Ants can quickly become unwelcome visitors in your home and garden, but you don’t have to reach for harsh chemicals to keep them at bay!
Certain plants naturally repel ants with their strong scents and aromatic oils, setting up a kind of invisible barrier that messes with the pests’ ability to find their way around and communicate. These plant-based solutions are a lot safer for your family, pets, and the environment, honestly.
Growing ant-repelling plants has perks beyond just pest control. Many double as herbs for your kitchen, fragrant flowers, or just good-looking landscaping. If you’re strategic about where you put these natural deterrents, you can make your outdoor space a lot less appealing to ants while boosting your garden’s looks and usefulness.
1) Lavender
Lavender gives off a strong fragrance that ants just can’t stand. The aromatic oils from its leaves, buds, and flowers work as a natural deterrent to keep these little invaders away.
Try planting lavender near the places ants seem to sneak in most, or in garden spots where ant activity is a problem. It likes a sunny spot with good drainage. This ones practical and pretty at the same time!
2) Mint
Mint is one of the most effective plants for keeping ants out of your home and garden. Its strong scent throws off their pheromone trails, so ants have a tough time finding their way or calling for reinforcements.
Plant mint near doors or any entry points to set up a natural barrier. Or, just scatter chopped mint leaves where ants hang out, or make a spray with peppermint oil and water to hit their trails.
3) Rosemary
Rosemary’s strong scent makes it a solid natural ant deterrent outdoors. Its fragrance interferes with ants’ communication, so they’ll usually steer clear of any patch where rosemary is growing.
Stick some rosemary near entryways or in garden beds that ants seem to like. Plus, you get fresh rosemary for your cooking, which is always a win.
4) Thyme
Thyme has natural compounds (carvacrol and thymol, specifically) that are tough on ants. A 2023 study even found carvacrol works especially well against several types of ants, including fire ants.
Plant thyme around garden beds or entry points for a natural barrier. The scent from crushed leaves messes up ant trails, so they don’t stick around.
5) Marigolds
Marigolds pump out a spicy, strong fragrance that ants just don’t like. Their scent overwhelms the ants’ senses, so they’re less likely to explore or settle in those areas.
French marigolds are especially good at this, thanks to their intense aroma. Plant them as borders or in containers near places ants tend to get in.
Plus, these bright flowers bring in beneficial insects that actually eat ants, so it’s like double protection!
6) Tansy
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a perennial with golden yellow flowers and fern-like foliage. Its leaves and flowers give off a strong, camphor-like scent that ants find off-putting.
Grow tansy by entryways, inside or out, to discourage ant invasions. Just make sure it gets at least six hours of sun a day to keep those pest-repelling powers strong.
7) Garlic
Garlic’s sharp scent is a natural ant turn-off. The sulfur compounds in garlic cloves work on ants, aphids, and plenty of other unwanted bugs.
Plant garlic in well-drained soil near doors and windows for a natural barrier. It likes plenty of sun and doesn’t need much fuss once it’s going.
8) Lemongrass
Lemongrass is loaded with citronella, which throws off ants’ ability to follow scent trails. The strong aroma confuses their navigation, so they’re less likely to track down food near your place.
Put lemongrass near entryways, patios, or along garden borders. The essential oils in its leaves keep working as long as the plant stays healthy and fragrant.
9) Basil
Basil’s scent really throws ants off, scrambling their communication. Some of its essential oils are even toxic to certain ant species, so it’s both a deterrent and, sometimes, a bit more.
Grow basil in beds near your home’s entry points or keep it in pots on the patio. Besides chasing off ants, you get fresh basil for your meals. Not bad, right?
10) Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums add color to your garden and help keep ants away. These flowers have compounds that naturally repel all sorts of insects, ants included, so they’re a nice chemical-free solution.
They like full sun and well-drained soil, and they’ll bloom from late summer into fall. Pop them near patios, entryways, or garden borders where ants turn up. Their scent and bug-repelling properties help keep ant populations in check.
11) Peppermint
Peppermint is one of the best plants for keeping ants off your property. The menthol and pulegone in its oils make the area pretty unpleasant for ants, and they’ll usually steer clear.
Plant peppermint near doors, windows, and other likely entry spots. Want a little extra help? Mix peppermint oil with water and spray it around where ants show up.
12) Catnip
Catnip has an active compound called Nepeta cataria that triggers pain receptors in ants, so they tend to avoid it. When they run into this stuff, their TRPA1 pain receptors kick in and send them packing.
Try planting catnip along garden borders or near your doors. Its scent also scrambles the trails ants use to navigate, making it tough for them to get organized.
13) Geraniums
Geraniums put out aromatic oils in their leaves and flowers that naturally repel ants. The scent messes with ant communication, so they’re less likely to stick around.
Lemon-scented varieties work especially well. Plant geraniums in pots near entryways or in garden beds. They look great and keep ants at bay, making them a solid combo!
14) Rue
Rue is a perennial herb with thin, woody shoots and a strong scent that ants don’t like. Plant it near entry points or spots where ants are a problem.
Scatter rue twigs around vulnerable plants and doorways for extra effect. Its aromatic compounds confuse ant communication, so they’ll usually steer clear.
15) Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus puts out a sharp, distinctive scent that disrupts ants’ ability to follow their trails. Its essential oils are just too much for ants, they have a hard time communicating or finding their way.
Grow potted eucalyptus near entryways, windows, or patios. You can also dry the leaves and stash them in problem spots, or use eucalyptus oil around doors and windows for a little extra backup.
16) Sage
Sage gives off strong aromatic oils that keep ants, mosquitoes, and flies away. Its scent interferes with ant trails and communication.
Put sage plants near doors, windows, and other likely entry points. If you want to go all out, burn some dried sage leaves for an even stronger aroma that’ll send ants packing.
17) Fennel
Fennel’s strong, licorice-like aroma throws ants off their scent trails. Plant it near entry points or around garden beds where you’ve spotted ants.
The plant grows tall and feathery, and you can harvest the bulbs, fronds, and seeds for cooking while keeping ants away. Not a bad deal.
18) Chives
Chives have a strong scent that ants don’t care for, making them a handy natural deterrent. Plant them around other vulnerable plants to set up a little protective barrier.
They’re easy to grow and don’t need much attention. Besides repelling ants, chives can help with aphids if you put them near susceptible plants. You can grow them in beds or containers, whatever works for your space.
19) Wormwood
Wormwood has a pungent scent that naturally repels ants from your garden. This tough, low-growing herb has small flowers and an odor that ants just don’t like.
Use wormwood to protect outdoor areas without resorting to chemicals. It also keeps away fleas, flies, and moths, making it a versatile addition to your garden’s natural defenses.
20) Cinnamon plant
The cinnamon plant brings a punchy aroma that naturally keeps ants at bay. Whether you go for powder, essential oil, or just the bark, it’s pretty versatile, just scatter it around your garden or wherever those ants seem to march in.
It messes with their scent trails, so ants lose their way and can’t really coordinate like usual. Try dusting some powder around the base of your plants, or even mixing it into the soil if you’re feeling thorough.
On top of that, cinnamon’s got some antifungal tricks up its sleeve, helping shield your plants from root rot and other pesky fungal problems.
