12 Best Plants That Repel Spiders For Your Home and Garden

Spiders in your house? A few plants that repel spiders can drive them back outdoors. Lavender, peppermint, and chrysanthemum are particularly effective. Basil, rosemary, and lemongrass will also help. Each emits a scent that spiders would prefer to avoid. 

If you're unsure what's growing on your windowsill, Botan can identify any plant from a photo in seconds. Its flower identifier is helpful when you can't tell a chrysanthemum from a marigold. It can also specify if a plant is safe for your pets.

Quick Selection Chart 

Review this chart before you start making your selection. It sorts options by their benefits and pet safety.

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1. Lavender

Ask any gardener — lavender is almost always at the top of the list of spider-repelling plants. Spiders hate the scent, which is soothing to us. The oils in its flowers confuse spiders. It's also one of the best bedroom plants because it helps you relax before sleeping. 

• Name: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Plant Type: Perennial shrub (herb)
• Mature Size: 2–3 ft (60–90 cm) tall
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Low
• Best Placement: Sunny windowsill, doorway, or patio
• Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs
• Spider-repelling strength: Strong

2. Peppermint

This refreshing menthol scent is exactly what spiders don't like. It's no wonder peppermint oil features in many pest studies. The fresh plant is gentler than the oil, but it still deserves a place in your home. Just be sure to grow it in a pot, as it spreads quickly and takes over a garden bed. 

• Name: Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
• Plant Type: Perennial herb
• Mature Size: 1–2 ft (30–60 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Partial – full sun
• Water Needs: Moderate–high
• Best Placement: Containers near entrances
• Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs
• Spider-repelling strength: Strong

3. Basil

Most people grow basil for their kitchen. However, its strong and sharp leaves also repel spiders and flies — one pot on a windowsill will be enough. It's a rare species among indoor plants that repel spiders, and it’s non-toxic to your cat or dog.

• Name: Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Plant Type: Annual herb
• Mature Size: 12–24 in (30–60 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Best Placement: Windowsill in the kitchen
• Pet Safety: Non-toxic
• Spider-repelling strength: Mild–moderate

4. Rosemary

It is easy to grow because it's not too picky about conditions. Its sharp, pine-like aroma repels spiders and other crawling insects. Plus, the plant is drought- and heat-tolerant. Place a pot by the back door and let it keep spiders away. 

• Name: Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
• Plant Type: Evergreen shrub (herb)
• Mature Size: 2–4 ft (60–120 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Low
• Best Placement: Doorstep pots or kitchen
• Pet Safety: Non-toxic
• Spider-repelling strength: Moderate

5. Lemongrass

Have you ever wondered what's inside those summer patio candles? It's citronellal, and lemongrass is absolutely chock-full of it. Spiders and mosquitoes stay away from it, which makes it one of the most effective plants that keep spiders away. It quickly grows tall in a spacious pot. 

• Name: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
• Plant Type: Tender perennial grass
• Mature Size: 2–4 ft (60–120 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Moderate to high
• Best Placement: Patio, deck, and large containers
• Pet Safety: Toxic to cats (mild)
• Spider-repelling strength: Strong

6. Eucalyptus

One whiff of the eucalyptus aroma and you'll understand why bugs avoid it. A few cut sprigs in a vase will freshen the room and repel spiders. Potted plants are grown outdoors in warm weather. The scent fades as the sprigs dry out, so you should replace them periodically. 

• Name: Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea)
• Plant Type: Evergreen tree/shrub
• Mature Size: 3–6 ft (90–180 cm) potted; much taller in ground
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Best Placement: Cut sprigs indoors or potted on the patio
• Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs
• Spider-repelling strength: Strong

7. Chrysanthemum

Few people ask what plants keep spiders away and think of chrysanthemums. Of all the plants on this list, they have the most tangible evidence of effectiveness. Their petals contain pyrethrins, the same natural compound used in bug sprays. 

• Name: Chrysanthemum / Mums (Chrysanthemum × morifolium)
• Plant Type: Perennial flowering
• Mature Size: 1–3 ft (30–90 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Best Placement: Flower beds, borders, and porch pots
• Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs
• Spider-repelling strength: Strong

8. Marigold

Many gardeners deliberately plant marigolds along vegetable beds. The roots and flowers emit a smell that most bugs would prefer to avoid. They have been a favorite companion plant for many generations. Leave a few near the doors and windows just in case.

