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Plants That Repel Fleas

Hands wearing gardening gloves holding a biodegradable small pot with a plant in it on tilled garden soil.

There are a number of plants that repel fleas and can make your home flea-free. The best plants to use for flea prevention are those that are aromatic, such as eucalyptus, tea tree oil, peppermint, rosemary, etc.

Using flea repelling plants in the right location will help keep those pesky creatures away from your pets and your family.

While these plants help your fight against fleas, do not expect them to kill any of them. These plants repel only, and the fleas have ample opportunity to go around these plants.

To find out more about these flea repelling plants. Just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can use these plants effectively.

Where To Put These Plants

Before we begin naming and describing the various plants that can ward off fleas, it is vital to first determine where these plants should be placed. If you put them in the incorrect places, then you might as well throw away your money because you wasted it. The following are some pointers to help you determine the best place for these plants.

The Entrances to Your Home

Front entrance of a small grey house.

There are several key locations where you can place the see plants around your home. The first is at the entrances to your porch or patio. Or you can place them at the bottom of your stairs or next to outdoor doors to make sure those fleas do not get inside.

The Foundation of Your Home

Foundation level flower bed along the side of a house.

The majority of homeowners do not consider cracks to be a possible entry point for fleas, so these areas are frequently ignored. However, you should not ignore this location. To prevent fleas from entering your home, you must cover any cracks until you can get them fixed.

Around Your Windows

Flower boxes full of beautiful, colorful flowers at the base of shuttered windows.

Fleas have a reputation for being excellent high jumpers. They can easily jump at least 7 inches, and possibly even higher. This indicates that you should place flea-repelling plants in front of any open windows in your home. Don’t worry, a good number of these plants are gorgeous and will complement the decor of your home.

Anywhere Your Pet Goes

2 beagles running in a yard

Fleas can be found in a wide variety of environments. They are patiently awaiting the arrival of your dog or cat so that they can climb on top of them. In order to protect your pets from fleas, it is essential to place these plants in areas where they like to hang out in.

One good tip:

Many of the plants that are effective at warding off fleas are considered invasive. That means they can completely take over a yard or garden, suffocating your preferred vegetation and flowers in the process. Place them in pots so you can keep track of their progress and limit their growth.

Then, if you have plants that are contained within pots, you can move them whenever you like and position them wherever they are required.

Flea Repelling Plants

This is not an exhaustive list, but it gets you on the right track and makes sure you have a good idea of what type of plants to look for when you go shopping.

Chamomile

Close up of Chamomile flowers

Because of its calming properties, it makes a wonderful tea ingredient. This plant gives off a powerful and effective odor that ticks and fleas avoid because they find it unpleasant. In addition, the flowers, which are white and yellow, bring a touch of beauty to any garden.

Eucalyptus

Close up of a Eucalyptus branch

It is the same as having your very own tick and flea spray right there in your garden. Not only is this plant effective at warding off fleas, but you can also use the leaves to create a flea repellent spray that is safe for both your pets and your family to use.

Did you know that some essential oils repel fleas? Check out our post “Do Essential Oils Repel Fleas?” to learn more.

Lavender

Moth on a Lavender plant outdoors

It has a beautiful color on its flowers, and when you drive in after a hard day, you may feel a bit more relaxed when you see them because of the beautiful color. Their pungent odor also drives fleas away, giving you peace of mind that your pets are protected.

Rosemary

Rosemary plant

This plant can be grown successfully either indoors or outdoors. When it matures, it creates a barrier that is a few feet high and prevents fleas from entering your home through open windows. You can put it to good use in the kitchen when it’s not on the duty of fighting fleas.

Catnip

Overhead view of Catnip growing outdoors

Even though it is not actually mint, the fragrance has a strong minty smell that keeps fleas, ticks, and other insects away from your home. Be very careful, however, as some cats are allergic to catnip. However, cats absolutely adore the minty aroma.

A lot of mosquito repellents contain deet. But does deet also repel fleas? Check out our post “Does Deet Repel Fleas” to learn more.

Sage

Sage growing outdoors

Another plant that works wonderfully in the extravagant meals that you prepare for your loved ones. This plant does best when placed along walkways or in other strategic locations. It has a strong odor and would be an excellent addition to your garden’s herb collection.

Thyme

Close up of Thyme growing outdoors

Everyone enjoys the pleasant lemony scent that is produced by this herb plant, with the exception of fleas and ticks. Additionally, it will blend in nicely with the other herb plants that you have in your herb garden or along the stairwells and walkways in your garden.

Lemon Balm

Close up of Lemon Balm growing outdoors

As the plant matures, the scent of lemon becomes noticeably stronger. This more powerful and effective odor works well as a flea repellent because of its strength. In addition to that, you can pick the leaves and rub them on your clothing or the fur of your dog. It is a safe alternative to consider.

