What actually makes a plant useful?
Plants are not only beautiful, they can also be useful. But what does that actually mean? In the garden, useful usually means something different than indoors. Outside, harvest yield, bee pastures, and the interaction of plants and beneficial insects are important. Herbs and vegetables provide food, other flowers attract bees and ladybugs, which in turn keep pests in check. Indoors, the harvest aspect is usually irrelevant. Here, the benefit of a plant lies more in its appearance, indoor climate, and well-being. A houseplant fills a corner with greenery, slightly increases humidity, and creates a peaceful atmosphere.
Nevertheless, there is an overlap. Insects play a role in both cases. In the garden, plants are often intended to attract beneficial insects, such as bees or lacewings. Indoors, the opposite is often desired. Some plants deter mosquitoes, wasps, or moths rather than attracting them.
Plants as natural insect repellent
When plants are used for insect repellent, this effect almost always comes from essential oils. Substances like citronellal, geraniol, or eucalyptol emit a scent that is pleasant to us, but bothers many insects. That's why it's usually not tropical houseplants like Monstera or Philodendron that are effective here. Instead, these are Mediterranean herbs and fragrant plants that are naturally rich in these oils. Different scents are effective against different insects.
Which plant helps against mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes in the house are among the most annoying pests in summer, especially in the evening with an open window. Many therefore resort to sprays or plug-in vaporizers, but sometimes the right plant on the windowsill is enough. Among the best-known plants against mosquitoes are:
- Lemon balm
- Lemongrass
- Citronella scented geranium
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Catnip
Herbs like basil, lemon balm, lemongrass, and rosemary are excellent for the kitchen. For example, place them on the windowsill, where they get enough light and can also be used for cooking. And catnip, for example, is doubly useful, as it is also suitable for households with cats. The ingredient nepetalactone repels mosquitoes but acts like a magnet for most cats. They like to roll in it or nibble on the leaves; for them, catnip is a natural toy. A pot on the windowsill thus serves as both mosquito repellent and cat entertainment.
Which plant helps against flies?
Equally annoying, especially in summer, are flies in the house. Large flies buzz at the window, small fruit flies gather around the fruit bowl in the kitchen. Many of the herbs already mentioned work just as well against ordinary flies as they do against mosquitoes. And the same herbs are often used against fruit flies in the kitchen. Basil, mint, rosemary, and lavender also drive away flies with their intense scent. Chives, garlic, and nasturtium are also often helpful. All these plants can be easily grown as potted plants on the kitchen windowsill.
Which plant repels wasps?
Bees are welcome in the garden and on the balcony. They pollinate flowers and are important for the ecological balance. Wasps, on the other hand, tend to cause unrest at the dining table or in the house. Known plants against wasps are:
- Lavender
- Scented geranium
- Mint
- Lemon balm
- Chrysanthemum
Here too, it is the essential oils that spoil the wasps' stay. The intense scent masks the odors that wasps use to orient themselves, so they prefer to give the plant a wide berth. The most effective place for the pots is where wasps usually enter, i.e., on the balcony, terrace, or directly on the windowsill.
Which plant protects against moths?
Moths usually appear in the home in two places: in the wardrobe as clothes moths or in the pantry as pantry moths. Here too, the scents of certain plants can be effective. Useful plants against moths are:
- Lavender
- Bay laurel
- Cloves
- Sweet Woodruff
- Rosemary
Unlike with mosquitoes and wasps, these plants are usually used dried here. A living plant would not survive in a dark closet anyway. Dried lavender blossoms, bay leaves, cloves, or sweet woodruff are therefore placed as small bouquets or in fabric sachets between clothes or on the pantry shelf. The intense scent of the oils contained in the plants protects against moths without the use of chemicals.
Air purification: Useful plants for the indoor climate
When talking about useful plants for the home, the focus is also usually on a healthy indoor climate. Tropical plants like the Pothos, Snake Plant, Anthurium, or Monstera can also contribute here. These plants are attributed air-purifying properties. You can find more information and tips for a sensible selection for your home in our article: Air-purifying plants: The green solution for clean indoor air.
Combining decorative and useful plants
Almost every houseplant creates a pleasant atmosphere. Targeted protection against mosquitoes, wasps, and moths, however, remains a matter for certain fragrant plants like lavender, citronella geranium, or catnip. Both can be easily combined in the home. A large Monstera or a climbing Philodendron form the optical anchor in the room, while a pot of lavender or catnip on the windowsill takes care of the practical part. This way, you get the best of both worlds: decorative statement plants and functional insect repellent in one home.
