These Five Plants Will Repel Flies From Your Garden

Christine Bird - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only
Christine Bird - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only

One of the biggest perks of gardening and maintaining your landscape is getting to enjoy a gorgeous outdoor space during the warmer months.

But there’s nothing worse than pesky flies turning a relaxing afternoon or fun dinner party into an annoyance.

Thankfully, nature has provided us with some plants that can help keep these uninvited guests at bay. Not only do they repel flies, but they also add beauty, fragrance, and various other benefits to your garden.

So, here are some of the most effective fly-repelling plants to add to your backyard.

Bay Laurel

Bay Laurel is a stately evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, dark green leaves that can grow up to 12 feet tall. But, it is often pruned to a more manageable height for most gardens.

Flies find this plant very unappealing due to its aromatic leaves. The essential oils in the leaves emit a fragrance that flies find repellent, helping to keep them away from your garden.

Bay Laurel thrives in well-drained soil and enjoys full sun to partial shade. It’s also relatively drought-tolerant once established, but regular watering during dry spells will help this plant stay healthy.

Basil

Christine Bird – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only

Basil is a lush, bushy herb with bright green, oval leaves and a fresh, peppery scent – perfect for creating fresh pesto sauce, garnishing salads and soups, and even crafting cocktails.

Basil’s famously strong aroma is also a natural deterrent to flies. So, planting it near doors, windows, or outdoor dining areas can help keep flies away while providing fresh herbs for your cooking.

This herb loves warm weather and plenty of sunlight. Just be sure to plant it in well-draining soil and water it regularly – keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.

Lavender

Lavender is a perennial herb with silvery-green foliage and spikes of purple, blue, or white flowers. Plus, its distinctive fragrance is both soothing and powerful.

The strong lavender scent most of us know and love, though, is very effective at repelling flies. This plant also attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity.

Lavender prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Once it’s established, it’s also drought-tolerant and will require only minimal watering.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is, you guessed it, a tall, grassy plant with long, slender leaves that can grow up to four feet tall. It also has a fresh, lemony scent.

So, the citrusy aroma of lemongrass is actually a natural fly deterrent. In fact, its essential oils – particularly citronella – are commonly used in insect repellents.

This plant thrives in warm climates with plenty of sunlight and enjoys being planted in well-drained soil. It can also be grown in containers if you live in cooler climates, allowing you to bring it indoors during the winter.

Marigold

Last but not least are marigolds, cheerful annuals with bright yellow, orange, or red flowers.

Marigolds emit a distinctive scent known for repelling flies and other insects as well. So, their presence in your garden can help protect your other plants from pests, making them excellent companion plants.

The best part? Marigolds are easy to grow – preferring well-drained soil and full sun. They’re also relatively drought-tolerant but enjoy regular watering, especially during hot and dry weather.

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Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing ... More about Katharina Buczek

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