Spiders are creepy crawly arachnids that many don't want to contend with when relaxing in the garden. Before you decide to deter them from your yard, remember that they can be beneficial. Spiders eat other insects like mosquitoes, wasps, and beetles. So, if you can't stand the buzz of mosquitoes more than you dislike spiders, you may want to keep them around.

However, if you find that spiders are more of a nuisance than a benefit, it is time to eliminate them. Discover six plants that naturally repel spiders, so you can deter them from your garden without using pesticides.

1. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm foliage from above
Image Credit: Maky_Orel via Pixabay

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has a potent lemon aroma that is delightful in a garden. However, spiders don't usually feel the same way. The same strong fragrance that uplifts your herb garden with its refreshing scent is excellent at keeping spiders away. They typically can't stand the bold lemon, citrus scent. Plus, lemon balm also naturally contains methyl eugenol, a plant-based insecticide commonly included in insect repellents.

Provide your lemon balm with at least two hours of daily sunshine, neutral to acidic soils with a pH of under 6 to 8, and cultivate it as a perennial in zones 3 to 7.

2. Basil

Basil plant growing in a container
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Basil (Ocimum basilicum) isn't just for cooking. It is also excellent at repelling spiders because, like lemon balm, it contains methyl eugenol. Eugenol is a component in the essential oils of several other plants, including citronella, cloves, and cinnamon. It is highly aromatic and acts as a botanical insecticide that you can also use to deter aphids, beetles, and mites.

For a healthy plant, cultivate basil, where it gets around two to six hours of sun every day (though it prefers more than less) in soils with a pH of 6 to 7, and irrigate to keep the soil moist. If you are growing basil in a container, let the water run freely through the soil until it drips out of the drainage holes. Alternatively, if you plant basil in a garden bed, it will need about 1 inch of water per week.

3. Marigolds

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are popular for deterring bugs like spiders. They are an effective way to repel pesky pests because they make insecticidal phytochemicals. These are substances that they release through their essential oils and roots that act as pesticides. This also makes them an effective way to deter mosquitoes, aphids, and caterpillars!

Marigolds thrive in full sun with at least six hours of sunshine daily. They can also tolerate a range of soils, including neutral with a pH of 6 to 8, acidic with a pH of less than 6, or even alkaline with a pH of 8 or higher.

The flowers, foliage, and roots are toxic to humans, keep children away and use gloves when planting marigolds.

4. Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a lovely delicate scent, making it a popular choice for homes and gardens, but spiders hate its fragrance. So if you are looking to keep spiders away, growing lavender is an excellent natural option. Lavender is hardy in zones 5 to 10, enjoys six to eight hours of sun every day, and needs irrigation when the soil is dry to the touch 1 inch below the surface of the ground.

Make a Lavender Essential Oil Spider Spray

An alternative to cultivating lavender is making your own essential oil spider repellent spray. You only need a spray bottle that can hold 16 ounces of water and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. You can add a dash of dishwashing soap to help the lavender essential oil mix better with the water. Then, spray this where you frequently see spiders in the corners of your rooms, such as deck railings, outdoor furniture, or even indoors.

5. Rosemary

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) repels spiders with its intense aroma. So if you're tired of these creepy crawlies dropping by, try planting rosemary around your garden or indoors.

Rosemary is an evergreen herb and grows as a perennial in zones 8 to 10. Generally, it prefers locations with six hours of sun and acidic soils with a pH of 6 or less. Then watch for blooms with delicate white flowers in the spring and summer.

Deter Spider Mites With Rosemary Oil

Rosemary essential oil is also effective at deterring other pests like spider mites. You can make a homemade spider mite spray fairly quickly by combining 1 tablespoon of rosemary oil with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle and spraying the plant's leaves. Always research if rosemary essential oil will affect your plant cultivar before applying the spray.

The ancient Greeks and Romans thought that rosemary could boost your memory. So academics and students would add a sprig of rosemary to their hair to help them during their studies.

6. Mint

Mint (Mentha) is an effective method to keep spiders away. Spiders immensely dislike the fragrance that mint oils release and are keen to avoid areas where mint is present. You can keep spiders out of your way by growing a mint plant in your home or outdoors in your herb garden.

Encourage your mint to grow vigorously by planting it either in full or partial sun and water to keep the soil moist to the touch. As a good rule of thumb, check the soil 1 inch down. If it feels dry, it's time to water.

Remember that mint can quickly overtake any area where you plant it. In as little as a year after planting, you could be looking at an herb that's 4 feet tall! So cultivate mint in a container about 10 inches in size to keep it manageable.

Say Goodbye to Scary Spiders

Spiders can be an unwelcome guest in your home and garden. Even though they do have some benefits, like eating mosquitoes, not everyone feels comfortable relaxing around their spindly legs. If spiders are bugging you, try cultivating plants that naturally repel them, like basil, lavender, and mint. You can even make a lavender essential oil spray to target specific areas to prevent spiders, like deck chairs.

What plants do you cultivate to repel spiders? Share your tips and tricks for keeping spiders away in the comments below!