Plants That Act as Natural Spider Repellents (2023)

Gardening

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What to Grow to Keep Spiders out

Nadia Hassani

Nadia Hassani is a a Penn State Master Gardener with nearly 20 years of experience in landscaping, garden design, and vegetable and fruit gardening.

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Updated on 05/27/22

Reviewed by

Kathleen Miller

Reviewed byKathleen Miller

Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column.She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming.

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Plants That Act as Natural Spider Repellents (3)

Plants, especially strongly scented plants such as herbs, are a natural way to deter spiders from invading your home. Spiders move indoors especially with the onset of cold weather in search of a warm place and insects to feed on.Spider webs are unsightly and once the spiders abandon them, they collect lint and dust. Nobody enjoys having a spider walk across the kitchen floor.

Plants that spiders don’t like can be houseplants or outdoor plants, and you can grow them either in containers or in garden beds. For the plants to work as spider repellents, place the plants in key locations where spiders are likely to enter your home, such as near doors, windows, and other entryways. If you live in a cooler climate, you can keep potted frost-sensitive plants outdoors during the summer and overwinter them indoors.

Here is a list of plants that spiders don’t like.

01 of 14
Basil
All basil (Ocimum basilicum) varieties—Genovese, cinnamon, lemon, and Thai basil—have a strong scent that deters spiders. It is a cold-sensitive herb that can be grown as a perennial in warm climates and indoors.
- Size: 12–24 in. tall and wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10–11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
- Water: Deeply and regularly
- Fertilizer: If harvesting continuously, fertilize about once a month with an all-purpose fertilizer
Tip
All of these watering instructions are for plants growing in garden soil, unless otherwise noted. If grown in containers outdoors, plants need more frequent and deep wateringdue to direct sun exposure and increased evaporation.
02 of 14
Lavender
If you are using lavender (Lavandula spp.) primarily to repel spiders, choose English lavender because it has the strongest scent of all lavender varieties. Lavenders are perennials but they must be overwintered indoors in cooler climates.
- Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, alkaline, dry
- Water: Once established, water only sparingly
- Fertilizer: Not needed
03 of 14
Mint
Peppermint is not only the cold-hardiest of all mints (Mentha spp.), but also the mint with the strongest scent so it’s the best suited to repel spiders. Note that mint is toxic to pets when ingested.
- Size: 12-18 in. tall, 18-24 in. wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-11 depending on variety
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-drained
- Water: Only during dry spells to keep soil slightly moist
- Fertilizer: Not needed unless grown in poor soil
04 of 14
Rosemary
In most climates, rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) will only survive as a perennial if it is overwintered indoors. But if you give it plenty of light, you can also grow rosemary exclusively indoors year-round.
- Size: 2-6 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy, well-drained
- Water: Only sparingly, soil should be moist at maximum
- Fertilizer: Not needed unless grown in poor soil
Continue to 5 of 14 below.
05 of 14
Lemon Balm
Even people with a yard often grown this hardy perennial in a container as it tends to spread. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) needs plenty of sunlight to do well indoors. Fertilizing it will reduce the strength of its scent so fertilizer is counterproductive to growing lemon balm as a spider-repelling plant.
- Size: 1.5-2 ft. tall, 1.5-3 ft. wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
- Water: Once established, only needed sparingly
- Fertilizer: Not needed
06 of 14
Chrysanthemum
Despite being perennials, the mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) found in garden centers in the fall often don’t make it to the next year (starting them in the spring yourself is a better way to grow them as perennials). The fall, when potted mums are sold and promoted is perfect because that’s when spiders seek out a warm, cozy place for the winter. Placing mums around your entrance door is not just pretty but also works against spiders.
- Size: 2-3 ft. tall. 1-2 ft. wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Fertile, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
- Water: Deeply and regularly
- Fertilizer: For mums grown as annuals, feed every 7-14 dayswith an all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer
07 of 14
Citronella Grass
Because it won’t overwinter in most climates, citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) needs to be grown as a perennial, needs to be brought indoors during the winter. The lemon scent of the blades not only deters spiders but also mosquitoes and other insects.
- Size: 6 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-12
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full sun
- Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-drained
- Water: Amply and regularly, in some conditions daily
- Fertilizer: High-nitrogen fertilizer once a year at the beginning of the growing season in the spring
08 of 14
Lemon Verbena
Like many of the plants that repel spiders, lemon verbena (Aloysia citriodora) is also a delicious culinary herb that you can use for drinks, desserts, and jams. The plant is a perennial, native to Argentina and Chile, that needs indoor overwintering in cold climates.
- Size: 2-3 ft. tall, up to 6 ft. tall when grown outdoors year-round
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, moist, well-drained
- Water: Regularly and deeply
- Fertilizer: During the growing season. fertilize about once a month with an all-purpose fertilizer
Continue to 9 of 14 below.
09 of 14
Sage
All sages are fragrant but if you want to plant one specifically for its scent, Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii), a native of California, or musk sage, a naturally occurring variety of Cleveland sage, are the most aromatic ones.
If you grow ordinary garden sage (Salvia officinalis), do not fertilize it, as it weakens its scent.
- Size: 2-2.5 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, well-drained
- Water: Only during dry spells
- Fertilizer: Not needed
10 of 14
Dill
This annual herb does not like transplanting so it is best to start it from seed. Dill (Anethum graveolens) grows fast but stops producing its aromatic green fronds after the bloom, about eight weeks after sowing. For a constant supply of dill, reseed it about every four to six weeks from spring to late summer.
- Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained
- Water: As needed to keep soil moist at all times
- Fertilizer: No fertilizer needed
11 of 14
Chives
A low-maintenance perennial herb whose onion scent works as a spider repellent. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum), like other members of the onion family, are toxic to dogs and cats.
- Size: 10-15 in. tall and wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, light shade
- Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, sandy, well-drained
- Water: Only during dry spells
- Fertilizer: If you are harvesting the chives, fertilize in the late spring with a high-nitrogen fertilizer
12 of 14
Catnip
A hardy perennial that grows and spreads fast. For better control, catnip (Nepeta cataria) is often grown in containers, either outdoors or indoors. If the plant gets unruly as a houseplant, start with a new seedling.
- Size: 2-3 ft. tall and wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, well-drained
- Water: Only during dry spells
- Fertilizer: Not needed unless grown in poor soil
Continue to 13 of 14 below.
13 of 14
Marigolds
The strong scent of marigolds(Tagetes spp.) makes these vibrant flowers a potent insect and spider repellent. Of all the marigold varieties, Mexican marigolds (Tagetes erecta) have the strongest scent and they are also the tallest. Note that the scent is all in the foliage, marigold flowers have almost no scent, which means that the leafy parts of the plants act as repellents not just when the flowers are in bloom. Marigolds are grown as annuals in all hardiness zones.
- Size: 4-36 in. tall, 6-18 in. wide depending on the variety
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Any soil, above ph 6.0
- Water: Regularly until established, then only during dry spells
- Fertilizer: Not needed unless grown in poor soil
14 of 14
Eucalyptus
The menthol-smell of bruised eucalyptus leaves is what makes the tree attractive to humans but unappealing for spiders. When grown indoors as a houseplant, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea) grows to a height of only 6-10 feet.
The tree is toxic to humans and pets; the bark and leaves can cause skin irritations and are highly toxic when ingested.
- Size: 6-60 ft. tall, 2-15 ft. wide
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Any type, well-drained, slightly acidic)
- Water: Although it is drought-tolerant, water when the soil feels dry.
- Fertilizer: None needed for outdoor plants; for houseplants, apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer about once a month during the growing season.

Spiders in Your Yard

Not all spiders are a nuisance, it depends where you encounter them. Take the necessary steps to keep them out of your home but give them leeway outdoors. Garden spiders are an excellent biological pest control for insects that can bother or harm you, such as mosquitoes or flies, or that can wreak havoc on your plants, such as aphids, beetles, wasps, and stink bugs. Beneficial spiders in your yard include orb weavers, jumping spiders, and sac spiders.

Note that spider mites and spiders are both arachnids but spider mites, unlike spiders, are not at all beneficial; they cause significant damage to all kinds of plants.

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Mint. ASPCA.
Chives. ASPCA.
Eucalyptus leaves: more than a delicacy for koalas. Office for Science and Society, McGill University.

Plants That Act as Natural Spider Repellents (2023)

Basil

Tip

Lavender

Mint

Rosemary

Lemon Balm

Chrysanthemum

Citronella Grass

Lemon Verbena

Sage

Dill

Chives

Catnip

Marigolds

Eucalyptus

Spiders in Your Yard

References