• Name: Marigold (Tagetes erecta)
• Plant Type: Annual flowering
• Mature Size: 6 in–3 ft (15–90 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Best Placement: Borders, vegetable beds, and window boxes
• Pet Safety: Mildly toxic (causes skin and gastrointestinal disorders)
• Spider-repelling strength: Moderate

9. Lemon Balm

Rub a lemon balm leaf, and you'll smell a mild lemony scent. It smells like mint, so insects generally don't touch it. Among spider-repelling plants, it's quite gentle. Best of all, it's harmless if your pet chews it. 

• Name: Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Plant Type: Perennial herb
• Mature Size: 1–2 ft (30–60 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Best Placement: Shady porch and containers
• Pet Safety: Non-toxic
• Spider-repelling strength: Mild–moderate

10. Catnip

Your cat will absolutely love catnip. Nepeta cataria leaves contain nepetalactone, which insects hate. It's funny, but the plant your cat loves so much quietly repels spiders. Keep it away from the door; otherwise, you'll attract all the cats outside.

• Name: Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
• Plant Type: Perennial herb
• Mature Size: 2–3 ft (60–90 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
• Water Needs: Low–moderate
• Best Placement: Outdoor beds and away from entryways
• Pet Safety: Non-toxic (cats adore it)
• Spider-repelling strength: Moderate

11. Sage

People have been burning sage for centuries to rid their homes of pests. Both dried leaves and the living plant have a repellent effect against spiders and other insects. Salvia officinalis won't top the list of plants that repel spiders. However, it's an excellent choice for a sunny herb bed. 

• Name: Sage (Salvia officinalis)
• Plant Type: Evergreen perennial herb
• Mature Size: 1–2 ft (30–60 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Low
• Best Placement: Herb garden, or sunny sill
• Pet Safety: Generally non-toxic
• Spider-repelling strength: Mild–moderate

12. Citronella Grass

Anyone who's struggled with mosquitoes in July is familiar with citronella. The same lemon oil also repels spiders. It requires warmth and full sun to thrive. In colder regions, you can consider it a warm-weather plant. 

• Name: Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus)
• Plant Type: Tender perennial grass
• Mature Size: 2–6 ft (60–180 cm)
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Best Placement: Big patio pots and borders
• Pet Safety: Toxic to pets
• Spider-repelling strength: Strong

Alternative Botanical Repellent Solutions

Plants have an off-season, and their activity significantly decreases in winter. The scent weakens, and spiders notice this. When your herbs stop repelling insects, a few alternatives can compensate:

• Essential oils. A few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil in water, sprayed on baseboards, provide good results for the price.
• Vinegar spray. Mix half white vinegar and half water. The smell is not too strong for us, but remains noticeable to spiders.
• Diatomaceous earth. This chalky powder breaks down spider shells. Sprinkle it in corners and cracks.
• Cedar. Hide cedar blocks in closets and drawers. Its oils act as a quiet natural repellent.
• Citrus peels. Rub fresh peels on windowsills and thresholds. Repeat every few days for a maximum result.
• Lavender leaves. Scatter dried bay leaves on shelves and in corners. Spiders hate the strong herbal scent.
• Cinnamon and cloves. Boil a few sticks on the stove or place whole cloves near cracks. Both emit a scent that insects hate.
• Neem oil. This plant oil is also a gentle insect repellent. You must mix it with water and spray where needed.

Each of these spider repellent methods is not 100% effective. Alternate two or three remedies, and you'll always be one step ahead. Combine a couple of them with your plants for best results, especially during the colder months. 

A quick sweep of cobwebs once a week will help get rid of spiders completely. Also, seal cracks around windows and pipes with caulk — spiders won't be able to get indoors.

Why You Shouldn't Repel Every Spider

Most spiders are actually harmless and won't bite you. Just one spider can kill hundreds of pests in a year. It catches flies, mosquitoes, and aphids for free. Kill them all, and you'll lose this free help. Garden spiders are valuable for natural pest control, so let outdoor spiders do their job.

Leave the real problem to the few that bite. These are mainly black widows and brown recluses. You can leave the rest of the bugs alone. Aim your plants and sprayers at doorways and dark corners, not at the webs that quietly work in your yard.