Flies can be relentless in homes and gardens, especially when the weather heats up. Chemical repellents are out there, but honestly, a lot of folks would rather skip the harsh stuff. Thankfully, if you pick the right plants, you’ve got a natural option.
Certain plants possess natural compounds that effectively repel flies, providing an eco-friendly solution for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Some are just kitchen staples, others are beautiful flowers, and most do double duty; fragrance, flavor, or just a prettier garden!
This guide breaks down twenty plants with fly-repelling properties. Whether you’ve got a sunny windowsill or a shady backyard nook, there’s probably something here that’ll work for your setup.
1) Basil
Basil naturally keeps flies away thanks to compounds like estragole, citronellal, and limonene. They mess with flies’ ability to sniff out carbon dioxide, making basil a pretty handy shield.
Stick basil plants near doors, patios, or wherever you eat outside. Genovese, Thai, Lemon Basil, they’re all good choices for this purpose.
Plus, when you brush against the leaves, basil releases a pleasant aroma that’s great for people but not so much for flies or mosquitoes.
2) Mint
Mint’s strong menthol scent overwhelms flies’ senses, so they’ll steer clear. Try planting peppermint or spearmint by your entryways or around outdoor seating.
Mint grows like crazy, so keep it trimmed unless you want it everywhere. Crushing fresh mint leaves releases even more of that fly-repelling oil.
3) Lavender
Lavender is a classic and luckily its aromatic compounds are also tough on flies! The purple flowers smell amazing to us, but flies can’t stand them.
Grow lavender in your garden to keep flies off patios and decks, or use dried bundles inside near windows. It’s pretty low maintenance, as long as it gets enough sun and the soil drains well.
4) Rosemary
Rosemary’s loaded with camphor and cineole, which flies really don’t like. Grow it outside or keep pots near where you hang out, as flies usually avoid those spots if rosemary’s around.
This herb loves full sun and doesn’t ask for much. Its strong scent also helps with other pests, not just flies.
5) Marigold
Marigolds have a pungent smell that’s a real turnoff for flies and other bugs. Their bright blooms do double duty: they repel pests and attract good pollinators like bees.
French marigolds are great alongside veggies, while African marigolds are taller and just as effective. Plant them along paths or by doors where flies hang out most.
6) Carnivorous Venus Flytrap
The Venus flytrap doesn’t just repel, it eats flies! When a fly lands inside and touches the tiny hairs, the trap snaps shut and the plant gets a meal.
These carnivorous plants lure flies with nectar, then snap their jaw-like leaves closed. Just remember: Venus flytraps need humidity and the right soil, so they’re a bit fussy.
7) Lemon Balm
Lemon balm gives off a fresh, lemony scent that drives flies away. It’s part of the mint family, easy to grow, and works in pots or in the ground.
Stick it by patios or porches to keep flies from bothering you outside. Bonus: it brings in helpful insects but keeps out the annoying ones like gnats and ants.
8) Catnip
Catnip’s got nepetalactone, which repels flies and a bunch of other bugs. Plant it around your patio or yard for a natural barrier.
The essential oils in catnip can put off up to 79% of houseflies. For more punch, rub the leaves now and then to release more of that scent.
9) Bay Leaf
Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) is an evergreen with aromatic leaves that flies really dislike. Grow it indoors in a sunny spot or outside if your climate allows.
Put fresh or dried bay leaves near windows, doors, or food storage, anywhere flies show up. A handful works better than just one or two.
Besides flies, bay leaves help with moths and other bugs, so it’s a pretty handy plant to have around.
10) Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus smells strong and fresh, and flies hate it. The leaves have eucalyptol, which makes up most of eucalyptus oil and does a good job keeping flying pests away.
Stick fresh eucalyptus branches in vases near doors and windows. That scent is enough to make flies look elsewhere.
Potted eucalyptus works for indoors, too. Hanging dried branches in fly-prone spots lasts a while and keeps the bugs down.
11) Citronella
Citronella’s famous as a natural insect repellent, coming from tall grasses like Cymbopogon nardus. Its oils mask the smells that attract flies, so they can’t find you as easily.
Grow citronella in pots or garden beds to help cut down on flies and mosquitoes. It’s best known for fighting off mosquitoes, but it does a decent job with flies too.
12) Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums have pyrethrin, a natural fly repellent that’s actually used in many insecticides. The flowers look great and pull double duty.
Plant mums near entries or windows to block flies from coming inside. They also help with ants, ticks, fleas, and beetles; plus, they’re a garden classic for fall color.
13) Peppermint
Peppermint’s menthol is a turnoff for flies. Plant it outside or keep containers near doors for a natural barrier.
Peppermint works indoors or out, and you can even make a spray from the essential oil if you want extra coverage.
Spearmint and chocolate mint have similar effects. Peppermint is low-fuss and grows in lots of spots.
14) Scented Geranium
Scented geraniums put out natural fragrances that flies don’t like. Unlike regular geraniums, these Pelargonium types have aromatic oils in their leaves.
Citronella and lemon-scented ones are especially good. Place potted scented geraniums near outdoor tables, doors, or windows. Touching the leaves releases even more scent, so don’t be afraid to brush by them.
15) Thyme
Thyme is a fragrant herb that puts flies off with its essential oils. Thymol, in particular, is something insects just don’t like.
Grow thyme as a ground cover or in pots near where you sit outside. Common, lemon, and creeping thyme all work and you get a bonus for your kitchen.
16) Rue
Rue is a Mediterranean perennial with a strong scent that flies avoid. Its rue oil and coumarin do the trick, and you don’t need chemical sprays.
Grow rue as an organic alternative to chemical fly control. It likes well-drained soil and sun, so it’s easy to add to most gardens.
17) Tansy
Tansy’s yellow button flowers and aromatic, ferny leaves keep flies at bay. The essential oils in the leaves are what does it, making tansy a good option for garden borders.
Plant tansy near doors or patios where flies are a problem. Once it’s established, it basically takes care of itself and likes a sunny, well-drained spot.
18) Horsemint
Horsemint smells minty and strong and flies don’t care for it. Plant it along garden borders or in pots where flies are an issue.
This hardy perennial can handle different soils and isn’t much work. Crushing the leaves brings out more of its natural oils, boosting the effect.
You can also dry horsemint leaves and stash them in sachets near doors or windows. The purple flowers are a nice touch and bring in helpful pollinators.
19) Bupleurum
Bupleurum might not be a household name, but this herbaceous plant can help keep flies out of your garden. It has yellow-green flowers and produces natural compounds that flying insects dislike.
Plant bupleurum in borders or containers near patios and entryways. It does well in well-drained soil and partial shade, and its foliage adds something different to the garden while helping keep flies away.
20) Fennel
Fennel works as a surprisingly effective fly deterrent and, honestly, it’s just a nice addition to any garden. The herb gives off a strong, almost licorice-like scent that flies really don’t care for, so it helps keep them from hanging around your outdoor spaces.
If you tuck fennel in near veggies like lettuce or cabbage, you’ll get another bonus. The flowers draw in helpful insects who go after the pests you actually want gone.
