17 Plants to Keep Wasps Away from Your Yard Naturally

Wasps can be a real nuisance, especially when you’re trying to enjoy time outside in your garden or patio. Their painful stings can quickly ruin a nice day outdoors. 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 to discover 17 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.

11. Mint

Mint is one of the most popular herbs for repelling wasps. Varieties like peppermint, spearmint, and pennyroyal contain menthol and other oils that wasps hate. The bold, refreshing scent overwhelms wasps’ receptors.

Grow mint in pots or designated garden beds. Give it plenty of room since mint is invasive. Crush leaves to release more oils. Plant near patios, decks, and high-traffic areas.

12. Lemongrass

The citrusy aroma of lemongrass makes an excellent wasp repellent. Lemongrass contains citronella, a natural oil that masks other scents that attract wasps. The strong lemony fragrance confuses wasps’ sense of smell.

Plant lemongrass in pots and bring indoors over winter. Put pots around patios, decks, and outdoor living areas. Crush leaves to increase aroma.

13. Rosemary

Rosemary is a culinary herb that doubles as an aromatic wasp repellent. The piney, herbaceous fragrance of rosemary contains compounds like cineole that wasps avoid.

Grow rosemary in zones 7-10. Plant it around patios, decks, picnic areas, and vegetable gardens. Choose upright varieties like ‘Tuscan Blue’ or trailing kinds like ‘Santa Barbara’.

14. Citronella

Citronella gets its name from citronella oil which makes an effective natural wasp repellent. The sharp, lemony aroma masks other scents that attract wasps to an area. Strong-smelling citronella plants can confuse wasps’ senses.

Grow citronella in pots so you can move it around your yard and patio. Give it full sun. Bring inside during cold weather.

15. Basil

Sweet basil contains the essential oil linalool which creates a scent that wasps avoid. Grow Genovese, cinnamon, and Thai basils to deter wasps from garden beds, patios, and deck areas.

Pinch off any flower blooms to prolong leaf production. Plant after the last frost date in full sun. Try combining with other wasp-repelling plants like marigolds.

16. Catmint

With its attractive spikes of blue flowers, catmint adds beauty while repelling wasps. Nepetalactone is the chemical in catmint leaves and flowers that wasps can’t stand.

Give catmint plenty of room to spread in garden beds and borders. It thrives in zones 3-8. Cats may roll around on plants which helps release more nepetalactone!

17. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus plants and their oil have insect-repelling properties. The strong, medicinal scent contains compounds like cineole that overwhelm wasps. The aroma can confuse their senses and repel them from an area.

Grow eucalyptus in zones 8-11. Plant it around patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, and living spaces. Or place pots of eucalyptus to move around as needed.

With some strategic planting, you can create an outdoor living space free of pesky wasps. Use these plants as a natural, non-toxic deterrent so you can reclaim your yard from wasps and enjoy it safely.

Several plants naturally repel wasps due to their strong scents. Popular choices include mint, basil, lavender, marigolds, and citronella.

Wasps strongly dislike the scent of peppermint, spearmint, and other mints, as well as citronella, eucalyptus, and certain other strong-smelling plants. They are also deterred by the smell of vinegar, cinnamon, and coffee.