If the sight of a spider skittering across your floor makes your skin crawl, you’re not alone. While most spiders aren’t dangerous, it’s still unsettling to find them creeping around your living space.
Luckily, there’s a natural and beautiful way to send them packing herbs. These 7 fragrant herbs aren’t just lovely in the garden or kitchen, they also double as powerful, plant-based spider deterrents.
You can grow them in small pots, windowsills, or containers on the balcony. They help freshen the air, flavor your meals, and gently keep spiders out no chemicals needed.
If you’ve been searching for a pet-safe and easy method to keep arachnids at bay, this list is worth exploring.
#1 Peppermint
Source: Gardeningknowhow
Spiders can’t handle the strong, menthol-like scent of peppermint. This fast-growing herb contains pulegone, a natural compound that works like a botanical insect repellent.
Its crisp aroma is refreshing to you, but overwhelming for tiny invaders. You can grow peppermint in pots to control its spread and place them near entryways or windows.
Crushed leaves release more of its oils, so rubbing them around door frames gives extra protection. Regular watering and a few hours of sunlight a day will keep your plant happy and full.
#2 Lemon Balm
Source: Thespruce
Lemon balm brings a soft citrus scent to your home while quietly keeping spiders out. Though it belongs to the mint family, it has a gentler smell that still does the job.
It thrives in partial sunlight and moist, well-drained soil, making it great for shaded balconies or kitchen counters. The leaves contain compounds that deter many insects, including spiders.
You’ll also love how it draws pollinators like bees when grown outdoors. A few sprigs in a vase or tucked near windows can offer both scent and protection.
#3 Dill
Source: Tavicohome
Dill isn’t just for pickles; it’s also a great companion if you’d rather not share your home with spiders. Its feathery leaves and strong aroma can disrupt the senses of many crawling pests.
Dill prefers full sun and light, well-drained soil, so a sunny balcony or windowsill is perfect. Harvesting it regularly keeps the plant productive and helps release its natural oils.
While it adds flavor to meals, its presence alone can discourage spiders from settling nearby.
#4 Lemon Verbena
Source: Growjoy
Lemon verbena smells amazing when you brush past it, and that’s exactly why spiders steer clear. The oils released from its leaves are especially potent when bruised, sending a powerful message to unwanted bugs.
It likes warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and regular watering without soggy roots. This herb grows well in pots, so it’s a lovely choice for patios or near open windows.
You can even dry the leaves for tea while enjoying a bug-free breeze indoors.
#5 Lemon Grass
Source: Gardeningknowhow
Lemongrass contains citronella oil, which is widely known to repel insects, spiders included. Its sharp, citrus scent is pleasant for people but acts as a clear “no entry” sign for pests.
This tall, grassy herb thrives in warm weather and full sun, so a sunny balcony is ideal. Plant it in large containers with good drainage and water it often during the growing season.
Even a few stalks can help guard your outdoor sitting area or kitchen garden.
#6 Basil
Source: Farmersalmanac
Basil isn’t just delicious, it also has insect-repelling qualities that help keep spiders and flies away. When grown in pots near windows, it quietly works in the background to protect your home.
A homemade spray using basil leaves steeped in water and vodka can be spritzed around doorways or baseboards. Basil prefers full sunlight and rich, moist soil with good drainage.
It’s a practical, multipurpose herb that fits well in any kitchen or patio garden.
#7 Lavender
Source: Gardendesign
Lavender offers a soft, floral fragrance that relaxes you while driving spiders far away. Its calming oils are unpleasant to many pests, making it a natural line of defense.
It thrives in full sunlight and well-drained soil, and it doesn’t mind drier conditions. A potted lavender plant near entry points or open windows adds both charm and protection.
You can also dry the flowers and tuck them into small sachets to keep closets or drawers pest-free.
