Complete Gardening
Creating a bee-friendly environment is essential, but sometimes you want a space free from buzzing distractions. For those looking to enjoy their patio while keeping bees at bay, here are 20 plants that naturally deter these buzzing visitors.
These selections are perfect for adding beauty to your space while maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. Each plant comes with its unique charm and benefits, making your patio not only aesthetically pleasing but also a bee-free haven.
1. Red Geraniums
Red geraniums are a vibrant addition to any patio, offering striking color and a natural deterrent to bees. These hardy plants thrive in sunny spots, providing a burst of energy with their rich red blooms.
Although they attract butterflies, bees tend to stay away from these floral beauties. Incorporating geraniums into your patio garden can enhance your outdoor aesthetic without the unwanted buzz.
Water them moderately, ensuring the soil stays slightly dry, which they prefer. Geraniums not only add visual interest but also create an inviting space for guests, minus the bees.
2. Citronella Plant
The citronella plant is well-known for its mosquito-repelling properties, but it also helps in keeping bees at a distance. This plant emits a pleasant lemony scent that bees find unappealing, making it a perfect choice for patios.
Place it in a sunny corner for optimal growth, and enjoy its bright green foliage. Citronella requires regular watering to maintain its lush appearance. It’s a great addition to not only keep the buzzing away but also to infuse your patio with a refreshing aroma.
3. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a versatile plant, known for its aromatic leaves and bee-repelling qualities. Its distinctive scent is refreshing to humans but deters bees from lingering. Ideal for patios, eucalyptus can be grown in pots or as part of a larger garden arrangement.
Ensure it receives ample sunlight and is watered regularly to thrive. Eucalyptus leaves are often used in bouquets and crafts, adding utility beyond bee deterrence.
Their soft green hue complements a variety of patio styles, making eucalyptus both practical and decorative.
4. Wormwood
Wormwood is a unique, aromatic herb that doubles as a bee repellent, thanks to its strong scent. Its feathery, gray-green foliage adds a touch of elegance to patio settings, blending well with other plants.
Wormwood thrives in sunny, dry spots and requires minimal watering, making it a low-maintenance choice. This plant can also deter other insects, offering a multipurpose solution for outdoor areas.
Incorporating wormwood into your patio design can enhance its visual appeal while ensuring a more bee-free environment.
5. Mint Family Plants (Non-Flowering)
Mint plants are easy to grow and serve as an effective bee deterrent when kept from flowering. Their aromatic leaves are pleasant to humans but discourage bees from visiting. Keeping mint in pots prevents it from spreading excessively, which is ideal for patio settings.
These plants prefer partial sunlight and regular watering to stay lush. Mint can be used in cooking and beverages, adding further utility to its presence. Enjoy a bee-free space with the refreshing scent and practical benefits of mint.
6. Basil (Non-Flowering)
Basil is a beloved culinary herb that also helps keep bees at bay, particularly when it doesn’t flower. The strong scent of basil leaves is pleasant and inviting to humans but acts as a deterrent to bees.
Place basil in a sunny spot and water it regularly to maintain its lushness. This versatile herb can be used fresh in various dishes, making it a practical addition to your patio. With basil, you get the dual benefit of a bee-free zone and a handy culinary companion.
7. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is celebrated for its citrusy aroma, which is effective in repelling bees and other insects. Its tall, graceful leaves add a tropical feel to patios, making it both functional and decorative.
Lemongrass thrives in sunny conditions and requires regular watering for optimal growth. Besides its insect-repelling benefits, lemongrass can be used in cooking and herbal teas, offering additional value to its presence.
Embrace a bee-free patio experience with the fresh scent and aesthetic appeal of lemongrass.
8. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, or mums, are vibrant blooms known for their insect-repelling properties, including bees. Their bold colors and variety of forms make them a popular choice for patio decoration.
Mums thrive in sunny spots and require regular watering to maintain their vivid flowers. They can be placed in pots or along garden borders, offering flexibility in placement.
Enjoy a lively, colorful patio environment while keeping bees and other pests at a distance with chrysanthemums.
9. Rosemary (Kept Trimmed)
Rosemary is an aromatic herb that, when kept trimmed, serves as an effective bee deterrent. Its woody scent is a favorite in cooking but less appealing to bees.
Position rosemary in a sunny location and ensure it is well-drained for the best results. Regular trimming not only helps maintain its shape but also enhances its bee-repelling properties.
Besides its functional benefits, rosemary provides culinary versatility, making it a worthwhile addition to any patio.
10. Ageratum
Ageratum, also known as floss flower, is admired for its fluffy, lavender blooms that act as a deterrent to bees. The unique texture and striking color make ageratum a standout feature in any patio garden.
