Keep Spiders Away With These Houseplants
As the seasons change, you might notice more eight-legged visitors making themselves at home. It’s that time of year often called “spider season,” when spiders seem to pop up everywhere. While they play a helpful role in the ecosystem, many of us prefer they stay outside. Before you reach for a chemical spray, what if there was a greener, more beautiful way to keep spiders away?
It turns out that certain houseplants are your secret weapon. They don’t just brighten up your space; their natural scents can make your home much less appealing to spiders. We’ll walk you through some of the best spider-repelling plants and how to care for them. It’s a simple, natural solution that adds beauty to your home while encouraging spiders to find somewhere else to live.
Why Do Some Plants Keep Spiders Away?
Spiders experience the world differently from us. They rely heavily on their senses, particularly through tiny hairs on their legs that detect vibrations and scents. While we might find the smell of fresh peppermint or lavender lovely, for a spider, it can be overwhelming and irritating.
Many plants produce strong-smelling oils, known as essential oils, as a natural defence against pests. These powerful scents interfere with a spider’s ability to navigate and hunt, making the area an uncomfortable place for them. By placing these fragrant plants strategically around your home, you create a natural barrier to keep spiders away. It’s an effective and eco-friendly form of pest control that also purifies your air and boosts your mood.
Top 6 Houseplants To Keep Spiders Away
Ready to turn your home into a spider-free sanctuary? Here are some of the best and most effective plants to add to your indoor garden.
1. Lavender (Lavandula)
We love lavender for its calming aroma and beautiful purple flowers, but spiders feel quite the opposite. The strong, floral scent that helps us relax is overpowering for them. A pot of lavender can be a stylish and highly effective deterrent to keep spiders away.
How to Grow It: Lavender loves sunshine, so place it on a windowsill where it can soak up at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. It prefers well-draining soil; if your pot doesn’t have drainage holes, be careful not to overwater it. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Pruning the plant after it flowers will encourage fuller growth and more fragrant blooms for next season.
2. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
The fresh, invigorating scent of peppermint comes from menthol, a compound that spiders find incredibly irritating. This makes peppermint one of the most powerful natural spider repellents you can have in your home.
How to Grow It: Peppermint is a hardy and fast-growing plant. It thrives in pots and does well in bright, indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. For an extra line of defence, you can gently crush a few leaves now and then to release a stronger burst of its scent. You can also make a simple DIY spray by steeping fresh peppermint leaves in water and spritzing it around windows and doorways to keep spiders away.
3. Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus)
Often associated with keeping mosquitoes away from summer barbecues, the plant that produces citronella oil is also fantastic at repelling spiders. Its distinct, lemony scent is great for helping to keep spiders away.
How to Grow It: Citronella grass needs a lot of light, so a bright, sunny spot is best. It’s a tropical plant, so it appreciates regular watering but dislikes sitting in soggy soil. You can grow it in a large pot indoors year-round. Trimming it back occasionally will keep it from getting too leggy and encourage fresh, fragrant growth.
4. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
The crisp, clean scent of eucalyptus is another one that spiders detest. You don’t need a whole tree in your living room to get the benefits; dwarf varieties are perfectly suited for growing in pots indoors.
How to Grow It: Eucalyptus plants need a lot of bright light and good air circulation. Place your plant near a sunny window and water it regularly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out first. Even just a few stems in a vase can be enough to deter spiders, and they add a wonderfully modern touch to your decor.
5. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
This popular culinary herb has a strong, pine-like fragrance that works well to keep spiders away and other insects at bay. Plus, you’ll have fresh rosemary on hand for your cooking!
How to Grow It: Rosemary loves a sunny location and well-draining soil, similar to lavender. It’s a drought-tolerant plant, so be careful not to overwater it. Let the soil dry out between waterings. Place it in a terracotta pot on a sunny kitchen windowsill for easy access and maximum spider-repelling power.
6. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
A member of the mint family, lemon balm has a gentle, citrusy scent that is pleasant to us but bothersome to spiders. It’s an easy-to-grow herb that can quickly fill a pot with its lush green leaves. A great option to keep spiders away.
How to Grow It: Lemon balm is not fussy. It can tolerate a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, though it does best with some morning sun. Keep its soil moist, and be aware that it can grow quite vigorously. Keeping it in a pot is a good way to control its spread. Gently rub the leaves to release their lovely scent.
Where to Place Your Spider-Repelling Plants
To get the most out of your green guardians, placement is key. Think like a spider: where do they typically enter your home or build their webs? By thinking of this, you will know where ot put them to keep spiders away.
- Windowsills: This is a primary entry point. Placing pots of lavender, rosemary, or peppermint here creates an immediate scented barrier.
- Entryways and Doorways: A pot of citronella or eucalyptus near your front or back door can discourage spiders from even thinking about coming inside.
- Corners and Dark Spots: Spiders love quiet, undisturbed corners. A plant placed in the corner of a room, especially basements or garages, can make the space less inviting.
- Kitchens and Bathrooms: These rooms often have moisture, which can attract spiders. Small pots of herbs like peppermint or lemon balm on a kitchen counter or bathroom shelf can help keep spiders away.
A Natural Choice for a Peaceful Home
Choosing houseplants to manage pests is a win-win. You create a healthier, more vibrant indoor environment for yourself and your family, reduce your reliance on chemical treatments, and keep your home free of unwanted eight-legged guests. It’s an approach that is good for you, good for your home, and good for the planet.
By adding a few of these fragrant plants to your home, you can enjoy all the benefits of indoor greenery while sending a clear, natural message to spiders: “You’re not welcome here.”
Have you used any of these methods to keep spiders away? Did you find them helpful? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks to Beards and Daisies for this information to help us all out.
