Aesthetic appeal, yes, indoor plants can enhance the beauty and decor of a space. That said, indoor plants improve air quality, and these plants can purify the air by removing harmful pollutants and producing oxygen. It is believed they have mental health benefits too. Plants indoors can reduce stress, improve mood and increase productivity. In addition, studies verify indoor plants can positively affect physical health by reducing the feeling of sickness and improving physical fitness and overall well-being. Overall, indoor plants provide a healthy and attractive addition to any indoor space.
Citronella grass, lemon balm, marigold, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, basil, geranium, lemongrass, and pennyroyal all contain essential oils that can act as natural insect repellents. These oils give off strong scents that insects find unappealing, making the plants less attractive. These plants also emit volatile compounds that can discourage insects from landing on them and help to repel certain species of insects. Additionally, These plants can be used to make natural insect-repellent sprays or oils. Indoor plants have been shown to have several positive effects on health.
10 Indoor Plants To Repel Insects
1. Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Marigolds are good indoor plants due to their bright flowers, low maintenance, pest-repellent properties, and ease of propagation.
- Bright Flowers: Marigolds produce bright and cheerful flowers in various colours, making them a great addition to any indoor space.
- Low Maintenance: Marigolds are relatively low maintenance and can grow well indoors with bright, direct sunlight and well-drained soil.
- Pest Repellent: Marigolds have natural pest-repellent properties and can help keep common indoor pests, such as spider mites and whiteflies, at bay.
- Easy to Propagate: Marigolds are easy to propagate, making it simple to have multiple plants indoors or to share with friends and family.
2. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon Balm is an excellent indoor plant due to its air purifying, aromatherapy, low maintenance, and healing properties.
- Air Purification: Lemon balm has been shown to help purify the air by removing harmful chemicals.
- Aroma: Lemon balm has a strong lemon scent that can freshen up a room and promote relaxation and calmness.
- Low Maintenance: Lemon balm is relatively low maintenance and can grow well indoors with bright indirect light and moderate watering.
- Healing Properties: Lemon balm has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, such as reducing stress, aiding sleep, and treating cold sores.
3. Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus)
Citronella grass is an excellent indoor plant because it repels mosquitoes and other insects. In addition, the plant emits a strong citrus scent that deters insects, making it a popular choice for use in outdoor areas. When grown indoors, it can help improve indoor air quality and provide a fresh, natural fragrance. Additionally, citronella grass is relatively low upkeep.
- Aromatic: Citronella Grass has a strong, lemony aroma that can add a fresh scent to any room.
- Easy to grow: Citronella Grass is relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it a good choice for novice gardeners or those who do not have a green thumb.
- Versatile: The oil extracted from Citronella Grass is used in a variety of products, including candles, insect repellents, and soaps.
- Air purifying: Like many other indoor plants, Citronella Grass can help purify the air in your home by removing pollutants and producing oxygen.
- Repels insects: Citronella Grass is known for its ability to repel insects, making it a good choice for those looking for a natural way to keep pests at bay.
4. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint is a perfect indoor plant due to its fresh aroma, culinary uses, low maintenance, and healing properties.
- Aroma: Peppermint has a fresh, invigorating scent that can help improve indoor air quality and provide a natural aromatherapy experience.
- Culinary Use: Peppermint leaves can be used for culinary purposes, such as making tea, adding to desserts, and cooking.
- Low Maintenance: Peppermint is relatively low maintenance and can grow well indoors with bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
- Healing Properties: Peppermint has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, such as reducing headaches, soothing digestive issues, and reducing stress.
5. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is a suitable indoor plant due to its calming aroma, low maintenance, healing properties, and decorative appeal.
- Aroma: Lavender has a calming and soothing scent that can help improve indoor air quality and promote relaxation and sleep.
- Low Maintenance: Lavender is relatively low maintenance and can grow well indoors with bright, direct sunlight and well-drained soil.
- Healing Properties: Lavender has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, such as reducing anxiety and stress, improving sleep, and soothing skin irritations.
- Decorative: Lavender has a delicate and attractive appearance, making it a great addition to any indoor space.
6. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is a flawless indoor plant due to its fresh aroma, culinary uses, low maintenance, and healing properties.
- Aroma: Rosemary has a fresh, earthy scent that can help improve indoor air quality and provide a natural aromatherapy experience.
- Culinary Use: Rosemary leaves are a popular ingredient in cooking, adding flavor to meats, vegetables, and other dishes.