These flowers prefer sunny locations and need regular watering to thrive. Ageratum’s ability to repel bees adds to its appeal, offering aesthetic beauty and functional benefits.
Incorporate ageratum into your patio design for a touch of elegance, color, and a bee-free experience.
11. Ornamental Grasses (Non-Flowering Varieties)
Ornamental grasses can enhance the aesthetic of patios while naturally deterring bees, particularly non-flowering varieties. Their graceful movement and varied textures add depth and interest to outdoor spaces.
These grasses prefer sunny locations and need regular watering to maintain their lush appearance. Their ability to sway with the wind without attracting bees makes them a unique addition to patios.
Enjoy the serene beauty and practical benefits of ornamental grasses, creating a tranquil, bee-free oasis.
12. Boxwood
Boxwood shrubs are a classic choice for structured, elegant patios, and their dense foliage helps in repelling bees. Known for their versatility in design, boxwoods can be shaped into various forms to suit any patio style.
They thrive in partial to full sunlight and require regular pruning for best results. Boxwoods’ ability to repel bees while adding a touch of sophistication makes them a popular choice. Enhance your patio with the timeless appeal and functional benefits of this evergreen shrub.
13. Coleus
Coleus plants are celebrated for their stunning foliage, featuring a vibrant palette of colors that naturally keep bees at bay. These plants thrive in shaded patio areas, adding a splash of color without attracting buzzing visitors.
Regular watering and a bit of shade help coleus maintain its lush appearance. The diverse leaf patterns provide visual interest, making coleus a striking choice for patios. Enjoy a colorful, bee-free space with the unique beauty and practicality of coleus.
14. Dusty Miller
Dusty miller is a stunning plant known for its silvery foliage, offering both visual appeal and bee-repelling properties. Its unique coloration contrasts beautifully with other plants, enhancing patio aesthetics.
This plant prefers sunny locations and requires little water, making it a low-maintenance option. The soft texture of its leaves adds a touch of elegance, while its ability to deter bees increases its appeal. Incorporate dusty miller into your patio for a chic, bee-free environment.
15. Elephant Ear
Elephant ear plants are known for their dramatic foliage and natural bee-repelling qualities. Their large, striking leaves create a bold statement on any patio, enhancing its tropical vibe.
These plants prefer partial shade and consistent moisture to thrive. The lush greenery of elephant ears adds a touch of the exotic while keeping bees away. Incorporate these giants into your patio design for both visual impact and a more serene, bee-free zone.
16. Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet potato vines are not only decorative but also effective in repelling bees. Their lush, cascading foliage adds texture and color to patios, making them a versatile choice for hanging baskets or containers.
These vines thrive in sunny spots and require regular watering to maintain their vibrancy. The broad leaves of sweet potato vines provide both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits. Enjoy a lively, bee-free patio with the addition of these charming vines.
17. Snake Plant
Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, are hardy, low-maintenance options that help in keeping bees away. Their striking, upright leaves add a modern touch to patios, complementing various design styles.
These plants thrive in low light and require minimal watering, making them ideal for busy patio owners. The unique form and bee-repelling properties of snake plants make them a favorite choice.
Bring a touch of contemporary elegance to your patio with the practical benefits of snake plants.
18. Succulents (Non-Flowering Selections)
Non-flowering succulents offer a sleek, modern aesthetic while naturally discouraging bees. Their diverse shapes and sizes add visual interest, making them a chic addition to patios.
Succulents require minimal care, thriving in sunny locations with occasional watering. Their ability to deter bees while providing a stylish aesthetic makes them popular for contemporary outdoor settings. Embrace a modern, bee-free patio with the unique textures and forms of succulents.
19. Heuchera
Heuchera, or coral bells, is cherished for its vibrant foliage that comes in a variety of colors and naturally deters bees. The ruffled leaves add texture and color depth to patios, making them an attractive choice.
Heuchera thrives in partial sunlight and requires regular watering to maintain its vivid appearance. Its ability to repel bees while adding visual interest enhances the appeal of patios. Enjoy a colorful, bee-free outdoor space with the dynamic beauty of heuchera.
20. Hosta
Hostas are popular for their lush foliage and ability to repel bees, making them ideal for shaded patio areas. The large, decorative leaves create a serene atmosphere, adding to the tranquility of outdoor spaces.
Hostas thrive in shaded locations and require regular watering to keep their leaves vibrant.
Their natural bee-repelling properties, along with their aesthetic appeal, make them a go-to choice for patios. Create a peaceful, bee-free patio retreat with the lush greenery of hostas.