The idea of planting a few things around your deck and having a mozzie-free summer is genuinely appealing. And the plants people recommend - citronella, lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus - do contain compounds that can deter mosquitoes.
But there's a big gap between "this plant contains a repellent compound" and "this plant will keep the mozzies off me at a backyard BBQ." Here's the honest answer.
Which plants are commonly said to repel mosquitoes?
The most frequently mentioned mosquito-repelling plants for Australian gardens include:
- Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) - the most widely recognised. Contains citronellal and geraniol, both known insect deterrents.
- Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) - similar compounds to citronella, very hardy in warm Australian climates. Often mistaken for citronella grass itself.
- Lavender - contains linalool and linalyl acetate. Repellent effect is mild at best.
- Eucalyptus (particularly lemon-scented eucalyptus, Corymbia citriodora) - PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol), extracted from this species, is actually used in some APVMA-registered repellent formulations.
- Peppermint and basil - contain menthol and other aromatic compounds that some mosquitoes find unpleasant.
So do they actually work?
Honestly? Not really, when used as passive garden plants.
The research is fairly consistent on this: the repellent compounds in these plants need to be extracted, concentrated and applied to be effective. A lemongrass plant growing in a pot near your outdoor table releases minimal amounts of its active compounds into the surrounding air - nowhere near the concentration needed to deter mosquitoes over any meaningful distance.
Where you do get a repellent effect from plants is when you crush the leaves and rub them on your skin. Studies on citronella grass and lemongrass have shown that this does provide some short-term deterrence. But it's nowhere near as reliable or long-lasting as a properly formulated, APVMA-registered repellent - and applying crushed plant material to your skin isn't exactly practical for a family BBQ.
Why people believe plants work (and why it makes sense they would)
Part of the reason this belief persists is that the compounds in these plants genuinely are insect deterrents, they're just in too low a concentration as garden plants to be practically effective as standalone protection.
The other factor is that having fragrant plants nearby can slightly reduce the number of mozzies settling in your immediate area, even if they don't eliminate them. So anecdotally, people notice they're getting bitten slightly less near their lavender border - which reinforces the belief, even if the effect is modest.
What actually works?
For reliable outdoor protection in Australian conditions, you need either a topically applied repellent (spray or cream, applied to exposed skin) or a wearable repellent like bands or patches.
The good news is that the most effective non-DEET repellent ingredients - like PMD from lemon eucalyptus, and citronella in concentrated form - are exactly the type of natural actives used in quality DEET-free products like Mozzigear's range.
So you can have the "natural ingredients" of the plants people recommend, but in an actually effective, properly formulated and registered product.
Can plants and repellents work together?
Yes - and that's probably the most sensible approach.
Having citronella plants or lemongrass in your garden adds a mild ambient deterrent effect, which is better than nothing. Combine that with a fan (mozzies hate wind), removing standing water, and applying proper repellent for people spending time outdoors, and you've got a layered approach that genuinely makes a difference.
Plants: nice to have, mild effect, makes the garden smell good. Repellent: reliable, practical, what you actually need before heading outside.
