Spiders - you either love them or hate them. There are quite a few arachnophiles out there, but personally, I try to stay miles away from all creepy crawlies.
Well, at least I managed to for years, until I suddenly saw spiders nestling under my bathroom sink and then around the storage closet. I figured that's where they came from because it's been months since I cleaned the attic.
I wouldn't say I hate spiders, but I'm not a big fan of them either. So, I started looking for humane and cruelty-free options to drive them out of my home. That's when I came across an interesting article that talked about spider repellent plants.
Hi! I'm Stacy, and today I'm going to tell you about my experience with spider repellent plants. If you're facing the same issue that I did, I highly recommend opting for this cruelty-free measure that will get rid of them while adding aesthetic value to your home.
So, without further ado, let's begin!
Spider Repellent Plants
1. Peppermint
This intriguing plant is a mix of two plants - spearmint and water mint. As a child, I loved peppermint flavored candies, so when I found out that this plant repels spiders, I was overjoyed! First things first, I got myself some lovely pots where I would plant my new addition.
Once I had my pots, I purchased just a couple of peppermint plants. They smelled heavenly and made me nostalgic. However, I was curious to see how my spider buddies would react to them.
I placed the first plant on my bathroom window sill and the second one under the sink. Voila! My bathroom smells like Charlie's Chocolate Factory, and the spiders effectively moved out within three days.
2. Eucalyptus
Once I saw the peppermint plant doing its magic in the bathroom, I decided to explore a few more plant species for my entire home. This way, I could redecorate while efficiently driving out the spiders without killing them.
I went ahead and purchased a Eucalyptus plant to decorate outside my main door. That's when I realized that this plant does much more than getting rid of spiders. The strong smell of Eucalyptus effectively deterred mosquitoes from entering too, which was a bonus! I highly recommend getting a Eucalyptus for your home if you face similar issues.
3. Lavender
Next on my list was a bright, beautiful plant that would add aesthetic value to my living room. I walked over to the flower shop and spoke to the nice salesgirl at length about my issue. She recommended getting Lavenders and I was convinced because their beautiful, purple shade would look lovely against my neutral walls while also hopefully driving the spiders away.
Well, it worked! But more importantly, I love the fresh scents drifting through the rooms with the addition of this plant. Apparently, the scent is only favorable to humans - spiders seem to hate it.
4. Basil
Honestly, I loved how my new plants were sprucing up my home, and I couldn't wait to add a few more. It didn't take long to find the perfect spider repellent plant for my kitchen - Basil.
I was aware that these plants needed adequate sunlight to thrive, so I placed the pot on my window sill. Not only are these plants extremely easy to care for, but they also have medicinal properties. I often pick a couple of fresh leaves to put in my meals, which is a bonus of having them in my kitchen.
Pro Tip - Tear off a couple of basil leaves to extract their oils, and mix it in a spray bottle containing some vodka. This works incredibly as a spider repellent while adding a pleasant scent to your home.
5. Rosemary
I don't consider myself a master chef, but I do know a few things about the culinary world. My extent of knowledge tells me that Rosemary added in roast and grilled dishes adds flavor and aesthetics. However, I wasn't aware that these plants also work well in repelling spiders. That is, until my son, who also loves gardening, told me about it!
Fortunately, I already planted some fresh Rosemary seeds in my garden a few months ago. In case you didn't know this - Rosemary is one of those plants that propagate well from cuttings. So, that's what I did. Safe to say, their strong scent effectively kept spiders away. Another safe-zone marked!
6. Lemon Balm
I'm quite the tea-drinker myself, and I take an active interest in seeking out new and exciting flavors. I have tried Lemon Balm herbal tea a few times and enjoyed it. Again, I wasn't aware of its multifunctional use as a spider repellant.
When looking up the health benefits of Lemon Balm online, I was surprised to see it being recommended as a spider repellant plant. So, without procrastinating, I went out and bought one of these for my patio.
As advised, I placed them in well-draining soil and pruned the flower buds as soon as I saw them. Apparently, the flowers cause the plant to lose its aromatic property - which is precisely what keeps small insects and flies away. Since these little critters are essentially spider-food, I eventually noticed the spiders disappearing due to their lack.
7. Citronella
You may have heard of Citronella by its other name - Lemongrass. Lemongrass oil has several medicinal properties, but more importantly, its strong smell works magically to drive spiders and insects out.
Moreover, these plants have acidic leaves, which spiders cannot tolerate. The best part about having these plants in my home is making aromatic Citronella oil from their extracts. I usually mix this oil with my homemade DIY all-purpose cleaning solutions. Not only are they excellent in repelling odors, but they also repel insects.
