Plants That Repel Grasshoppers

If you’re tired of seeing your garden turn into a grasshopper buffet, you’re not alone. Finding plants that repel grasshoppers can be a natural and effective way to protect your hard work. These insects can quickly decimate your vegetables and flowers, but you don’t need harsh chemicals to fight back. By adding specific plants to your garden layout, you can create a beautiful and pest-deterring space.

This approach is called companion planting. It’s a method where certain plants are grown together to provide mutual benefits. In this case, the strong scents or tastes of these plants act as a natural deterrent. Grasshoppers rely heavily on their sense of smell to find food, and powerful aromas can confuse and repel them. Let’s look at the best plants to add to your garden for this purpose.

Herbs with Strong Scents

Herbs are fantastic for cooking and for keeping pests away. Their potent oils are what makes them so effective. Plant these around the border of your garden or intermingled with your vegetables.

Cilantro (Coriander): This herb gives off a strong scent that grasshoppers and other pests find unpleasant. It’s easy to grow and bolts quickly in heat, so succession planting is a good idea.
Garlic: Planting garlic around your garden is a classic pest-control tactic. The sulfur compounds in garlic are a major turn-off for many insects, including grasshoppers.
Dill: While dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, its fragrance seems to deter grasshoppers. It’s a win-win for your garden’s ecosystem.
Lemongrass: Containing high levels of citronella, lemongrass is a powerful repellent. It’s also a perennial in warmer climates, providing year-round protection.

Flowers That Deter Pests

Don’t underestimate the power of flowers. Many are not just pretty—they’re practical defenders. They can also attract predators that eat grasshoppers, like birds and spiders.

Calendula (Pot Marigold): The sticky resin on calendula stems and leaves can trap small insects. Their pungent smell is also known to repel larger pests like grasshoppers and tomato hornworms.
Daisy Varieties: Flowers like gerbera daisies have dense centers that can be tricky for insects to navigate. They add a bright pop of color while contributing to a pest-resistant environment.
Larkspur: This annual flower is toxic to many insects if ingested. Grasshoppers tend to avoid it, making it a useful protective border plant.
Forsythia: While not a flower you’d plant en masse, the branches of this shrub can be used as a barrier. Some gardeners find that placing cut forsythia branches around plants offers some protection.

Vegetables and Other Plants

Some plants you might grow for food also have repellent properties. Integrating these into your beds makes smart use of space.

Tomatoes: The alkaloids in tomato leaves, which give them their distinctive smell, are unappealing to grasshoppers. Using tomato leaf spray is also a common homemade repellent.
Peas and Beans: These legumes can help indirectly. They fix nitrogen in the soil, creating healthier, stronger plants that are more resilient to pest damage, even if they aren’t directly repulsive.
Squash and Cucumbers: The rough, hairy leaves of squash and cucumber vines can be a physical deterrent to some grasshoppers, who prefer smoother foliage.

How to Use These Plants Effectively

Just planting one cilantro plant won’t save your entire garden. You need a strategic plan. Here are some steps to follow for the best results.

Step 1: Create Protective Borders

Plant a dense border of repellent herbs and flowers around the entire perimeter of your garden. This creates the first line of defense. Think of it like a fragrant wall that grasshoppers are reluctant to cross.

Step 2: Interplant Throughout Your Beds

Don’t group all your deterrent plants on the edges. Mix them in among your susceptible plants. For example, plant garlic between your lettuce rows, or place calendula next to your beans. This breaks up scent trails and confuses pests.

Step 3: Encourage Natural Predators

Plants that attract birds, frogs, and beneficial insects are crucial. Sunflowers, for instance, attract birds that will eat grasshoppers. A small bird bath or a toad house can invite these natural hunters to stay in your garden.

Step 4: Maintain Plant Health

A stressed plant is more suseptible to pest damage. Ensure your plants are well-watered and receive the right nutrients. Healthy plants can better withstand the occasional pest visit.

Step 5: Use Plant-Based Sprays

If an infestation is beginning, you can make a spray from your repellent plants. Here’s a simple recipe:

Chop up a cup of garlic cloves, hot peppers, or tomato leaves.
Soak them in a quart of water for 24 hours.
Strain the mixture and add a teaspoon of mild liquid soap (this helps the spray stick to leaves).
Spray the mixture directly on plant leaves, especially the undersides. Reapply after rain.

Plants to Avoid

Just as some plants repel grasshoppers, others attract them. If you have a major grasshopper problem, you might want to limit these or grow them in a separate area.

Grasses (including corn, which is in the grass family)
Alfalfa
Clover
Lettuce and other tender leafy greens

Frequently Asked Questions

What smell do grasshoppers hate the most?

Grasshoppers strongly dislike the smell of garlic, cilantro, and calendula. These are some of the most effective aromatic deterrents.

Will marigolds keep grasshoppers away?

Yes, particularly pot marigolds (calendula). Their strong scent and sticky stems can deter grasshoppers and trap smaller pests.

What is a natural predator for grasshoppers?

Birds, spiders, praying mantises, and some wasp species are all natural predators. Encouraging these creatures in your garden provides long-term pest control.

How do I protect my garden from grasshoppers naturally?

Use a combination of strategies: plant fragrant repellent herbs and flowers, encourage predators, use floating row covers on young plants, and consider applying diatomaceous earth around plant bases.

Building a garden with plants that repel grasshoppers takes a bit of planning, but the rewards are worth it. You’ll create a diverse, resilient, and beautiful ecosystem. Your garden will be less reliant on interventions, and you’ll enjoy a healthier harvest. Remember, consistency is key—the more you integrate these plants and methods, the better your results will be each season.