Fill your garden with pretty and powerful pest-repelling plants. Some plants do double duty as natural pest bouncers, sending insects packing with just their scent, texture, or taste. In Texas, where the foundation soil can shift more than a toddler in a sugar coma, these plants beautify your home and defend it – all without a single spray bottle.
Why Plants?
Because bugs don’t like strong smells. They don’t like fuzzy leaves. They can’t stand sticky sap. Lucky for us, that includes tons of gorgeous, low-maintenance plants. Placed strategically around your foundation. Use nature’s green heroes to repel bugs and attract pollinators.
Key Considerations:
- Root Behavior: Stick to shallow-rooted plants when planting around the foundation. Shallow roots tend to be sidewalk-friendly, not damaging concrete. Plants such as lavender, marigold, and thyme are all good bets.
- Spacing and Airflow: Keep 12–18 inches between your foundation and the first row of plants. This allows airflow to reduce moisture buildup—because bugs love a dank crawlspace more than anything. It also helps prevent water from accumulating around the foundation.
- Drainage Friendly: Many pest-repelling plants are drought-tolerant (hello Texas summers!), which pairs well with our region’s need for solid foundation drainage.
Texas-Tough Pest-Repelling Plants You’ll Love
These plants naturally repel pests. Their scent, oils, or textures do the heavy lifting. Here is a great example. Plant lavender or mint near entryways. Both plants naturally deter mosquitoes and ants. For maximum oomph, harvest their leaves. Then make concentrated sprays or oils. After the plants die away, spray problem areas.
In short: They work while they grow. Use the leaves to make DIY bug spray.
Lavender
With its calming scent and gorgeous purple spikes, lavender is a visual and aromatic powerhouse. But for pests like mosquitoes and moths? It’s a no-go zone.
- Repels: Mosquitoes, moths
- Growing Tips: Needs full sun and well-draining soil. Drought-tolerant once established.
- Companion Plants: Echinacea, rosemary
Marigold
Marigolds are like sunshine in flower form—and they bring some serious pest-fighting flair. The strong scent and natural insecticidal properties repel nematodes and whiteflies.
- Repels: Nematodes, whiteflies
- Growing Tips: Avoid overcrowding to prevent snail issues. Full sun, moderate water.
- Companion Plants: Tomatoes, peppers, basil
Rosemary
Woody, fragrant, and as fabulous in the kitchen as it is in the garden. Rosemary repels flies and mosquitoes while lending structure to your bed.
- Repels: Flies, mosquitoes, cabbage moths
- Growing Tips: Prefers dry conditions and spacing to accommodate woody roots.
- Companion Plants: Sage, thyme
Lemongrass
This tropical-looking grass isn’t just pretty—it’s the source of citronella, a natural mosquito repellent. Its tall, arching blades add vertical interest and defense.
- Repels: Mosquitoes
- Growing Tips: Needs full sun and plenty of space. Water moderately.
- Companion Plants: Basil, catnip
Basil
It’s not just for pasta. Basil pumps out essential oils that repel mosquitoes and flies while inviting pollinators to stop by.
- Repels: Flies, mosquitoes
- Growing Tips: Likes sun and regular watering. Great near windows and entryways.
- Companion Plants: Tomatoes, oregano, chives
Mint
Mint is a garden thug in the best way—aggressively repelling ants, aphids, and flies. Just don’t let it escape its container.
- Repels: Ants, aphids, flies
- Growing Tips: Contain roots or use pots. Partial to full sun.
Companion Plants: Broccoli, cabbage
Thyme
Low-growing and high-functioning, thyme is a beautiful ground cover that releases pest-repelling oils when walked on or brushed against.
- Repels: Cabbage worms, whiteflies
- Growing Tips: Excellent in hot, dry spots. Doesn’t need rich soil.
Companion Plants: Strawberries, roses, brassicas
Catnip
More than a feline frenzy-maker, catnip contains nepetalactone—a compound shown to outperform DEET against mosquitoes.
- Repels: Mosquitoes
- Growing Tips: May spread rapidly; grow in pots if needed.
- Companion Plants: Chamomile, yarrow
Bonus Pest-Repelling Plant All-Stars
Add these heavy-hitters to your lineup for even more natural defense and visual interest around your home:
Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Big globe-shaped flowers with a bite! These plants smell like onions (because they are) and drive away soft-bodied pests.
- Repels: Aphids, carrot flies, cabbage worms, slugs
- Companion Plants: Lettuce, roses, brassicas
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Fragrant, floriferous, and great for pollinators, bee balm adds a minty aroma that repels mosquitoes and beetles.
- Repels: Mosquitoes, beetles
- Companion Plants: Echinacea, lavender
Yarrow
This drought-resistant plant features ferny foliage and flat blooms. Insects hate its smell, but butterflies love its flowers.
- Repels: Mosquitoes, beetles, flies
- Companion Plants: Catnip, bee balm, salvia
Tansy
With button-like yellow blooms, tansy makes a bold border and a bug barrier.
- Repels: Ants, mosquitoes, flies
- Caution: Toxic if ingested—avoid planting where pets or kids play unsupervised.
- Companion Plants: Fruit trees, rose bushes
Wormwood (Artemisia)
This silver-leaved beauty produces bitter compounds that insects loathe.
- Repels: Fleas, moths, ants, flies
- Companion Plants: Plant away from culinary herbs; better with strong-rooted shrubs.
Oregano
Bold in flavor and scent, oregano makes pests rethink their dinner plans.
- Repels: Cabbage moths, cucumber beetles
- Companion Plants: Basil, thyme, squash
Borage
Soft blue flowers and fuzzy leaves make borage a visual treat with anti-pest perks.
- Repels: Tomato hornworms, cabbage worms
- Companion Plants: Tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers
Nasturtiums
These colorful climbers lure pests away from veggies and toward themselves.
- Repels: Aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs
- Companion Plants: Beans, squash, cucumbers
Chamomile
Soft white flowers and a sweet scent mask surrounding plants and disrupt insect tracking.
- Repels: Mosquitoes, flies
- Companion Plants: Mint, lavender
Pro Tip: Create “Repellent Zones”
Place clusters of pest-repelling plants in a semi-circle near high-risk areas like:
- AC units (ant and spider hotbeds)
- Porch steps (mosquito zones)
- Outdoor trash bins (fly magnets)
Use the scent wall concept—layer multiple strong-scented plants together to form a no-go zone for bugs.
Final Thoughts
Create a Texas-style foundation landscaping with rocks and mulch. Make your garden stunning and safe with pest-repelling plants. Mix and match for vibrant, functional bug-repelling, pollinator-supporting borders. At the same time, protect your home’s foundation. It will be stunning. Just remember to prioritize spacing, shallow-rooted varieties, and drought resistance for long-term success.
Foundation cracks, shifting soil, or sudden moisture problems invite pests—and they’re also early warning signs of structural trouble. Don’t wait until the damage spreads. Call Arch Foundation Repair today and schedule your inspection. Keep your garden green, your home strong, and your pests out—for good.
Foundation Landscaping Eco-Friendly Pest Control Series
- Bug-off Naturally with Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Why Make Homemade Insect Repellent?
- How to Make a Homemade Remedy for Termites
- How to Make a Homemade Ant Repellent
- Homemade Cockroach Killers that Really Work
- How to Make Homemade Bug Spray for Spiders
- How to Make Homemade Fly Repellent
- How to Make a Homemade Wasp Trap and Spray
- Powerful Pest-Repelling Plants for Stunning Texas Foundation Landscaping
- Foundation Landscaping: Epic Kid & Pet-Friendly Pest Control
