Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Zones: 2–11 Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Zones: 3–10 Buy It: Spearmint Plant 2-Pack ($13, The Home Depot) Special Note: Test for any allergy first by rubbing the leaves on a quarter-size patch of skin on your inner forearm. If after a day or so there’s no irritated reaction, it’s likely safe for you to rub away. Growing Conditions: Full sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 4 feet tall Zones: 9–11 Buy It: 4-Pack Lemongrass ($30, The Home Depot) Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil; tolerates drought Size: Up to 3 feet tall, depending on variety Zones: 5–10 Buy It: Super Blue Lavender ($11, Walmart) Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil; tolerates drought Size: Up to 12 inches tall Zones: 5–8 Buy It: 2-Pack English Thyme ($14, Lowe’s) Growing Conditions: Full sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 18 inches tall Zones: 4–9 Growing Conditions: Full sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 3 feet tall Zones: 3–9 Buy It: 2-Pack Catnip ($16, Lowe’s)
Go weed-free. Weeds create food and shelter for bad bugs, as well as robbing nutrients and water from good plants. Promote healthy plants. Plant the right plant in the right place to encourage healthy, strong growth that naturally wards off diseases and insects. Mulch. A two-inch-thick layer of mulch suppresses weeds and prevents soil moisture loss, creating a healthy growing zone. Search for pest-resistant varieties. Some plant varieties are known to be more resistant to pests than others. Search out plants that have the most insect-repelling qualities. Eliminate standing water. Standing water invites unwanted pests, especially mosquitoes, which can breed in just 48 hours in very small amounts of stagnant water.
