Ticks are more than just a nuisance for homeowners—they’re a serious health concern. These tiny bloodsuckers can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, making tick control a top priority for anyone with a yard.

While chemical repellents are an option, many homeowners are turning to natural solutions. Planting tick-repelling plants offers an eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing way to keep these pests at bay. This guide will explore the most effective plants for repelling ticks and how to incorporate them into your landscape for maximum protection.

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How Do Plants Repel Ticks?

Before diving into specific plant varieties, it’s important to understand how plants help control tick populations. There are two primary ways plants contribute to tick prevention:

Chemical Repellents

Many plants naturally produce chemical compounds that deter ticks and other pests. These compounds, often in the form of essential oils, create an environment that ticks find unappealing. While ticks may not feed directly on these plants, the presence of these chemical repellents in the air and on nearby surfaces can keep ticks away from treated areas.

Discouraging Tick Hosts

Some plants are effective at repelling not just ticks but also the animals that commonly carry them, such as mice and deer. By making your yard less attractive to these tick hosts, you can significantly reduce the tick population in your outdoor spaces. Plants with strong scents or bitter tastes are particularly effective for this purpose.

What 13 Plants Can Repel Ticks?

Here are the 13 best plants that discourage ticks from making a home in your yard:

Rosemary

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a versatile herb that does double duty in the garden. Its strong, aromatic oils not only add flavor to dishes but also help repel ticks. Deer and other tick-carrying animals tend to avoid rosemary due to its potent scent.

It does best in full sun and well-drained soil. Water it sparingly, as rosemary is fairly resistant to dry conditions. Prune regularly to maintain shape and promote new growth.

Wormwood

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a bitter herb that repels ticks and many other pests. Its silvery-gray foliage can add a unique texture to garden beds.

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil and water sparingly. Prune in early spring to maintain shape.

Garlic

While garlic (Allium sativum) may not be the most aesthetically pleasing plant, its tick-repelling properties make it a valuable addition to any garden. The strong sulfur compounds in garlic repel ticks and many other pests.

Plant garlic cloves in the fall for a summer harvest the next year. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Garlic needs room to grow, so space it 4–6 inches apart. Cover with mulch to protect from frost and snow.

Lavender

The sweet scent of lavender (Lavandula) may be pleasant to humans, but ticks find it repulsive. This beautiful purple flowering plant not only repels ticks but also adds a touch of color and fragrance to any garden.

Plant lavender in full sun in well-drained soil. Avoid overwatering and prune in early spring to encourage bushy growth.

Mint

Mint (Mentha) is a hardy herb with a strong scent that repels ticks and many other insects. Mint is an exuberant grower and can easily overtake surrounding plants, so it’s best kept in containers to prevent rampant spreading.

Mint likes partial shade or full sun and moist soil, but be careful not to overwater it or waterlog the soil. Harvest regularly to encourage new growth.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) contains citronella, a well-known insect repellent. Its tall, grassy appearance adds texture to the garden while helping to keep ticks at bay.

Lemongrass loves full sun in rich, well-drained soil. It’s susceptible to dry spells, so water regularly during periods of little rain. Divide clumps every 2–3 years to maintain health and vigorous growth.

Geranium

Scented geraniums (Pelargonium) produce oils that repel ticks and other insects. Their variety of fragrances and colorful blooms make them a versatile addition to any garden.

They do best in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. Water when the first inch of surrounding soil is dry, but don’t let soil further down dry out too much. Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier growth.

Marigold

Marigolds (Tagetes) are known for their bright, cheerful blooms and their ability to repel various pests, including ticks. Their strong scent is off-putting to ticks and many of the animals that carry them.

Sow marigold seeds directly in the ground after the last frost, where they’ll get full sun. Water regularly, but avoid wetting the foliage. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Rue

Rue (Ruta graveolens) is an herb with a strong, bitter scent that repels ticks and many other insects. Its blue-green foliage can add interesting color to the garden.

Full sun is the best place for rue. Space plants 1–2 feet apart in well-drained soil and water sparingly once they’re established. Rue can cause skin irritation in some people, so wear gloves as needed.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrin, a compound used in many commercial insecticides. This makes them highly effective at repelling ticks and other pests. Their colorful blooms also make them a beautiful addition to any garden.

Chrysanthemums do well in full sun to partial shade and like well-drained soil. Pinch back growing tips in spring to encourage fuller growth, and divide the plants every 3–4 years to maintain vigor.

