It is annoying to spot a cockroach while turning on the lights. These pests multiply fast under a conducive environment and are surprisingly good at hiding, which makes it difficult to deal with them. But ignoring them isn't a good choice, as they are unhygienic and can spread germs. That's why keeping a check on their growth is important. Growing a few roach deterrent plants is an easy and natural way to deter them. In this blog, we highlight ways to keep roaches away from your home.
Rosemary
Most of us know rosemary as a flavourful herb that makes our meals taste and smell amazing. But rosemary is more than just a kitchen ingredient. The natural oils in its leaves are known to reduce stress and ease minor aches. Its fresh and woody scent is also used in soaps, potpourri, and perfumes, making it a popular choice for adding fragrance around the home.
Along with all these benefits, rosemary has one more surprising advantage: deterring cockroaches. The smell and oil in its leaves naturally repel cockroaches, as well as other pests like mosquitoes and ants. So, placing rosemary plants in places where you want to avoid roaches can really help. The oils are toxic to roaches, which is why they stay away.
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Sun Exposure: A warm and sunny spot (above 50° F).
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Soil Type: Fast-draining soil.
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Pet Safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
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Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Bay Leaf
Bay leaves are a common kitchen spice that we use to add a minty flavour to our food. The leaves are picked, dried, and used in soup and meat dishes. You can even boil them to make a herbal tea that helps relieve an upset stomach. This plant may be a favorite for humans, but roaches hate it. Their strong aroma is unbearable for roaches, and it usually makes them run away.
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Sun Exposure: Sunny conditions with partial shade.
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Soil Type: Moist, but well-draining soil.
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Pet Safety: Toxic to dogs and cats.
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Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Lavender
Lavender is a gentle, easy-to-grow plant that is used in homes for cooking, treating skin/hair problems, and relieving stress. Its scent is pleasant for humans but unpleasant to roaches, making it a good option to deter roaches. Lavender not only repels roaches but also keeps mosquitoes, flies, moths, and fleas away.
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Sun Exposure: Grows best in sunny spots.
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Soil Type: Grows well in well-draining soil.
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Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Mint
Mint is a useful herb that grows well both outdoors in the garden and indoors in pots. Its cool, refreshing smell can brighten up your home. Several types of mint, such as peppermint and spearmint, grow well both indoors and outdoors and can make a great addition to living spaces. However, roaches dislike the smell of mint and don't invade the surrounding area where mint is grown.
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Sun Exposure: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
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Soil Type: Grows best in moist, but well-drained soil.
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Hardiness Zones: 3-11
Catnip
Catnip is an outstanding, natural repellent for roaches as well as for other insects like ants and beetles. Catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone that works effectively in repelling roaches.
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Sun Exposure: Thrives in full sun but can also survive under partial shade.
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Soil Type: Catnip grows best in well-drained, loamy, or sandy soil, but also survives in poor soils and can tolerate drought. However, the growth of the plant is greatly influenced by the soil type.
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Hardiness Zones: 3- 9
Citronella
Citronella is famous for keeping mosquitoes away, but it also helps in repelling roaches. These fresh, grass-like plants grow well in pots, so you can keep them indoors as well as outdoors. Placing the plant near doors, windows, or other entry spots will help to prevent roaches from entering your home.
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Sun Exposure: Citronella grows best in partial shade to full sun but cannot achieve its optimum growth in shade.
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Soil Type: They usually grow in various soil conditions, but sandy, loamy soil with a good content of organic matter works best for them.
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Hardiness Zones: 9-11
Marigolds
Marigolds are bright, happy flowers that naturally keep roaches away. Also, marigolds naturally repel other pests such as deer or rabbits, as these creatures cannot tolerate the odour of marigolds. They grow well in North Carolina, especially during the warm seasons. Their vibrant colours and pest-repelling benefits work well for your gardens.
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Sun Exposure: Marigolds thrive in full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade as well. The plant blooms in full sun.
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Soil Type: Marigold thrives best in moist, fertile, clay loam, well-draining soil that contains sufficient amounts of compost and granular fertilizer.
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Hardiness Zones: 3-11
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums can be planted both indoors and outdoors. They add a vibrant charm to the garden and home. They bloom in various colours like yellow, orange, and purple. Apart from their beauty, they are also good at repelling roaches. Some of these plants contain pyrethrins(a group of six compounds) that help keep many bugs(like ants and mosquitoes)away.
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Sun Exposure: Chrysanthemums thrive in full sun. They need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
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Soil Type: They grow best in well-drained soil because they can't bear excessive humidity, so they need proper air flow through the soil.
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Hardiness Zones: Chrysanthemums are hardy in zones 5-9.
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Toxicity: If consumed, they can be toxic to pets and humans.
Petunias
Petunias are colorful flowers that brighten up any space and bloom throughout the year. They naturally help keep pests away. However, their light licorice-like scent can sometimes attract slugs and caterpillars.
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Sun Exposure: Petunias thrive in full sun (at least 6 hours a day ).
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Soil Type: They grow in well-draining but fertile soil.
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Hardiness Zones: Petunias are hardy in zones 9-11.
Osage Orange
Osage orange, also known as hedge apple, is a small tree or big shrub that usually grows around 8-15 metres tall. It is well known for its tennis-ball-like fruits. People believe that the natural chemicals of these fruits help keep roaches away. Osage oranges can also repel other insects like flies and spiders.
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Sun Exposure: Thrives best in full sun. They can also tolerate partial shade, but the growth won't be optimum.
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Soil Type: A mixture of loamy, clayey, and sandy soil in the proportions of 2:2:1, respectively, will work best for Osage oranges.
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Hardiness Zones: They are hardy in zones 4-9. Osage oranges can bear the harshest conditions, including drought, heat, cold, wind, and can even grow in poor soils.
How These Plants Keep Roaches Away?
Roaches hate powerful smells. These plants repel roaches due to their strong natural fragrances. When roaches come across plants that release these sharp fragrances, they avoid the area and move away from your home and garden, and look for a different hiding place. These plants offer simple, eco-friendly ways to reduce roaches without using harmful chemicals. Also, these plants add natural fragrance and enhance the charm of your home and garden.