Mint

Close up of a mint plant

Everyone is familiar with the scent of mint, and this particular plant is one of those invasive plants that need to be managed. On the other hand, you can rub it on your clothing to repel fleas or boil the leaves to make a spray that will repel fleas. BUT both cats and dogs should stay away from this plant as it is toxic to them.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass growing in the ground outdoors

This plant has the same lemony scent that is found in other flea-repelling plants, so it is effective against fleas. If you plant lemon trees in the right spot, the scent of the lemons should keep fleas away. Unless you are pregnant, you should feel free to use it in your cooking. It is well known that this plant can cause birth defects and is toxic to both cats and dogs.

Rue

Yellow Rue flowers growing outdoors

This is a nice plant that should be planted near catnip. It has fragrances cats do not like and keeps them away. Just like it repels fleas and ticks. It is a non-toxic plant that can also be grown indoors.

Yarrow

White Yarrow flowers growing on stalks outdoors

The flowers, which bloom in yellow and red, are a vibrant addition to any garden because of their dual coloration. The fact that its aroma is also effective at warding off bothersome insects like fleas is an added bonus. On the other hand, both cats and dogs should avoid consuming this plant as it is toxic.

Wormwood

Close up of the leaves of a Wormwood plant

This is more of a plant for the border. The dense growth of this plant helps to obstruct the path that fleas and ticks use to get into your yard. It is possible that it will not repel them, but it will help keep fleas away from areas where they are not wanted.

Garlic

Garlic growing in soil with several bulbs uprooted

It seems that enough garlic keeps everyone away including fleas. Its strong odor is a good flea deterrent and when you grow your own you are planting a good anti-flea line of defense. The flowers are quite attractive as well.

Pennyroyal

Close up of the lavender flowers on a Pennyroyal plant

This low-growing plants can reach the fleas and ticks where they live- low to the ground. Pennyroyal is related to mint and you need to be careful about the overgrowth. The purple flowers on this plant are not as attractive as the purple color on other plants but the plant doe sits job well.

Beautyberry

Beautiful purple berries known as Beautyberry

This is the plant to purchase if you want to give your garden a more interesting appearance while also warding off fleas at the same time. The bright purple berries that it produces add a splash of color to any garden. It has the ability to repel fleas and ticks, but you should be careful because it can grow very quickly. It’s possible that some of the plants on this list will require more frequent pruning than others. It is safe for both cats and dogs to consume.

Rose

Bright pink roses in full bloom

Don’t let their beauty fool you. This is an excellent flea and tick repellent but only when they are in full bloom. Their beautiful flowers will also enhance the look of your garden and keep it pest-free throughout its blooming season. The advantage to using this plant is you can get a rose in a wide variety of colors.

Chrysanthemum

Close up of bright orange Chrysanthemums

Another fine plant that comes in a variety of colors. The advantage of using this plant to fight off fleas is that they can go in planters under your window, on your porch or patio, and in many other places. This plant releases a chemical that repels fleas but be careful, it can be toxic to dogs and cats.

Fleabane Daisy

Close up of the top of a Fleabane Daisy

This is a tall and colorful plant that works best at the back of the garden. The mild odor it emits helps keep fleas away. Also, you can take some of the leaves and rub them on your skin for extra protection. Can be toxic for dogs and cats.

Geranium

Geraniums growing in the ground outdoors

This is a triple threat plant. Not only does it repel fleas, but it also repels ticks and mosquitoes. The perfect place to plant this flower is in hanging flower baskets around your patio, doorways and other key locations. It contains citronella oil that fleas do not like.

Honorable Mention – Marigold

Overhead view of Marigolds growing outdoors

This plant is not only lovely but also very simple to grow. Fleas, ticks, and lice are repelled by its gentle and sweet odor. When you want to avoid being exposed to insects that might carry diseases, that is a good combination to have. They can be cultivated in a variety of environments, each of which contributes to increased safety for your family and your pets.

Are Flea Repelling Plants Easy to Grow?

Brick drive lined with flower beds full of flowers

Even if you have little experience with gardening, you should still be able to cultivate a variety of plants in and around your house. The most important thing is to learn how to cultivate them, such as in what kind of soil or how much sunlight they require.

Some plant species are more suited to growing in alkaline soils or in the shade than others, and the list goes on. There is more to this tactic than simply sowing seeds and then ignoring the plants once they have germinated.

It won’t be easy to get them to maintain a healthy growth rate and perform the tasks that you need them to do.

Some Final Words

Gloved hands planting small pink flowers in a terracotta pot on a table full of potting materials

It is not necessary to make use of harmful chemicals in order to keep fleas at bay. You don’t have to choose between having a lovely yard and garden and protecting your home from fleas. You can have both!

Simply choose the plants and the colors of their leaves that appeal to you the most, and do the best job you can. You will be able to take pleasure in your property, improve the appearance of your home, and prevent flea infestations all at the same time.

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Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives.