Do you know about Plants that Deter Ants? Growing them is a natural way to keep these common insects away from your garden!

Insects can be troublesome, both indoors and in the garden. Using insecticides is not a good idea, especially in flower beds and around your edible plants. So, is there a natural way to keep insects like ants away? Yes! By growing Plants that Deter Ants! Let’s have a look!

Plants that Deter Ants

1. Mint

Botanical Name: Mentha

This perennial herb has innumerable benefits, out of which one best perk is it keeps ants away! Grow mint in pots near doors and below windows.

According to this study, Peppermint works the best as its strong smell interferes with the ants’ scent trails, pheromones, and communications.

Learn growing mint indoors here

2. Rosemary

Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary makes the home cozy and warm with its aroma—while outdoors, it keeps the garden plants and soil protected from ants, beetles, mosquitoes, and other pests.

Here’s all you need to know about growing Rosemary

3. Thyme

Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris

Thyme has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that can stop ants from entering the soil around it. To make it more effective, simply crush a few of its leaves and keep it on the ants’ path.

Learn growing thyme in pots here

4. Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula

This self-seeding fragrant herb releases a strong scent that keeps ants away from plants. You can enclose the garden with lavender to prevent ants from attacking.

Here’s all you need to know about growing Lavender

5. Rue

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Botanical Name: Ruta graveolens

This perennial herb with thin woody shoots repel ants. The simple trick to keep ants away is by scattering the twigs around plants, and ants will not come around it.

6. Garlic

Botanical Name: Allium sativum

Garlic is an effective deterrent for ants! Plant this perennial around doorways and below windows. It grows well in full sunlight in well-draining soil.

Learn how to make and use garlic water pesticides for plants here

7. Yarrow

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Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium

Also known as milfoil or soldier’s woundwort, this shrub-like plant is quite useful in repelling ants. It attracts butterflies and deters many insects, too!

8. Tansy

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Botanical Name: Tanacetum vulgare

Tansy is also known as golden buttons due to little bunches of fragrant yellow blooms that appear in the summer. Both leaves and roots drive away ants—sprinkle tansy over plants to repel ants.

Note: Make sure to wear gloves before handling the plant as it is toxic. Also, keep pets and 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren away from the tansy.

9. Catnip

Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria

Cats love catnip, but ants react completely opposite toward this aromatic herb. Grow this plant where ants are mostly found—doors, windows, or garden areas.

Here’s all you need to know about growing Catnip

10. Wormwood

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Botanical Name: Artemisia absinthium

Grow wormwood to prevent ants and save the plants from their attack. The use of dried or powdered wormwood is also helpful in deterring ants. Moths also dislike its smell.

11. Pennyroyal

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Botanical Name: Mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal has a sweet aroma and purple blooms. You can use it as a companion for plants that are prone to pest invasion and ants.

Caution: It is toxic when consumed and mainly unsafe for cats and 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.

12. Lemongrass

Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus

Lemongrass has citronella oil, which acts as a great repellant for ants. Crush the leaves and spread them around the garden plants to deter ants.

Learn growing lemongrass from seeds here

13. Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis

Sage has become a powerful ingredient in many natural essential oils. You can grow it to repel ants and other insects in your garden.

Learn all about growing sage in pots here

14. Turmeric

Powder of turmeric roots is used to deter ants, which means it’s naturally ant repellant. Grow it in an ant-prone area to see the results. Read more turmeric benefits here!