8. Lemon Verbena
An intriguing plant I came across when I visited the Farmer's Market was the Lemon Verbena. These perennial plants can grow up to 3 meters tall and are often used as a seasoning for fish and other continental dishes. I remember pinching one of the leaves ever so slightly when the air was instantly filled with the plant's strong, fresh smell.
The kind gentlemen selling the plants explained how the Lemon Verbena tends to emit a strong smell even if it is bruised slightly. That's when I told him about my spider issue at home, and he recommended it.
Needless to say, I purchased one and set it up near the backdoor entrance of my home. I loved the fresh fragrance that accompanied it, and I could clearly see that the spiders did not love it as much. Within a few days, the spiders lurking around the back door and the garden area started disappearing too.
9. Mint
I probably don't need to tell you why mint works so wonderfully in driving away spiders - it's an aromatic plant. However, I must warn you - it is also extremely invasive. So, if you're planning on planting it in the garden, make sure you keep it in a container. Otherwise, you'll soon find dozens of tiny mint leaves cropping up all over!
Personally, I love all kinds of mint plants. The fact that it is so aromatic and has several other uses makes it one of my favorites. Of course, being so intensely aromatic, it helps in repelling spiders and other critters, which is excellent.
10. Chrysanthemums
Most people know this plant by its more commonly used name - “Mums.” Well, did you know that not only are these some of the most popular gift-giving plants, but they are also used in pesticides?
Pyrethrins, which is a common insect-repelling compound, is found abundantly in Chrysanthemums. However, unlike Lemon Balm, the “Mum” flowers are what drive spiders away and not the plants themselves.
It all worked out for the best because I adore having these brightly colored flowers decorated around my home. I had to find the perfect spot for them that wasn't too bright and sunny but received an adequate amount of indirect sunlight.
Pro Tip - If some of your Chrysanthemum flowers seem like they are about to die, it is advisable to prune them and encourage the growth of new ones.11. Dill
Yet another plant often used in culinary creations, Dill. Not many people are aware of the plant's spider repelling properties. Even though Dill is not as aromatic as the other plants on my list, it works excellently to drive away small insects and spiders.
I had been planning to grow a little herb garden in my kitchen. With the onset of the spider intrusion in my home, I finally got around to doing it. Now, my little herb garden consists of Mint, Rosemary, Basil, and Dill.
Honestly, I love the addition of these new plants to my home. In a very ironic way, the spider intrusion nudged me to expand my love for gardening and redecorate my home with these beautiful plants.
12. Marigold
The weekend after Thanksgiving, my neighbor, Angie's children came to visit her. They were so polite and courteous - they even got me a beautiful bunch of marigolds! With much haste, I planted them in my garden, hoping they would survive. Well, they did, and how they bloomed!
It was during dinner that night that I brought up the spider issue I was facing at home. That's when one of her kids told me about the magical spider-repellent properties of marigold. You can imagine my excitement at this coincidence!
To be sure, I kept a close eye on the blooming marigolds over the next couple of weeks. Needless to say, they worked wonderfully in keeping spiders away. It seemed like spiders could not tolerate the lovely, fresh scent of most of these aromatic plants. Well, it works out well for me!
13. Onions
After exploring so many aromatic plants, it should've come as no surprise that onions work excellently as spider repellants. As it turns out, I had purchased a few bags of onion seeds from the friendly man at the farmers’ market but had completely forgotten about them until then.
Without wasting any time, I planted the seeds and waited patiently. Well, it didn't take long; the seeds germinated within eight days. Fortunately, I have nitrogen-rich soil in my garden, which is excellent for onions. I also found a great spot where the plants could grow without being shaded by others (this can deter their growth).
If you plan on planting onions, make sure they are planted in well-draining soil and aren't shaded by other plants. This will allow them to thrive. Moreover, onions are hardy plants that grow well in winters. And best of all - spiders cannot stand them.
14. Dwarf Citrus Tree
For my final spider repelling plant, I want to talk about the Dwarf Citrus Tree. I happened to come across this recommendation while exploring gardening websites online. Although I haven't planted one in my garden, I read glowing recommendations about this lovely dwarf plant.
Fortunately, this is one of the few trees you can grow indoors, as they never grow more than a few feet tall. The secret to growing these plants well is to provide them with plentiful sunlight. Their strong scent will effectively keep spiders away as you enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Final Words
While I appreciate that spiders are a necessary evil for the environment, I certainly don't want them around my house.
If you feel the same way, trust me, I understand why you would want to get rid of them. Fortunately, I found an incredibly humane way to do this without feeling guilty. I hope my guide helped you understand more about the various plants that repel spiders and maybe help you decide which one to opt for.
Let me know if you use any other methods to get rid of spiders from your home. Leave a comment below, and keep checking my guides for more helpful content.
Until next time!