Fragrant and visually attractive ground covers that naturally ward off unpleasant ticks, providing a beneficial solution for homeowners while remaining hostile to harmful pests.
Natural Tick-Repellent Ground Covers: A Gardener's Guide
Are you tired of dealing with pesky ticks in your garden? Look no further! We've compiled a list of ground cover plants that not only beautify your outdoor space but also act as natural tick repellents.
Wormwood (Artemisia)
Known for its silver foliage, Wormwood is a standout choice for tick-repellent ground covers. This plant contains absinthin, a bitter compound that deters ticks, mosquitoes, and wasps. Wormwood thrives in sunny, well-draining soil and grows up to 3-4 feet tall, making it a heat- and pest-resistant ground cover suitable for zones 4-9.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
Pennyroyal, a creeping mint-family plant, is another effective tick repellent. It emits pulegone, a neurological toxin for ticks, causing them to avoid areas where it grows. Although it prefers full sun and moist soil, it can be aggressive, so monitor its spread carefully.
Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus)
Famous for repelling mosquitoes, Citronella also deters ticks by masking scents and emitting β-citronellol. It is drought-tolerant, loves full sun, and works well as a perennial in USDA Zones 9–11 or annual elsewhere.
Geranium (Pelargonium)
Geraniums contain (-)-10-epi-γ-eudesmol, a compound that strongly repels ticks. While it needs about six hours of sunlight daily, it adds colour to your garden while keeping ticks at bay. However, be aware that Geraniums are toxic to cats and dogs, so plant accordingly.
Other notable tick-repellent plants include rosemary, thyme, mint, and chrysanthemums, which contain pyrethrum, a natural insecticide effective against ticks.
Catmint (Nepeta cataria)
Catmint, a flowering ground cover plant, is another effective tick repellent. It can be planted down to zone 3, ideally in sunny spots and free-draining soil.
Santolina
Santolina, a drought-tolerant flowering perennial, is one of the best choices for tick-repellent ground covers. During summer, it produces silver foliage complemented by yellow blooms. Santolina can be grown from zone 6 and is suitable for sunny spots with free-draining soil.
Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)
Society garlic is a good option for keeping ticks at bay, as it produces a strong aroma that ticks hate. It thrives in sunny spots and free-draining soil down to zone 5.
Lavender
Lavender, considered one of the easiest ground cover plants to grow, even in poor soils, is also a useful plant to grow in regions with high pest populations. French lavender, Lavendula stoechas, and English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, are lavender varieties that offer remarkable floral scent and are effective tick repellents. Lavender thrives in sunny spots and free-draining soil down to zone 5.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serphyllum)
Creeping thyme is a pet-friendly ground cover plant that contains thymol and carvacrol, known to repel ticks and other irritating pests. However, it's not suitable for high traffic areas as it cannot be walked on easily.
These plants repel ticks primarily via their strong aromatic compounds that disrupt tick sensory cues or act as toxins to them, making your yard less hospitable to these pests. For best effectiveness, plant these in sunny, well-maintained areas and manage lawn height and brush to further reduce tick habitats.
Cautions: Pennyroyal can be invasive and toxic if misused. Geraniums are harmful to pets. Always consider local growing conditions and environmental impact before planting.
By incorporating these natural tick-repellent plants into your garden, you can create a beautiful and pest-free outdoor space. Happy gardening!
Add these plants to your home-and-garden, and enhance your lifestyle with a tick-free garden. By cultivating Wormwood, Pennyroyal, Citronella, Geranium, Catmint, Santolina, Society Garlic, Lavender, and Creeping Thyme, you'll not only transform your home-and-garden into a captivating outdoor haven but also protect yourself from pesky ticks.
