Best Fly Repellent Plants for UK Gardens
Outdoor dining in the summer is great except for those pesky flies buzzing around your food and drink. And while there isn't a single plant that can deter flies entirely, you can combine a collection of fragrant patio pots filled with carefully chosen plants that can naturally make your outdoor space far less appealing to them.
So if you're looking for the best fly deterrent plant pots, our resident flower expert David Denyer has you covered.
Do plants really keep flies away?
The simple answer is yes. But it’s a combination that’ll be the most effective, no one plant will do the job.
Certain herbs and flowers naturally produce aromatic oils that make your patio less inviting rather than creating an invisible barrier.
For the best results you’ll want to group several scented plants together in containers positioned around seating areas, patios, outdoor dining spaces and entrances.
It should be noted that this won’t help matters if bins aren’t covered and food and drinks are readily available.
The best fly repellent plants for patio pots
Lavender
Lavender is one of the best plants that keep flies away.
Although lovely and relaxing to us, flies tend to dislike its strong floral scent. That's why lavender is one of the most popular fly repellent plants in the UK.
It's also perfectly suited to container growing, thriving in sunny positions with free-draining soil. Lavender also tolerates drought extremely well, making it ideal for hot summers and occasional heatwaves.
An added bonus is that lavender attracts bees and butterflies, helping support pollinators while naturally encouraging a healthier garden ecosystem.
Rosemary
Rosemary is another excellent choice when creating fly deterrent plant pots.
Rosemary releases aromatic oils whenever it's brushed against or warmed by the sun, the scent of which will help deter flies.
As a Mediterranean herb, rosemary loves sunshine and doesn't need frequent watering once established, making it one of the easiest low-maintenance patio plants available.
Position rosemary close to seating areas where people regularly brush past it to release even more fragrance.
Mint
Mint is one of the strongest-smelling herbs you can grow, that’s why it’s considered one of the best plants to deter flies. With such a strong smell, many flies and insects find it overpowering.
Mint can spread aggressively, so grow it in its own container rather than mixing it with other plants or planting it directly into borders.
If you regularly harvest it, you’ll keep the plant bushy and healthy throughout the growing season.
Marigolds
Marigolds have a distinctive scent that helps discourage a range of flying insects. All whilst delivering bright yellow and orange flowers that provide months of vibrant bloom.
Combine with lavender and rosemary to create beautiful mixed planters that deliver colour, fragrance and practical benefits all at once.
Deadheading spent flowers regularly will encourage even more blooms throughout summer.
How to create the best fly deterrent plant pots
You won’t be able to rely on a single variety, so combine several fragrant plants together to create layered scents.
A recommended arrangement could include:
- Lavender as the centrepiece for height and fragrance
- Rosemary to provide evergreen structure
- Marigolds planted around the edge for long-lasting colour
- Mint grown separately in its own nearby pot to prevent spreading
This combination creates one of the most attractive and effective fly-repellent plant displays that can be placed on patios, balconies, and garden seating areas.
Position your pots for maximum effect
Positioning is key to get the most from your fly repellent plants.
In order to get the most benefit from them, try these strategic positions:
- Around outdoor dining tables
- Beside garden furniture
- Near the patio and bi-fold doors
- Along pathways where brushing against the foliage helps release aromatic oils
- Close to BBQ areas and outdoor kitchens
Other ways to keep flies away naturally
Using plants that keep flies away will work even better when combined with a few simple garden maintenance habits such as emptying outdoor bins regularly and keeping lids closed.
Make sure to clean up food and drink spills immediately, especially sugary drinks, avoid leaving pet food outside for long periods, remove standing water where possible and keep compost bins well covered.
Enjoy a more comfortable summer garden
If you're looking for a natural alternative to chemical sprays, creating fly deterrent plant pots is one of the easiest and most attractive solutions.
While there isn't one miracle fly repellent plant that will solve the problem on its own, combining lavender, rosemary, mint and marigolds can help make your patio a far less inviting place for flies throughout the summer.
Better still, you'll be rewarded with beautiful containers packed with colour, fragrance and pollinator-friendly flowers, while also having fresh herbs on hand for cooking and summer drinks.
With the right combination of plants and good garden maintenance, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a more relaxing, more comfortable outdoor space all season long.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fly Repellent Plants
Lavender, rosemary, mint and marigolds are popular plants for making UK gardens and patios less appealing to flies. Their strongly scented flowers and foliage release aromatic compounds that flies may find unpleasant. For the best results, try grouping several fragrant plants around seating, dining and entrance areas rather than relying on one plant alone.
Lavender is one of the most popular fly repellent plants for UK gardens. Its distinctive fragrance may help deter flies, while its love of sunny, well-drained conditions makes it ideal for patio pots. Rosemary and mint are other strongly scented options that can be grown nearby to create a fragrant container display.
Flies can be sensitive to strong scents, which is why aromatic plants such as lavender, mint and rosemary are commonly used as natural fly deterrents. Rather than relying on one particular smell, combining several fragrant plants alongside good garden hygiene can help make outdoor seating and dining areas less attractive to flies.
Mint and rosemary are two of the best-known herbs used to help deter flies naturally. Both produce strongly scented aromatic oils and grow well in containers, making them particularly useful around patios and outdoor dining spaces. Mint is best kept in its own pot as it can spread quickly when planted directly into a border.
Lavender, rosemary and mint are good choices for pots near garden doors, patios and other entrances. Positioning fragrant plants where their foliage is likely to be brushed against can help release their natural aroma. While plants won't create a complete barrier against flies entering your home, they can form part of a natural approach to discouraging them.
Lavender's strong fragrance may help make an area less appealing to flies, making it a popular choice for fly deterrent plant pots. It's particularly well suited to sunny patios and outdoor seating areas and, as an added benefit, its purple flowers provide a valuable food source for bees and other pollinators.
The strong aroma produced by mint may help deter flies, which makes it a useful addition to patios and outdoor dining areas. Growing mint in a container is usually the best option, as it can spread rapidly when planted directly into the garden. Regularly picking the leaves can also encourage fresh, bushy growth.
Marigolds are often included in fly deterrent planting because of their distinctive scent. While they shouldn't be relied upon to keep flies away completely, they can be combined with aromatic plants such as lavender, rosemary and mint. Their colourful flowers also make them an attractive addition to summer pots and containers.
Place fragrant plants around the areas where flies cause the most disruption, such as patios, outdoor dining tables, BBQ areas and entrances to your home. Pots positioned beside pathways can also work well, as brushing against aromatic foliage such as rosemary or mint helps release its scent.
Fly deterrent plants work best alongside good outdoor hygiene. Keep bins and compost covered, clear away leftover food and sugary drinks, avoid leaving pet food outside and remove standing water where possible. Adding pots of lavender, rosemary, mint and marigolds can then provide an attractive, natural addition to your fly-control routine.