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Forget bug sprays and promote your inner gardener

Everyone loves to spend time outside but hates the annoying mosquitoes and bugs but you won’t need a bottle of bug repellent with the help of some house plants. Here are the plants you should consider having for the summer to keep the pesky bugs away including edible options.

Mint

This classic herb makes a great garnish for dishes and cocktails with a fresh scent that keeps pesky bugs away. It’s best to keep mint in a planting pot that you can keep outside during the warmer months and indoors during the winter to keep flies away.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass repels mosquitoes and is closely related to another repelling plant, citronella. Lemongrass can grow up to 4 to 5 feet tall so it needs a large container and sunny area to maintain growth. You can also use lemongrass for cooking including lemongrass simple syrup that’s great for cocktails and homemade juices.

Basil

Basil is easy to grow indoors and outdoors that repels mosquitoes and houseflies that can also be harvested for a fresh garnish for cooking or cocktails. You can also take the leaves and roll in hands to release natural oil, then rub on bug bites to ease the swelling.

Rosemary

Rosemary makes for the perfect plant for summer that thrives in dry, hot weather that can be planted in a container or used for a hedge. Fresh rosemary sprigs are great for cooking and fresh garnish for a table centerpiece to repel bugs.

Nasturtium

This plant adds beautiful flowers to your garden while repelling bugs from other surrounding plants to protect your whole garden. Nasturtium produces an airborne chemical to repel insects that protects plants grouped together in a garden.

Lavender

The strong scent of lavender may be relaxing to humans but it repels bugs. Lavender is a great summer plant because most fragrant types grow in dry and hot environments. Lavender oil can be used on the skin as a natural repellent that smells amazing and will be sure to relax you.