15 Plants That Can Help Repel Bees and Keep Them Out of Your Yard
Just as the sunshine and warm weather are welcomed during the summer, bugs and bees are not entirely anticipated. While they are a necessary part of life (although an argument could be made for mosquitoes and whether or not they're necessary), bugs are simply icky! Bees and wasps are not only annoying at times, but they can be scary and painful!
There are certain sprays and insecticides that can be used to help mitigate their presence when they're already in your yard, but did you know that there are actually some plants that repel bees or wasps? I'm not above admitting that I'd always associated flowers with pretty colors and smells, and bees. However, there are some plants with scents that bees do not like. Keep reading to discover plants that keep bees out of your yard!
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15 Plants That Repel Bees or Wasps
1. Lavender Plant, 4 Pack $21.74 on Amazon
Live Aromatic and Edible Herb - Lavender (4 Per Pack), Natural Sleep Enhancer, 6" Tall by 4" Wide in 1 Pint Pot
OK, so, lavender can attract bees, but it definitely repels yellow jackets and wasps. Bees will likely leave you alone unless provoked, and are great for the environment. Lavender is a great choice if you don't want the angry buzzing insects in your yard! Lavender Plant, 4 Pack $21.74 on Amazon
2. Marigold Plant, 4 Pack $19.02 on Amazon
Aztec Marigold Flowers (4 Pack), Tagetes Erecta, Mexican Marigold Orange Flowers, Mexican Marigold Flowers, African Marigold Flowers, Orange Marigold Flowers, Marigold Plant Live by Plants for Pets
Marigolds are another plant that don't necessarily deter honeybees, but they do repel wasps and other insects that are damaging to crops and gardens. Marigold Plant, 4 Pack $19.02 on Amazon
3. Cucumber Plant, 3 Pack $30.99 on Amazon
Three (3) Live Cucumber Plants | Marketmore Variety | Organic | 3" - 6"
The bitterness of the cucumber peel is what's thought to keep bees and other insects away from this plant. It also works if you don't want to plant cucumbers to grow, but instead spread cucumber peels throughout your yard. Cucumber Plant, 3 Pack $30.99 on Amazon
4. Geranium Plants, 5 Pack $21.95 on Amazon
Colorful Geranium Perennial Tapestry Mix | Beautiful Purple, Pink, Blue, & White Blooms - Perennial Plant - 5 Bare Root Flower Plants - Hardy to Zone 5 | Ships from Easy to Grow TM
Containing little to no pollen is one thing that helps geraniums repel bees. Another deterring aspect of these flowers is their smell which is strong and very off-putting to many insects. Geranium Plants, 5 Pack $21.95 on Amazon
5. Pennyroyal Plant, $4.45 on Amazon
Pennyroyal, 1 Live Plant in 3.5" Pot
Mosquito plant, pudding grass and pennyrile are all names associated with the pennyroyal plant. The strong smell of mint that these plants put off is what keeps the bees away. Bees do not like mint at all! Pennyroyal Plant, $4.45 on Amazon
Related: To Trail or To Climb? You Choose With the 25 Best Indoor Hanging Plants
6. Feverfew Seeds, $6.49 on Amazon
Outsidepride Perennial Chrysanthemum Parthenium Feverfew Garden Herb Plants - 5000 Seeds
These small daisy look-alikes have a pleasant scent to humans, but are a strong deterrent to bees! This plant can also be used holistically to help ailments such as toothaches, headaches, arthritis and fevers. Feverfew Seeds, $6.49 on Amazon
7. Honeysuckle Vine, $12.99 on Amazon
John Clayton Climbing Honeysuckle Vine - Lonicera - 2.5" Pot
The trumpet shape of the honeysuckle is what deters bees from this plant. This shape makes capturing pollen difficult for bees, so they don't even bother with them. Honeysuckle Vine, $12.99 on Amazon