- Low Maintenance: Rosemary is relatively low maintenance and can grow well indoors with bright, direct sunlight and well-drained soil.
- Healing Properties: Rosemary has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, such as improving memory and concentration, reducing stress, and soothing digestive issues.
7. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
All-around, basil is a great indoor plant for its ease of care, versatility, air-purifying properties, and ability to brighten up any space.
- Easy to grow: Basil is relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it a good choice for novice gardeners or those who do not have a green thumb.
- Aromatic: Basil has a strong, fragrant aroma that can add a fresh scent to any room.
- Versatile: Basil is a versatile herb used in various dishes, adding flavor and nutrition to your meals.
- Air purifying: Like many other indoor plants, basil can help purify the air in your home by removing pollutants and producing oxygen.
- Brightens up space: With its vibrant green leaves and small, delicate flowers, basil can add visual interest to your indoor space.
8. Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)
Geraniums are a great indoor plant for their low maintenance, bright and colourful flowers, air-purifying properties, ease of propagation, and versatility.
- Low maintenance: Geraniums are relatively low maintenance, making them an outstanding choice for those who need more time or experience with indoor gardening.
- Bright, colorful flowers: Geraniums are known for their bright and colorful flowers, which can add a pop of color to any indoor space.
- Air purifying: Like many other indoor plants, geraniums can help purify the air in your home by removing pollutants and producing oxygen.
- Easy to propagate: Geraniums are easy to propagate, which means you can create new plants from existing ones.
- Versatile: Geraniums can be grown in pots or in hanging baskets, making them a versatile choice for any indoor space.
9. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Lemongrass is a great indoor plant for its intense aroma, ease of care, versatility, air-purifying properties, and pest-resistant nature.
- Pest-resistant: Lemongrass is naturally pest-resistant, making it a good choice for those who want to avoid using harsh chemicals in their indoor garden.
- Aromatic: Lemongrass has a strong, citrusy aroma that can add a fresh scent to any room.
- Easy to grow: Lemongrass is relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it a good choice for novice gardeners or those who do not have a green thumb.
- Versatile: Lemongrass is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes, adding flavor and nutrition to your meals.
- Air purifying: Like many other indoor plants, lemongrass can help purify the air in your home by removing pollutants and producing oxygen.
10. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
Pennyroyal is an ideal indoor plant. Pennyroyal is an excellent indoor plant for its strong aroma, ease of care, versatility, air-purifying properties, and insect-repelling properties, but with caution and appropriate use.
However, it is essential to note that pennyroyal is toxic if ingested in large amounts and should be kept out of reach of children and pets. It’s also recommended to use caution when handling pennyroyal, as it can cause skin irritation for some people.
- Aromatic: Pennyroyal has a strong, minty aroma that can add a fresh scent to any room.
- Easy to grow: Pennyroyal is relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it a good choice for novice gardeners or those who do not have a green thumb.
- Versatile: Pennyroyal is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes, adding flavor and nutrition to your meals.
- Air purifying: Like many other indoor plants, pennyroyal can help purify the air in your home by removing pollutants and producing oxygen.
- Repels insects: Pennyroyal is known for its ability to repel insects, making it a good choice for those looking for a natural way to keep pests at bay.
Amazing Benefits Of Indoor Plants
- Improved air quality:
Indoor plants can help to cleanse the air by removing harmful pollutants and increasing the level of oxygen. - Reduced stress and anxiety:
Studies have shown that having plants in the home or office can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels. - Improved concentration and productivity:
Plants have been shown to improve concentration and productivity, especially in office environments. - Increased humidity:
Many indoor plants release water vapour through a process called transpiration, which can increase the moisture in a room, which can be helpful for people with dry skin or respiratory issues. - Better sleep:
Plants can help create a more relaxing and soothing environment, leading to better sleep. - Aesthetic appeal:
Indoor plants can enhance a space’s visual appeal, improving mood and overall well-being. - Sense of responsibility:
Having plants to care for can give people a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. - Connection with nature:
Indoor plants can create a relationship with nature for people who live in urban areas or have limited access to outdoor spaces.
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Chippy is a dreamer and optimist. She believes, we become what we hope, aspire, dream to be and knows how to make a dream or two happen. Seventeen years of experience, struggling, winning, failing, succeeding and failing again and making it, she knows what it takes to build a successful project, a business, and what it means by starting from the bottom up. It takes determination, dedication, and direction and that’s why her mission is to ‘step up & inspire.’
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