13 Plants That Repel Ticks

From years of experience dealing with these pesky critters, I can confidently say that the thought of a blood-sucking parasite is no mere horror movie trope — it’s a harsh reality to face. These vampiric pests, such as mosquitoes, bed bugs, and ticks, may be small, but they pack a mighty punch when it comes to spreading diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Their small size allows them to sneak onto the bodies of humans and animals undetected, where they can feast on our blood before detaching and leaving us to deal with the aftermath. It’s an unsettling scenario, but one that I’ve encountered time and time again in my line of work.

Through my years of expertise, I’ve learned that the best defense against these parasitic pests is to keep them at bay before they can even get close enough to bite. One effective strategy I’ve found is to strategically plant tick-repelling plants around your property. These natural deterrents can create a barrier, keeping these unwanted guests at a safe distance from you and your loved ones.

How Do Plants Repel Ticks?

Plants can help control ticks in two important ways:

Chemical Repellents

Let me tell you, these plants are truly nature’s little chemists. They produce an incredible array of potent chemicals that act as a natural defense system, deterring animals from taking a bite out of them. Now, while ticks may not munch on plants directly, some of these chemical compounds can work wonders in keeping those pesky arachnids at a safe distance, and are a safer option than using insecticides.

Keeping Mice and Deer Away

You know, one of the biggest secrets to the success of these tick-repelling plants is their ability to discourage the very creatures that ticks rely on for their survival. Sure, ticks will happily bite us humans given the chance, but animals like mice and deer play a crucial role in their life cycle.

These critters act as their main mode of transportation and host. By making your yard an unwelcoming environment for these furry friends, you significantly reduce the chances of ticks setting up shop in your backyard.

13 Plants That Repel Ticks

Here are the 13 best plants for getting rid of ticks for good:

Rosemary

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a very common herb used in cooking and is a powerhouse when it comes to repelling ticks. It has a beautiful, earthy smell, which indicates that the plant produces a lot of essential oils. These oils have been shown to be repellent to ticks. Additionally, deer hate rosemary, along with most herbs.

Rosemary is a pretty easy plant to grow. It’s easiest to grow it from a cutting rather than directly from seeds. Wait until the new cutting roots are in a pot indoors before transplanting outside. Rosemary is pretty hardy, so it can survive most conditions, but it prefers things hot and dry. If you’re somewhere especially cold and wet, consider keeping your rosemary in a large planter so you can move it if you need to.

Wormwood

Wormwood (Artemesia absinthium) is a bitter, perennial herb that is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in the United States (there are also many native Artemesia species that are also tick-repellent). Don’t let the name fool you – wormwood repels ticks, not worms. Artemesia plants produce tick-repellent compounds, and tick hosts like deer and mice also ignore them because of their bitter taste.

Some Artemisia species grow happily in the wild, so you may already have some around your property. If you’d like to put some in your flowerbed, it should be planted in spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.

Garlic

Garlic (Alium sativa) is a close relative of the onion and one of the most delicious plants for humans. It is also one of the smelliest plants. This makes it highly unappetizing to animal pests. Extracts from garlic have been shown in lab studies to repel ticks, and, like all smelly plants, deer can’t stand the stuff.

Garlic can be planted in the fall or the spring and is one of the easiest edible plants to grow. You can grow a whole garlic plant from a single clove from the grocery store — just plant it in a sunny location with well-drained soil and cover it in about 1–2 inches of soil (adding a layer of mulch for winter protection).

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula) is a genus of flowering plants that are close relatives of mint. They are known for their lovely purple flowers and beautiful scent. Lavender essential oil is also used as a tick repellent, so these are great tick-repelling plants to keep around.

Lavender grows in most climates, but it grows best in hot and dry places since it is native to the Mediterranean. It is best grown from a living plant, so check with your local nursery or neighbors to get some. Plant in the spring, and consider keeping it in a planter if you live somewhere with cold, wet winters.

Mint

Mint (Mentha) is a group of closely related herb species that also includes pennyroyal. As a great addition to your herb garden, they have a high concentration of essential oils, which is exactly what you want in a tick-repellent plant. This also gives them their distinctive minty scent.  

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, so it’s a great start if you’re new to gardening. Start seeds in late winter so you can plant outside in the spring. Mint will spread like wildfire, so use mulch to prevent this if you like. But if you’re trying to prevent ticks, you may want as much as you can get.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) is a group of grassy, lemon-smelling species that are a pleasant complement to lavender. This plant is also the source of citronella oil. Like any oil-rich plant, they are repulsive to tick-carrying animals and their concentrates have been shown to kill ticks. Another bonus is that lemongrass is delicious as an extra flavoring in many styles of cooking.

