Wasps can be a real nuisance in the garden, ruining outdoor gatherings, and making it difficult to enjoy your outdoor spaces.
But what if there was a natural way to keep these pesky insects at bay?
Enter pennyroyal, a strong-smelling plant with insect-repelling properties that create a more wasp-free environment for you and your family to enjoy.
What Is Pennyroyal?
Pennyroyal is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family, known for its strong, minty aroma. Its leaves, when crushed, emit a fragrance similar to spearmint, but the plant is a different species and not the same as spearmint.
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European Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides) are two distinct types of pennyroyal plants. Both types of pennyroyal are known for their minty fragrance and are used in herbal remedies, culinary applications, and as decorative elements in gardens. However, they differ in their growth habits, flower colors, and native regions.
European Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
European Pennyroyal is a spreading perennial herb with upright stems that produce whorls of pale purple flowers in mid to late summer.
The small oval leaves are medium green and droop from stalks that can grow up to a foot tall. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Its bloom time is specifically mid to late summer.
American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides)
American Pennyroyal is a low-growing perennial herb with a square stem and tiny, slim leaves. It produces pale blue flower clusters that are dried and distilled for oils.
It is native to eastern North America from the Dakotas to Nova Scotia and south to Georgia and Arkansas. It blooms in July to September.
How Pennyroyal Repels Wasps
Pennyroyal is known for its pungent aroma that can be off-putting to many insects, including wasps (ref). The active ingredient in pennyroyal that deters wasps is a compound called pulegone.
This substance is believed to interfere with the wasp’s sense of smell, making it difficult for them to locate food sources and nesting sites near the plant. Consider planting pennyroyal in herb, flower, or vegetable gardens to naturally deter pests.
How to Cultivate Pennyroyal in Your Garden
Growing pennyroyal is relatively easy and can be done from seed or by dividing existing plants. It thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. Once established, pennyroyal can spread quickly, so keep it contained or plant it in areas where it can spread freely without encroaching on other plants.
Both European and American pennyroyal plants have their preferences when it comes to soil and hardiness. While European pennyroyal thrives in moisture-rich soil, American pennyroyal prefers a drier environment. In terms of hardiness, European pennyroyal is resilient in USDA zones 6 through 9, while its American counterpart remains hardy in zones 5 through 9.
Can Pennyroyal Be Combined with Other Plants for a Wasp-Free Yard?
While pennyroyal is an effective wasp deterrent on its own, it can be even more powerful when combined with other strong-smelling plants.
Herbs like lavender, rosemary, basil, and thyme can also help repel wasps and create a more inviting atmosphere for you and your guests. By putting a variety of wasp-repelling plants into your garden, you can create a natural barrier against these unwanted visitors.
Pennyroyal into your garden is a simple and effective way to keep wasps at bay and create a more pleasant outdoor space. With its strong aroma, easy cultivation, and pest control benefits, pennyroyal is a versatile plant that deserves a spot in any garden.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.