31 Pest-Repelling Flowers and Herbs to Plant Around Tomatoes, Roses, and Patios
Pest-repelling plants work best when they are placed with a job in mind.
Use these flowers and herbs near the crops, roses, and seating areas you want to protect.
31. Basil near tomatoes
Basil near tomatoes earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
30. Marigolds around vegetable beds
Marigolds around vegetable beds earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
29. Nasturtiums as a trap crop
Nasturtiums as a trap crop earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
28. Lavender by patio edges
Lavender by patio edges earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
27. Rosemary in hot dry corners
Rosemary in hot dry corners earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
26. Sage near cabbage family crops
Sage near cabbage family crops earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
25. Thyme between stepping stones
The hidden problem: Thyme between stepping stones earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting.
24. Chives around roses
Chives around roses earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
23. Garlic chives by aphid-prone plants
Garlic chives by aphid-prone plants earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
22. Dill for beneficial insects
Dill for beneficial insects earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
21. Fennel in its own corner
Fennel in its own corner earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
20. Cilantro before it bolts
Cilantro before it bolts earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement. For a related planting choice, Houseplants You Can Forget to Water for Weeks, Ranked by How Hard They Are to Kill can help you match the site.
19. Parsley for hoverflies
Quick read: Parsley for hoverflies earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
18. Mint in a container
Mint in a container earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
17. Catnip away from paths
Catnip away from paths earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
16. Lemon balm in a pot
Lemon balm in a pot earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement. For a related planting choice, Low-Light Houseplants That Actually Survive Neglect, Dry Air, and Dark Corners can help you match the site.
15. Bee balm for pollinators
Bee balm for pollinators earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
14. Yarrow near mixed borders
Yarrow near mixed borders earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
13. Calendula in vegetable beds
Calendula in vegetable beds earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
12. Sweet alyssum under taller plants
Sweet alyssum under taller plants earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement. For a related planting choice, Ground Covers That Hold Slopes in Place Without Taking Over Your Yard can help you match the site.
11. Borage beside tomatoes
Quick read: Borage beside tomatoes earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
10. Oregano near sunny beds
Oregano near sunny beds earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
9. Tansy only where appropriate
The hidden problem: Tansy only where appropriate earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting.
Read More: Drought-Proof Flowers That Keep Blooming Through Brutal Summer Heat
8. Chrysanthemums in containers
Chrysanthemums in containers earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
7. Petunias near beans and tomatoes
Petunias near beans and tomatoes earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
6. Geraniums around seating
Geraniums around seating earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
5. Alliums in flower borders
Alliums in flower borders earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
Read More: Plants That Fill Bare, Dry Shade Where Grass Refuses to Grow
4. Rue with caution
Rue with caution earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
3. Wormwood with space
Quick read: Wormwood with space earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
2. Lemongrass in patio pots
Lemongrass in patio pots earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting. Treat it as support, not a spray replacement.
1. Citronella geranium near seating
The hidden problem: Citronella geranium near seating earns its place when you need fewer pest problems around food crops and patios.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Match the plant to the sun and water needs of the bed you are protecting.
Read More: Pothos Fixes That Turn Leggy Vines Into a Fuller, Faster-Growing Plant
The goal is not to copy a magazine garden. It is to make the next practical decision easier, then let the results compound.
