What Plants Repel Spiders

If you’re looking for a natural way to keep spiders at bay, you might be wondering what plants repel spiders. The good news is that several common and easy-to-grow plants can help deter these eight-legged visitors from your home and garden spaces.

This approach is safe, chemical-free, and adds beauty to your surroundings. By strategically placing certain plants, you can create a pleasant barrier that spiders prefer to avoid. Let’s look at how this works and which plants are most effective.

The idea behind using plants as deterrents is based on their strong essential oils and scents. Spiders rely heavily on their sensitive sense of smell and touch to navigate. Powerful aromatic compounds from many herbs and flowers overwhelm their senses, making the area undesirable. It’s a form of natural pest control that has been used for centuries.

Remember, these plants don’t necessarily kill spiders. Instead, they encourage them to move elsewhere. This makes them a humane and eco-friendly option for managing spiders around your patio, doorways, and windows.

Top Plants to Grow for Spider Control

Here is a list of the most reliable plants known for their spider-repelling properties. Most are easy to care for and serve double duty in the kitchen or as lovely ornamentals.

Lavender: Famous for its calming scent to humans, spiders find it overpowering. Its strong aroma comes from the essential oils in its foliage and flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
Peppermint & Spearmint: The potent menthol scent is a major spider deterrent. Be cautious, as mint is invasive; it’s best grown in containers to control its spread.
Rosemary: This woody herb has a sharp, pine-like fragrance that spiders dislike. It loves sunny, dry conditions and is perfect for pots by an entryway.
Basil: Not just for pasta sauce! The strong smell of basil, especially varieties like lemon basil or cinnamon basil, can help keep spiders away. It’s an annual that enjoys warm weather and plenty of water.
Lemon Balm: A member of the mint family, it has a strong lemony scent. Like mint, it can spread quickly, so container gardening is advised.
Chrysanthemums: These flowers contain pyrethrins, a natural compound used in many insect repellents. They can deter a variety of insects, which in turn, removes the food source for spiders.
Eucalyptus: The intense, camphor-like smell of eucalyptus leaves is highly effective. In colder climates, it can be grown in pots and brought indoors for winter.
Citronella Grass (Lemongrass): Known for repelling mosquitoes, its strong citrusy odor is also unappealing to spiders. It’s a tropical plant often grown as an annual in cooler zones.

How to Use These Plants Effectively

Simply having these plants in your garden isn’t always enough. Placement is key to maximizing there spider-repelling power.

Strategic Placement Around the Home

You want to create a fragrant boundary that spiders won’t want to cross. Focus on areas where spiders might enter or where you see them most.

Place potted plants near doorways, windows, and on patios or decks.
Line walkways with lavender or rosemary bushes.
Set containers of mint or basil on your outdoor dining table to protect the area.
Grow climbing varieties like some mints near porch rails or trellises.

Creating and Using Plant Sprays

For an extra boost, you can make a simple repellent spray using the leaves of your plants.

Chop up about one cup of fresh leaves from a strong-scented plant like peppermint or rosemary.
Pour one cup of boiling water over the leaves and let it steep until it cools completely.
Strain the mixture into a spray bottle, discarding the solid leaves.
Add a teaspoon of a natural dish soap to help the spray stick to surfaces.
Lightly spray around windowsills, door frames, and other entry points. Reapply every few days or after rain.

Complementary Gardening Practices

Using repellent plants works best as part of a broader strategy. Spiders go where there food is, so managing other insects is crucial.

Reduce the Spider’s Food Source

Spiders eat other small insects. By minimizing those insects, you make your home less attractive.

Use yellow outdoor lighting instead of white, as it attracts fewer flying insects at night.
Remove standing water to prevent mosquito breeding.
Keep trash cans sealed tightly.

Remove Hiding Spots

Keep the perimeter of your home tidy. Spiders like quite, cluttered areas to build webs and hide.

Trim back plants and tree branches from touching your house’s exterior.
Clear away leaf litter, wood piles, and debris near foundations.
Regularly sweep away webs from corners, eaves, and behind shutters.

Common Questions About Repellent Plants

Do indoor spider-repellent plants work?

Yes, many of these plants can be grown indoors in sunny spots. Potted lavender, rosemary, or mint on a windowsill can help. However, their effectiveness is usually limited to the immediate area around the plant. For whole-room coverage, you might need multiple plants or to use a spray.

Are these plants safe for pets?

Most are safe, but it’s always important to check. For example, chrysanthemums can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Lemon balm and mint are generally safe, but some pets might have sensitive stomachs. Always research pet safety for each specific plant you bring home.

What if I don’t have a green thumb?

Start with the hardiest plants. Rosemary and lavender are quite drought-tolerant and forgiving. Mint is famously difficult to kill, even for beginners—just remember the container! You can also purchase essential oils from these plants to use in sprays if gardening isn’t your thing.

How long does the repellent effect last?

The living plant provides a continuous, though localized, effect. Homemade sprays from plant leaves need to be reapplied every few days, as the scent fades quickly. Commercial essential oil-based sprays may last a bit longer but still require regular application.

A Natural Path to Fewer Spiders

Using plants to repel spiders is a gentle, sustainable method that aligns with natural gardening principles. It won’t create a spider-free fortress, but it can significantly reduce there presence and make your living spaces more enjoyable. The key is consistency and combining plant barriers with good housekeeping outdoors.

By choosing a few favorites from the list—like lavender for its beauty or mint for its vigor—you can create a lovely, fragrant garden that also serves a practical purpose. Give these plants a try; you’ll appreciate the fresh aromas and the peace of mind they bring.