Lemongrass is a sub-tropical plant, so it is best kept in pots to bring in for the winter in all but the hottest, swampiest states. Other than that, it’s pretty straightforward to grow. It needs full sun, plenty of water, and well-drained soil. It’ll spread on its own, too. Make sure to fertilize with compost if you are growing it in a pot as well.

Geranium

Geraniums are a large group of flowering plants that also go by the name cranesbill. They are very beautiful, so they make a great addition to a garden. But like many beautiful things in nature, they are also highly toxic, so deer and ticks stay far away. Unfortunately, they’re also toxic for your cats and dogs, so be careful. Most animals can instinctively keep away from toxic plants, but accidents happen.

Geraniums require extra digging and pruning to maintain over the winter, so they are usually sold as annuals. This means buying new plants every year.  Plant in the spring in a spot with morning sun and afternoon partial shade.

Marigold

Marigold (Tagetes) is a group of plants that produce puffy, yellow-orange flowers. They give off a strong scent that is very repellent to ticks and mice. Deer will eat it if there’s nothing else tasty around, but don’t prefer it.

Marigolds are easy to grow from seeds or can be bought from a nursery. Marigolds are annuals, but they leave seeds behind that can overwinter and grow the next year, so sometimes they get confused for perennials. If you grow from seeds, start them about two months before the usual last frost date. Otherwise, plant in the spring in full sun.

Rue

Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a great plant for repelling pests and animals. It is an evergreen herb with lustrous, blue-green leaves. Rue is a strong disinfectant and can also be used as a flea treatment by rubbing the leaves on animal fur.

Rue can thrive even in poor soil. It needs a lot of light, but not much water. Rue is also an evergreen, so it will last through the winter. Take care when handling Rue, since the same oils that keep pests away can also cause blistering and rashes on human skin.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are the original pesticide, since one of the most common pesticides for ticks and other arthropods (permethrin) is designed to mimic the compounds naturally produced by chrysanthemums. They are certainly one of the most beautiful plants on this list, so they make a great addition to any garden.

These are hardy perennials that are most beautiful in the fall. If you’re just getting started, plant in the spring so they have time to get comfortable before the fall. Buying beautiful fall mums and trying to plant those seems easier, but planting in spring is a better long-term investment.

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a member of the mint family, known for its strong aroma and potent essential oils. These concentrated oils act as a natural repellent, making pennyroyal an effective deterrent against ticks and other pests. Like many mint varieties, pennyroyal spreads rapidly, allowing you to establish a protective barrier around your property.

To cultivate pennyroyal, start by sowing seeds indoors during late winter, and transplant the seedlings outdoors after the last frost. This hardy herb thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, and its ability to self-propagate makes sure a continuous supply of fresh, tick-repelling foliage.

Tansy

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a flowering plant that has been used for centuries as a natural insect repellent. Its distinctive aroma, attributed to the presence of compounds like camphor and thujone, is highly offensive to ticks and their animal hosts, such as deer and rodents.

Tansy is a perennial herb that can be easily propagated from seeds or root divisions. Plant it in well-drained soil and full sun exposure, and watch as it establishes itself as a reliable barrier against ticks in your outdoor spaces.

Floss Flower

The floss flower (Ageratum houstonianum) is a delightful addition to any garden, boasting vibrant purple or white blooms. Beyond its ornamental appeal, this plant carries a secret weapon against ticks: its strong, pungent aroma, which deters these unwanted pests from venturing near.

Floss flowers thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil, making them a versatile choice for various garden settings. Plant them in clusters or borders to create a natural tick-repelling barrier while enjoying their beautiful blossoms throughout the growing season.

Final Thoughts

Ticks are more than just a nuisance — they can pose serious health risks by transmitting diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. While chemical repellents are one option, incorporating tick-repelling plants into your landscape provides a natural, eco-friendly solution to keeping these pests at bay.

From fragrant herbs like rosemary, lavender, and mint to ornamental bloomers like chrysanthemums and marigolds, nature has gifted us with an array of plants that can effectively deter ticks. By strategically planting these botanical barriers around your property, you create an uninviting environment for ticks and their animal hosts, such as deer and rodents.

So why not harness the power of nature and create a tick-free haven right in your own backyard?