Which plants help against flies indoors and outdoors? An overview with plant species

As soon as it gets nice and warm outside, the first annoying nuisances appear. In addition to mosquitoes and unpleasant wasps, these are above all the flies and by that we mean not only house flies, but also fruit flies. And even if flies are not really dangerous in and of themselves, they can steal your nerve. But what can you do about flies? The fly traps can certainly be bought for outdoors and indoors, but they are not really nice to look at. For this reason we would like to draw your attention to natural remedies for flies and that is the plants. Flies can be scared away or scared off both outdoors and indoors. In this article we would like to summarize which plants are effective against flies. So you will soon have your peace!

Plants against flies outside

You sit comfortably on the terrace and off you go – the flies crawl around on you and get on your nerves. Dinner on the terrace or balcony is no less unpleasant if you are constantly bothered by the insects. So what can you do about flies? Fortunately, nature offers a number of options that can help you and that can be implemented excellently, especially in the garden. Depending on the type of plant, you can use different plants against flies:

Trees that help

A very practical tree that the flies don’t like is that Walnut tree (Juglans regia). It is not without reason that it is often found in parks near benches. It provides wonderful shade in summer and its essential oils not only scare away flies, but also moths and even bedbugs. So you kill several birds with one stone! In late summer and autumn you will also be supplied with walnuts.

Since there are plenty of oils in the leaves, you can also use the leaves of the plants against flies and mosquitoes. Simply crush a sheet to release the oils and then rub it onto your arms, legs, and other uncovered areas of your body. You already have some rest! Also the buckeye (Castanea) is a helper. More on this below. The Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) can be raised in the tub or planted in the garden so that it protects you from flies.

Fight flies with flowers and green plants

On the balcony you can use as plants against flies and many other insects such as mosquitoes and horseflies Geraniums (Pelargonium). The rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is particularly pretty. Even with the pretty ones Petunias (Petunia), which are very popular as balcony plants anyway, will help you fight flying insects successfully.

In the garden it turns out to be Marigold (Tagetes) as a great helper against flies. But it can also be that these are attacked by snails, as they are very popular with them. That is why it is often planted near vegetables. Then the marigolds lure them away from the vegetables. So it’s a great example of how to use a negative trait in a positive way.

Furthermore, the Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and the Marigold (Calendula officinalis) as plants against flies. The latter even attract useful bumblebees and bees. Of the laurel (Laurus nobilis) in turn has essential oils that are repellent to flies and other annoying insects. It can also grow in the bucket and decorate the terrace or balcony. A very space-saving, but pretty flower that you can plant in the garden and also in the flower pot if you want to drive away flies, they are Peonies (Dianthus gratianopolitanus). They also emit an unpleasant scent for the insects and are only 15 cm high. You like Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum)? Then plant these near your patio too!

Herbs as a remedy for flies

You probably already know that herbs are very effective against insects. But not all specimens that drive away mosquitoes also have the same effect against house and other species of flies. However, the following herbs and aromatic plants can help in the fight against them.

lavender (Lavandula)

With lavender you are not only doing something good for yourself, but also for beneficial insects, because they are the perfect source of food for bees and butterflies, but also great plants against flies at the same time. A sunny location is essential for the lavender.

basil (Ocimum basilicum)

These aromatic plants are the perfect plants against flies and they refer to a wide variety of species of flies. It is practical that this spice plant thrives both in the bed and in the pot, so that you can also grow it on the balcony or window sill. The reason for this is the large amounts of essential oils that are contained in the plant.

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)

The nasturtium is pretty to look at and also suitable for any location, so you can easily plant it near the terrace, whether it is shady or sunny. Nasturtiums are not only the perfect plants against flies, they also scare off snails.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Perhaps you know that citrus scents can be used successfully in the fight against flies and insects. The scent of lemongrass is no exception. This aromatic herb has a large number of great ingredients that will help you to repel house and fruit flies, as well as other representatives. As an alternative or in addition to lemongrass, lemon verbena can also be used. (Read more about the effects of lemongrass essential oil here)

chives (Allium)

Do you like the taste and smell of chives? Well, the flies probably not! So use the delicious spice to prepare delicious dishes and snacks and at the same time to scare away the pests. Essential oils will help you with this and you also get a pretty looking plant against flies that you can use to decorate the kitchen or garden.

Mint as a plant against flies

Mint tastes good and smells good, but the flies and mosquitoes disagree. This is especially true for the catnip (Nepeta cataria). But keep in mind that this plant could attract cats because, unlike the insects mentioned, they love the spice. If you don’t want that, choose peppermint (Mentha x piperita) instead. Harvest them regularly or grind the leaves to allow the flavors to escape and the plants to fight flies.

Other helpful spices to consider include oregano (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), garlic (Allium sativum), summer savory (Satureja hortensis) and sage (Salvia).

Get rid of flies with vegetables

If you have also grown a small vegetable patch, be sure to add some plants to prevent flies. There tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) is usually not missing in the vegetable patch, you will be happy to hear that flies do not like the plant at all. And another great news is that you can even grow them on the balcony or patio in a planter and planter if you choose the right varieties. You can also successfully fight mosquitoes with tomatoes.

Also the scent of Bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) is great when you want to get rid of house flies and other types of flies. And what is better than a plant against flies, from which you also expect a tasty harvest?

Plants against flies in the home

And what helps against flies in the apartment? There, too, plants are the best home remedy for flies. In principle, all of the herbs mentioned above are suitable, as they can be grown in pots and on the windowsill. You can also grow the bay laurel and carnation in pots and flower pots or boxes, although an outdoor spot is preferable, at least in the warmer months. Many ornamental plants from the garden can also be used as a bouquet to deter flies. The tansy, carnations and marigolds are well suited for this.

This is no less helpful for the home buckeye (Castanea) and more precisely its fruits, which fruit flies don’t like at all. You may not have a chestnut in your garden, or you may not even have a garden. Then you can just collect some while walking. You then place them in the fruit bowl with the fruit and you are rid of the annoying insects. You can also use the fruits of these plants against flies by placing them next to the organic waste.

Carnivorous plants against flies

Carnivorous plants in particular are very interesting. This is especially true for them Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), which you can even watch when it snaps shut. However, the name is a bit misleading because they are actually more suitable for smaller insects such as mosquitoes. Insects that are too large result in long digestion, so that the plant dies from an excess of nutrients.

Carnivorous plants with pitfalls, to which the Pitcher plants (Nepenthes), as well as those with sticky traps, like the Sundew (Drosera). The former have hollow, mostly tubular plant parts into which the insects fall, while the second variant has sticky parts to which the insects stick. Especially pitcher plants with their hanging “pitchers” are very pretty to look at, well suited as hanging plants and can just as easily be grown in pots on the windowsill. Regardless of which variant you choose, keep in mind that these plants cannot adequately combat flies and insects. However, they are definitely pretty to look at and a great addition to your potted and garden plants.

Good locations for plants against flies

To successfully repel flies, you should also make use of the right locations. So if you want to have some peace and quiet outdoors, place planters and flower boxes with the respective plant species in close proximity to the terrace and seating areas or frame your balcony with them. So that the annoying insects don’t even get into your apartment, place them on the entrance or patio door and decorate the window sills with plants against flies if you don’t have an insect screen. Plants against flies can stand on the windowsill both inside and outside.