If you’ve been spotting spiders around your bathroom, kitchen, or living room, you’re not alone. These eight-legged guests become more noticeable during mating season, and it can feel unsettling to find them creeping indoors.
The good news is that you don’t need harsh chemicals to keep them away. Several indoor plants can repel spiders naturally, while also deterring mosquitoes, flies, and other pests.
Many of these plants smell amazing to us but are unbearable for bugs, making them a safe and stylish solution. Grow a few of these in your home, and you’ll enjoy fresh scents, green beauty, and fewer creepy-crawlies.
#1 Citronella
Citronella is famous for its fresh, lemony fragrance that bugs can’t stand. While people love its clean aroma, it’s highly effective at deterring spiders, mosquitoes, and flies.
You can grow it in pots near windows or doorways to keep pests from sneaking inside. The plant thrives in bright light and well-drained soil, making it easy to care for.
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and prune regularly to encourage bushy growth. With citronella indoors, you’ll create a pleasant atmosphere that doubles as natural protection.
#2 Lavender
Lavender brings more than just beauty with its purple blooms and calming scent. Its natural oils repel spiders, moths, and mosquitoes, making it a fantastic indoor companion. Place pots near sunny windows to give the plant the light it loves.
Water sparingly, since lavender doesn’t like sitting in damp soil. You can also dry its flowers and place them in sachets around your home to extend its pest-repelling power.
Growing lavender indoors not only keeps pests away but also helps you relax with its soothing aroma.
#3 Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are bright, cheerful flowers that pack a hidden punch against insects. They contain pyrethrins, natural compounds often used in organic pesticides.
Spiders, ants, and roaches find their scent intolerable, so keeping them indoors reduces unwanted visitors. The plants thrive in sunny spots with regular watering, but let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowers and extend their pest-fighting benefits. With chrysanthemums, you’ll enjoy a splash of color while guarding your home naturally.
#4 Basil
Basil is more than a kitchen staple, it’s also a natural insect repellent. Its strong aroma drives away flies, mosquitoes, and spiders, making it a multitasking indoor plant. Place it in a bright spot, such as a sunny kitchen window, for steady growth.
Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged, and pinch off the tips to encourage fuller plants. You can harvest leaves for cooking while enjoying their pest-repelling properties. Growing basil gives you fresh flavor and fewer bugs at the same time.
#5 Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm belongs to the mint family and carries a refreshing citrusy scent that pests dislike. Its leaves are often used in teas, but the fragrance also keeps fruit flies and spiders at bay.
The plant grows best in indirect sunlight and slightly moist soil. You can snip fresh leaves for herbal drinks or dry them for long-term use.
Since it spreads quickly, trimming it back will help control its size indoors. With lemon balm, you’ll get both a natural repellent and a soothing tea ingredient.
#6 Peppermint
Peppermint is a bold, refreshing herb that doubles as a powerful insect deterrent. Its strong menthol scent is overwhelming for spiders and other pests, sending them scurrying away.
Grow it in pots with moist soil and give it partial sunlight for healthy growth. You can even crush fresh leaves to release extra fragrance and boost its effectiveness.
Peppermint also makes a great addition to teas, desserts, or fresh garnishes. With this plant indoors, you’ll enjoy a lively scent and a natural way to stay pest-free.