Plants that deter insects:
There is nothing more frustrating than planting a garden, caring for
it, and then discovering that bugs are eating the leaves off them,
killing the plants in the process.
By planting some ‘companion plants’, you can help to naturally deter
insect pests, and thereby eliminate the need for using dangerous
chemicals on the plants you’ll be ingesting!
ASTERS repel most insects, and are a highly attractive plant as well.
BASIL repels flies and mosquitoes.
BORAGE repels tomato hornworm, and in fact, improves the flavor of
tomatoes when grown with them.
CALENDULA repels most insects.
CATNIP repels flea beetles.
CHRYSANTHEMUM deters most insects.
DEAD NETTLE deters potato bugs, and also improves the growth and
flavor of potatoes when interplanted with them.
EGGPLANT deters the Colorado potato beetle.
FLAX deters potato beetles.
GARLIC deters Japanese beetles, most other insects, and blight.
Planted around rose bushes, it deters aphids.
GERANIUM deters most insects, especially mosquitoes.
HORSERADISH planted at the corners of the potato patch, it deters
potato bugs.
HYSSOP deters the white cabbage moth.
MARIGOLD is considered a real workhorse. It deters numerous pests.
Planted throughout the garden, it will discourage a wide variety of
pests, including nematodes and Mexican bean beetles. Plant them in
clumps and let them spread out for better protection. Your plants will
still do well, and marigolds don’t take up too much room. Besides,
they are also very attractive in the veggie bed!
MINT deters white cabbage moth and ants. (both spearmint and
peppermint)
You’re best to plant mint in a container for the veggie bed though,
because it puts out advantageous roots which will produce new plants –
and quickly overtake your garden if it gets too much advantage.
Planting some mint away from the garden is also a good idea, because
the blossoms attract honeybees and hummingbirds. The scent is great,
too!
NASTURTIUM deters aphids, squash bugs, and striped pumpkin beetles.
Nasturtiums are also edible!
ONIONS and anything in the onion family, such as leeks, chives, etc-
all deter most garden pests.
PETUNIAS protect beans. Planting even one WAVE petunia in with your
beans will result in better bean production, and healthier plants.
I suggest the WAVE petunia because, unlike regular petunias, the WAVE
doesn’t need to have its spent blossoms removed immediately. (The
regular petunia does—if the spent bloom is not immediately removed,
the plant goes to seed.) Petunias mixed with bean plants are highly
attractive as well!
POT MARIGOLD deters asparagus beetles, tomato hornworms and most
general garden pests.
RADISH especially deters the cucumber beetle.
When radish seed is interplanted with carrots and beets, the seedlings
also help break up the soil to allow better aeration.
ROSEMARY deters cabbage moth, bean beetles, and carrot-flies
RUE deters Japanese beetles.
SAGE deters cabbage moths and carrot flies.
SALSIFY deters carrot flies.
SOUTHERNWOOD deters cabbage moths.
SUMMER SAVORY deters bean beetles.
TANSY deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber
beetles, squash beetles and ants.
THYME deters cabbage worms.
WORMWOOD deters carrot flies, white cabbage butterflies, and black
flea beetles.
More posts concerning companion planting will follow. :o)
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