Plants to Repel Insects in Florida

If you enjoy sitting outside in Florida, then you have dealt with all the insects buzzing around your head. Since insect control smells so bad, you probably don't want to spray it on you or your pets. Rather than choosing an option that smells bad to you, drive the insects away by using something that smells bad to them. Plants are a natural way to repel insects since the insects do not like the smell of the fruit, vegetable or the leaves of the plant. Grow these plants around your deck or patio and throughout your garden.

This beetroot is commonly referred to as red, table or garden beet. It creates red roots that are edible, and you can eat the vegetable either raw or cooked. The leaves of the beetroot are also edible, and are usually steamed. The beetroot repels different insects, especially when planted in vegetable gardens. Plant it next to kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, basil, cabbage and beans. Do not plant with pole bean and mustard. This plant grows throughout the summer in Florida, and you can harvest it in the fall.

Marigolds are either annuals or perennials depending on your climate. It is a perennial in South Florida. This plant creates fragrant orange, red and yellow, carnation-looking flowers. The marigold is part of the sunflower family, and it grows about 1 foot high. It requires full sun, and attracts birds, bees and butterflies. It blooms from mid-summer until early fall. This plant deters insects like nematodes, which is a type of microscopic worm.

Citronella grass is a tropical grass that grows in South Florida. This green grass grows to approximately 6 feet tall, and the leaves grow to about 3 feet long and 1 inch wide. This plant requires full sun and approximately 30 inches of water per year. Citronella grass grows well in pots, allowing you to add it to a porch, deck or even indoors. Grow it as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 10 through 12. Citronella oil is harvested from this plant, and this oil is used as a natural insect repellent. This plant is especially effective in deterring mosquitoes.

Catnip grows in different zones, including USDA zones 3 through 10. You can grow this plant as a perennial in South Florida, and it requires full sun to partial shade. The plant produces fragrant blue to gray leaves, and small, white flowers in clumps at the end of the stem. It attracts birds, butterflies and bees. It only requires an average amount of water. Catnip grows to approximately 4 feet tall, and it is especially effective in repelling mosquitoes.