8. Eucalyptus Plant, 4 Pack $23.00 on Amazon
Live Aromatic and Healthy Herb - Eucalyptus (4 Per Pack) - Assorted Varieties, Natural Air Purifier, 10" Tall by 3" Wide
Eucalyptus is fairly easy to grow and maintain. Since it also repels bees due to its powerful aroma, this plant is a win-win! Eucalyptus Plant, 4 Pack $23.00 on Amazon
9. Peppermint Plant, 2 Pack $19.97 on Amazon
Clovers Garden Peppermint Mint Herb Plants - Two (2) Live Plants – Non-GMO - Not Seeds - Each 4" to 8" Tall – in 4" Inch Pots – Vigorous Grower, Great for Indoor Herb Gardens
This one seems to be a bit controversial. Some say that the peppermint plant will deter bees, and others say that it could possibly attract them. However, most all say that peppermint oil is definitely a deterrent for bees. Peppermint Plant, 2 Pack $19.97 on Amazon
10. Rosemary Plant, 4 Pack $22.22 on Amazon
Live Aromatic and Edible Herb - Rosemary (4 Per Pack), Naturally Improves Breathing and Air Quality, 8" Tall by 3" Wide
While bees like the flowers that grow on rosemary plants, they don't like the scent of the plant itself. This is another scent that would be good to try in the oil form and see which works best! Rosemary Plant, 4 Pack $22.22 on Amazon
Related: 30 Best Hard-to-Kill Houseplants That Thrive Even When They're Neglected
11. Lemongrass Plant, $21.98 on Amazon
Large Lemongrass Plant in 4-inch Pot, Cymbopogon Citratus, West Indian Lemon Grass, Fully Rooted for Kitchen Garden
Lemongrass is one of the top-rated plants for repelling bees! Its strong odor, which is pleasant to humans, is overpowering for bees and they'll most likely stay away. Lemongrass Plant, $21.98 on Amazon
12. Spearmint Plant, 4 Pack $23.98 on Amazon
Bonnie Plants Spearmint Live Edible Aromatic Herb Plant - 4 Pack, Pet Friendly, Low Light, Part Shade, Great for Indoors
Much like peppermint, spearmint's smell is just too strong for bees to enjoy. Some say to use spearmint oil on yourself as a perfume to deter them from mistaking you for a flower and landing on you. Spearmint Plant, 4 Pack $23.98 on Amazon
13. Wormwood Plant, $18.00 on Amazon
Organic Wormwood Plant, (Artemisia Absinthium) 2.5-inch Pot
This plant contains a toxic substance to bugs called absinthe, which has an acrid smell that alerts bees and wasps alike to the potential danger, helping to keep them far away! Wormwood Plant, $18.00 on Amazon
14. Basil Plant, 2 Pack $18.95 on Amazon
Basil Sweet Italian (2 Pack) Potted Herb Plants in 3-4" Grower's Pots, Professionally Grown Garden Plants from Easy to Grow
Another fragrance that bees do not love is that of the basil plant. Having this in your garden will not only keep the bees away, but will give you an aromatic ingredient to add to your soups and sauces! Basil Plant, 2 Pack $18.95 on Amazon
15. Citronella Plant, 4 Pack $28.99 on Amazon
Live Citronella Geranium Plants (4-Pack); Pelargonium Citronella Scented Potted Plants
Citronella can deter yellow jackets and wasps, as well as bees. Most commonly thought to repel mosquitos, citronella is good for a wide variety of pest control. Citronella Plant, 4 Pack $28.99 on Amazon
What Plant Do Bees Hate the Most?
While up for debate on some, it's stated that bees hate eucalyptus, lemongrass, pennyroyal, citronella, peppermint and basil the most—listed from most to least deterring. Another strong deterrent for bees, and many other insects, is wormwood—due to its harmful properties. Keep in mind that bees are attracted to most flowers/blooms on any plant, but knowing which scents or oils to focus on can help keep them out of your yard!
Keep Reading: 101 Creative Names for Your Houseplants—AKA Your Sweet, Precious, Angelic Plant Babies
