Aphid Repellent Plants

Aphids, also known as plant lice, are a common pest found in many gardens. The aphid causes damage to plants by sucking sap from plant tissue, which leads to wilting, leaf curl, yellowing and death. Various herbs, flowers and vegetables are known for their ability to repel aphids. Gardeners who wish to avoid using chemicals on their crops can place aphid repellent plants around trees and in vegetable and flower gardens to keep plants aphid-free.

Herbs

Herbs not only help flavor foods but also act as an aphid repellent in the garden. Planting basil near your tomato and pepper plants stops aphids from damaging your crops. Feverfew is known to draw aphids away from roses; grow it around rose bushes to stop aphids from harming their delicate leaves and flowers. Aphids are repelled by the foul smell and taste of rue. Plant rue near roses, raspberries, lavender and fig trees keeps them aphid-free. Growing chervil near your lettuce prevents aphids from eating the leaves. Spearmint and peppermint repel aphids and their flower attracts beneficial insects to your garden. Chives, coriander, pennyroyal, catnip and dill are other helpful herbs that keep aphids away from vegetables, trees and flowers.

Flowers

Planting aphid-repellent flowers in your garden provides natural protection against damaging aphids. Sources at Michigan State University say marigolds are considered a garden workhorse and protect plants from a variety of insects, including aphids. Marigolds keep potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplants as well as roses and most types of bulbs safe from the destructive aphid. Nasturtium is a trap crop for aphids and works well when grown near cabbage, radishes and under fruit trees. Petunias deter aphids from beans and apple trees. Geraniums are known aphid repellents. Plant them among grapes and roses.

Vegetables

Members of the allium family, including onions, shallots, leeks and garlic, are vegetables that work as a natural repellent against aphids. Planting these crops in your garden or around fruit trees and among flowers will keep them safe from aphid damage. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension, garlic acts as an aphid repellent for roses and raspberries. Onions keep aphids from harming lettuce, beets, tomatoes and cabbage. Don't plant onions near peas and beans because it may alter their growth. The turnip is another vegetable that wards off aphids, it is especially helpful to peas but should not be placed close to potatoes.