The flavorful plants are used in cuisines all over the world.
– Distinguishing Characteristics
The plants bloom in full sun but tolerate some shade, although the flowers are less attractive then. They harvest the most when grown in rich, well-draining, and moist soils.
They tolerate drought when they mature, but try to keep the soil consistently moist in the first growing season. Adding mulch to the plant helps conserve the moisture content. Chives propagate best through division.
3. Catnip
Also known as catmint, the plant is a perennial herb native to Asia and Europe that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The best season to grow catmint is spring after all the risk of frost has passed. Make sure to plant it in areas your cats can easily roll on without damaging the companion planting.
Catmint produces essential oils that are toxic to cats. It has a fast growth rate but is a very small plant. The height and width lie somewhere between 2 to 3 feet. Its leaves have a beautiful heart shape.
– Benefits
Catmint repels mosquitoes and other bugs from the garden. Some gardeners say to rub the leaves on the skin as the oils help in pest control. Apart from aphid-repelling properties, the plant can calm nerves and reduces stomach inflammation.
– Uses
The smell of plants prevents aphids from plants that attract aphids. Try planting flowers nearby that attract the natural predators of aphids like the ladybugs. These plants ward off aphids from the companion plants, like the rose bush, in case you wonder what to plant with roses to deter aphids.
– Distinguishing Characteristics
Catmint loves sunlight for a minimum of six hours a day. It does not tolerate extreme heat so make sure you place it in the shade so that it fulfills its light needs without getting damaged. Any type of soil works well for catmint as long as it is well-draining.
The plant does not like to sit in water, so keep the soil moist but not soggy. Once it is mature, it only needs to be watered occasionally unless your area is experiencing a drought. It shows improved growth when you mix compost with the soil when planting. It does well with a liquid fertilizer if the soil quality is poor.
The plant spreads independently, but the best way to propagate them is through cuttings. Cut a four to six inch long stem below the leaf node and remove all the leaves. Place your cutting in a glass of water in bright yet indirect sunlight and see roots emerge within a week.
4. Lavender
It is a herbaceous perennial that belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is native to Europe. The best season to grow is spring, when the frost has passed and the soil has warmed up a little. It has a favorable growth rate and reaches a maximum height of 3 feet and a width of 4 feet. The plant bears purple globe blooms 4 to 6 inches in diameter.
– Benefits
The plant is quite famous for its soothing properties. It helps reduce blood pressure and regulates the heart rate. It also helps fight against fungal infections. The plant helps regulate sleep patterns and treats various skin conditions.
– Uses
Its oil contains a compound that ensures the aphids do not come close to their companion planting. It has flowers resistant to aphids. The plant is known for treating fungal growth and is a natural pain killer.
– Distinguishing Characteristics
The plant blooms best in full sun. It does not tolerate even partial shade. Furthermore, lean soil promotes more oil production as compared to when grown in organic-rich soil. It tolerates drought but ensures that you water it frequently till then with your garden hose, especially in the first growing season. The plant has few fertilizer needs. Please add a handful of compost when you plant it.
The plant propagates best through cuttings. Please take a few inches of long stem cutting and remove all of its leaves. Place the cutting in a small pot containing a seed-starting mix and cover your pot with a plastic bag.
5. Marigold
The plant is an annual herbaceous native to Mexico and belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is grown in spring when all the risks of frost have passed. It grows quickly and reaches a maximum height of forty-eight inches and a width of twenty-four inches.
The leaves are fern-like, while the flowers’ build depends on the plant type. It is a true annual, which means its single growing season is its complete life cycle.
– Benefits
The plant attracts ladybugs and wasps that prey on harmful insects and pests like aphids. It has toxins that repel nematodes as well. The beautiful plant treats and heals damaged skin and has anti-inflammatory properties.
– Uses
The musky smell of the plant easily wards off aphids. To control aphids, spray neem oil and insecticidal soap on the plant’s leaves. Furthermore, the plant treats stomach ulcers and various liver conditions.
– Distinguishing Characteristics
The plant loves to grow in full sun and prefers soils that are not too acidic. It does not like nutrient-rich soil and strongly prefers lean soil. Water it regularly and keep the soil dry for up to two days. You do not need to add supplemental fertilizers to the plant.
It is best propagated through seeds. Sow the seeds indoors at least four to six weeks before the last frost date. You might not even need to propagate the plant as it self-seeds.
6. Petunia
It is an annual and perennial, native to South America, and belongs to the Solanaceae family. Like the rest of the plants, grow your plant in spring after the risks of fall have passed. The plant grows quickly and is six to twenty-four inches in height and six to thirty-six inches in width. The flowers are funnel-shaped and bloom in pink, purple, green, etc.
– Benefits
The plant attracts beneficial pollinators like butterflies and bees. It is mostly planted for ornamental purposes and air purification. Apart from this, the plant has many medicinal benefits too.
– Uses
The plant’s scent helps control aphids and attracts pollinators to help with aphid damage. It is used as a colorful ground cover and is also seen hanging in baskets.
– Distinguishing Characteristics
The plant loves the sun and prefers to grow in light at least six hours a day, in partial shade in extremely hot conditions, and in fertile soil with good drainage and a slightly acidic pH.
One inch of water per week is sufficient if it has not rained for a while. It grows well when fed with a balanced fertilizer at the time of planting and appreciates fertilizers every two or three weeks.
It propagates well through cuttings. Take a few inches long cutting and remove all the leaves. Place your cutting in a small pot containing potting soil. The roots take little time to emerge if the mix is kept moist.
7. Nasturtiums
These trap plants are grown as annuals and perennials, belong to the family of Tropaeolum, and are native to Central and South America.
They are grown in early summer or fall after the frost has passed to get blooms by summer or early spring. The trap plants have a fast growth rate and are as tall as 10 feet and as wide as 3 feet. The flowers are yellow, orange, pink, and funnel-shaped, while the leaves are nearly circular and are as large as four inches.
– Benefits
The plants kill aphids for good. They miss no chance of trapping a nearby aphid and are a source of attraction for hummingbirds. The plants are not only attractive to look at but are also packed with nutrients.
– Uses
They have antiseptic properties that help treat wounds and fungal infections of the toenails. Most people use it to boost their immune system and treat cough, cold, and bacterial infections.
– Distinguishing Characteristics
The plants show their best blooms in full sun and prefer infertile soils over fertile soils. They tolerate dry conditions but appreciate a certain amount of moisture every few days. They do well with weekly waterings. A robust fertilizer produces more leaves than blooms, so use a balanced fertilizer.
These plants propagate well through cuttings. Take a few inches of a long stem and insert 1 inch of the cutting in the pot containing potting soil. Water them carefully and place them near a window or grow lights to see roots emerging in a week.
Conclusion
Aphids are a common garden problem, but it is not something that cannot be solved. There are plenty of effective plants that repel and even kill never-ending aphids. Whichever plant you decide to have, always remember the following points from the article above:
- Catmint repels the aphids attracted by the surrounding plants effectively with the help of its strong smell.
- The trapping plants are your one-stop solution to getting rid of the aphids for good.
- Apart from the catmint, plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family have an irresistible fragrance that will leave your garden all the more attractive.
After knowing more about these plants, which one would you like to grow?
References
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/lavender
https://extension.umn.edu/flowers/growing-petunias
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/nasturtium-tropaeolum-majus/
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