Plants to Attract Dragonflies and Repel Mosquitoes in the UK

If you’re seeking a natural, eco‑friendly way to manage garden pests, then hopefully this guide on how to attract dragonflies and repel mosquitoes will be of tremendous benefit. In this blog we’ll explain why dragonflies are invaluable allies – voracious predators of mosquitoes and other nuisance insects – and how choosing the right plants can both draw these beneficial hunters to your outdoor space and deter mosquitoes naturally.

By the end, you’ll be up to speed on the best plants to attract dragonflies and repel mosquitoes in the UK. You’ll also know how they support a balanced ecosystem, and how to create a healthier, more enjoyable garden for you and wildlife alike.

Why Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden?

Dragonflies are among the garden’s most effective natural predators of mosquitoes, consuming hundreds of these pests each day as both larvae and adults. By hunting mosquito larvae in water and catching flying adults, dragonflies help reduce mosquito populations without the need for chemicals.

Beyond mosquitoes, they also prey on midges, gnats and other small nuisance insects, contributing to overall pest control. This predatory behaviour plays a vital role in maintaining a balanced garden ecosystem: by keeping pest numbers in check, dragonflies support healthier plants and reduce the likelihood of disease spread.

Creating a wildlife‑friendly garden encourages these beneficial insects to visit and settle as features such as shallow ponds, native plants and undisturbed vegetation provide ideal habitats. Embracing wildlife‑friendly gardening not only attracts dragonflies but also supports a diverse range of pollinators and predators, fostering a resilient, vibrant garden that thrives naturally.

Best Plants to Attract Dragonflies in the UK

So, you’re looking to fill your garden with plants that’ll attract dragonflies, but which plants are the best plants for dragonflies? Let’s discuss.

Water Plants for Dragonflies

Dragonflies require still or slow‑moving water to breed, hunt and complete their life cycle. Incorporating a small pond or water feature stocked with the following plants provides essential habitat and perching sites:

• Water Lilies (Nymphaea) – Floating leaves create shade and refuge for dragonfly larvae, while flower stalks serve as adult perches.
• Rushes and Sedges (Juncus, Carex) – These marginal plants offer ideal egg‑laying surfaces and shelter for emerging nymphs.
• Arrowhead (Sagittaria) – With arrow‑shaped leaves rising above the water, arrowhead attracts dragonflies by supplying both perching spots and aquatic cover for larvae.

Flowering Plants That Draw Dragonflies

Adult dragonflies patrol flower borders to feed on smaller insects, so planting nectar‑rich blooms nearby increases garden visits:

• Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria) – A UK‑native perennial whose tall, nectar‑filled spikes attract insect prey, drawing dragonflies in search of food.
• Verbena Bonariensis – Its tall, airy stems create perfect vantage points for dragonflies to perch while scanning for prey.
• Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) – Producing flat clusters of tiny flowers, yarrow draws pollinators (and their predators), making it a magnet for hunting dragonflies.

You can always consult local garden centres, such as Haskins, or the RHS website, as both can be invaluable resources to help you develop sustainable gardening practices.

How Plants Help Repel Mosquitoes Naturally

Certain plants produce volatile oils that emit scents mosquitoes find unpleasant, disrupting their ability to locate humans by smell. This makes them ideal garden plants for pest control. Herbs such as lavender, lemon balm and lemon thyme release natural compounds (linalool, citronellal and geraniol) that repel mosquitoes when grown in pots or borders).

Choosing plants for natural mosquito control offers several benefits over chemical repellents:

• No Harmful Toxins That Can Affect Pets, Wildlife and Pollinators
• Reduces Environmental Pollution
• Provides Continuous Protection without Reapplication

Additionally, planting aromatic herbs and flowers enhances garden biodiversity, supports beneficial insects and contributes to a healthier, more sustainable outdoor space for UK gardeners seeking eco‑friendly pest management.

Best Plants to Repel Mosquitoes in the UK

We’ve discussed above how certain plants can help repel mosquitoes, working in tandem with the predatory behaviour of dragonflies to keep your garden clear. But what plants work best? Below, we’ve listed some of the best UK mosquito-repelling plants.

Strongly Scented Herbs

In UK gardens, strongly scented herbs are an excellent first line of defence against mosquitoes. Lavender (Lavandula) is celebrated not only for its calming fragrance and attraction of bees and butterflies, but also for emitting essential oils that mosquitoes find unappealing.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum), is another option that’s commonly grown in pots or borders. It releases aromatic compounds when its leaves are brushed or crushed, deterring biting insects. Likewise, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) gives off a citronella‑like scent that masks human odours and discourages mosquitoes from settling nearby.

Citronella and Citrus-Scented Plants

Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) remains the go‑to botanical mosquito repellent, its strong lemony fragrance interrupting mosquito sensory receptors. Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is similarly effective when its foliage is crushed, releasing volatile oils that drive pests away.

Alternatively, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunnii), although less hardy outdoors, thrives in containers on patios; its strong, menthol‑tinged aroma creates a protective barrier around seating areas.

Ornamental Flowers That Deter Mosquitoes

For a splash of colour as well as pest control, marigolds (Tagetes) are hard to beat – their pungent scent repels mosquitoes and other garden pests.

Lemon‑scented geraniums (Pelargonium) combine bright blooms with citronellal‑rich foliage, while catnip (Nepeta) produces nepetalactone, a natural compound shown to outperform DEET in repelling mosquitoes.

These ornamental options allow gardeners to enjoy a vibrant, pest‑free outdoor space without resorting to chemicals.

How to Create a Dragonfly-Friendly, Mosquito-Free Garden

Creating a dragonfly‑friendly, mosquito‑free garden starts with adding a small pond – a key feature for attracting dragonflies and providing habitat for their larvae. Choose the best plants for dragonflies, such as water lilies, rushes and flowering perennials, alongside aromatic herbs like lavender and lemon balm to boost natural mosquito control.

Embrace wildlife‑friendly gardening by avoiding chemical pesticides that harm dragonflies and other beneficial insects. Encourage biodiversity with native flowering plants and shelter areas for birds, frogs and hedgehogs, all of which help keep mosquito numbers down. By selecting plants to attract dragonflies and repel mosquitoes in the UK, you’ll enjoy a healthier, pest‑free outdoor space.

Final Thoughts: A Balanced, Eco-Friendly Garden

By choosing plants to keep away mosquitoes and attract dragonflies, you achieve two-fold benefits: a natural reduction in biting pests and a welcome influx of dragonflies. Combining water‑loving species with scented herbs and nectar‑rich flowers creates diverse habitats tailored to UK gardens – whether you have a pond, patio containers or a sunny border.

Native varieties are especially effective, as they thrive in local conditions and support pollinators. Visit your nearest garden centre to discover regionally appropriate plants and build a balanced, low‑maintenance wildlife haven that keeps mosquitoes at bay while attracting beneficial dragonflies.

Elevate Your Garden by Choosing the Right Plants to Attract Dragonflies and Repel Mosquitoes in the UK

Ready to transform your outdoor space into a vibrant, dragonfly‑friendly, mosquito‑free haven? Trust Bonsai Landscapes’s expert team to design and install the perfect wildlife‑friendly garden tailored to the UK climate.

From small ponds and water plants to scented herbs and flowering borders, we’ll select the right combination of plants to naturally repel mosquitoes while attracting beneficial dragonflies and other wildlife.

Call us today on 07477 968735 or complete our contact form to arrange a free consultation.