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a member of the mint family known for its strong aroma and pest-repelling properties. However, it’s important to note that pennyroyal can be toxic if ingested, so use caution when planting if you have pets or children.

It likes moist, but not overly wet, soil in partial shade to full sun. Because it’s an easy spreader, it’s best to contain it in a pot or enclosed bed. Trim regularly to prevent flowering and maintain compact growth.

Tansy

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a hardy perennial with fern-like leaves and button-shaped yellow flowers. Its strong scent repels ticks and many other insects.

They grow best in sunny locations in well-drained soil. Space the plants 1–2 feet apart and maintain aggressively, as tansy can spread rapidly.

Floss Flower

Floss flower (Ageratum houstonianum) is a low-growing annual with fuzzy blue or purple flowers. While less commonly known for tick-repellent properties, it can help deter them while adding color to the garden.

Plant in rich soil in full sun to partial shade. Make sure the soil is well-drained but maintain consistent, light moisture. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Creating a Tick-Repellent Landscape

To maximize the effectiveness of tick-repelling plants, consider these landscaping strategies:

Create barriers: Plant tick-repelling species around the perimeter of your yard and along property lines to create a natural barrier.
Focus on high-traffic areas: Concentrate planting near patios, decks, and other areas where people frequently gather outdoors.
Layer your defenses: Combine different plant species to create a multi-layered defense against ticks.
Maintain your yard: Keep grass short, remove leaf litter, and maintain a tidy landscape to reduce tick habitat.
Consider container gardening: Use pots and planters to add tick-repelling plants to patios, decks, and other hard surfaces.

Integrating Companion Plants

To further enhance your tick-repellent landscape, integrating companion plants can be highly effective. For example, you can combine tick-repelling plants like lavender with other beneficial plants like basil or rosemary. This not only creates a more diverse garden but also maximizes the protective benefits. Companion planting can also support the health of other plants by improving soil quality and deterring additional pests, such as aphids or mosquitoes.

Sustainable Gardening Practices

Adopt sustainable gardening practices to keep your tick-repellent landscape thriving. Organic mulches, such as wood chips or bark, help retain moisture and suppress weed growth around your tick-repellent plants. Additionally, utilizing compost as a natural fertilizer will enrich the soil and promote healthier plant growth, enhancing their pest-deterring capabilities. Regularly rotating plants and employing crop rotation techniques will also prevent soil depletion and improve overall garden health.

Additional Tick Prevention Measures

While plants can be effective in repelling ticks, they should be part of a comprehensive tick prevention strategy:

Perform regular tick checks after spending time outdoors.
Wear long sleeves and pants when in tick-prone areas.
Use EPA-approved insect repellents when necessary.
Keep pets protected with veterinarian-approved tick preventatives.
Remove any ticks promptly and properly if found.

FAQs About Tick-Repelling Plants

Do these plants work on other insects like mosquitoes, fleas, moths, or ants?

Oftentimes, plants that repel ticks also repel other insects. For example, lemongrass is good for ticks, but also is where citronella (a mosquito repellent) comes from.

Are these plants safe for pets?

Some of the plants on this list such as geraniums and chrysanthemums can be toxic to cats and dogs. However, in general, these animals know to keep away from them because they are naturally turned-off by the smell. This is evolution’s way of keeping them safe. Unless your dog has a habit of eating everything in the garden, you should be safe. You can also try hanging pots that pets can’t reach if you’re very concerned.

Are these plants scientifically proven to keep ticks away?

Unfortunately, most of the research around these plants use high-concentration extracts or essential oils, so it’s not entirely proven that the plants themselves have a significant effect on ticks. However, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the plants on this list keep away ticks and the animals that carry them.

What else can I do to prevent ticks?

Plant-based defenses will only go so far, since the animals that carry ticks can be persistent. The only surefire way to keep these animals away is to fence them out. To keep ticks away from you, your family, and pets, try tick repellents (DEET-based for humans, permethrin for animals). Check for ticks after spending time outdoors.

Do coffee grounds keep ticks away?

While some people claim that spreading coffee grounds around your yard can repel ticks, there is limited scientific evidence to support this. The strong smell of coffee may deter some pests, but it’s likely not a reliable long-term solution for ticks. For best results, focus on incorporating tick-repelling plants into your landscape design.

Does catnip repel ticks?

Yes, catnip (Nepeta cataria) can help repel ticks. This member of the mint family contains nepetalactone, a compound that is a highly effective natural insect repellent. Planting catnip around your yard creates an inhospitable environment for ticks and many other pests. Just be aware that it may also attract cats looking for their favorite treat.