Plants which ward off mosquitoes

There are some fabulous herbs out therethatcanserveas fantastic repellents, writes Stephanie Choo

WHILE we may find the scent of culinary herbs pleasant, a whiff of the same can irritate pesky mosquitoes, to a certain extent. So you may want to plant some in places where you want to keep insects away.

They can be kept small in pots and fit into just about anywhere. But, which herbs are ideal for growing in those places? It all depends on the amount of sunlight available.

Like any other plants, herbs also have specific requirements as to how much sun they need to thrive. They generally like to have plenty of sunlight. Some, however, can tolerate shade and there are those that actually prefer it.

SUN-LOVING HERBS

For that pungent mosquito-repelling odour at sunny spots, grow rosemary (botanically named Rosmarinus officinalis). This perennial needs a full sun or at least six hours of it, humid air and good ventilation to grow strong, and they produce a heavy aroma.

The plant can be kept small, below 30cm high, with regular pruning. Water it daily during good weather. Plant rosemary in fertile soil with good drainage. Its young stem and leaves have the freshest taste and are often used for seasoning poultry and lamb meat. Harvest no more than onethird

Rosemary is a sun worshipper.

of the stem length at any one time so that the plant will have enough time to regrow. Tend other herbs the same way too.

The other sun-loving herb is English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Unfortunately this perennial originates from a hot arid climate, so while it tolerates heat, it cannot bear high humidity. Also too much rain and wet soil can be stressful for the plant.

LIGHT SHADE-TOLERANT HERBS

If you can’t find a place with bright direct sunlight, choose to grow herbs like sage (Salvia officinalis), basil (Ocimum basilicum), dill (Anethum graveolens), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), chives (Allium schoenoprasum), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and tarragon

Mint prefers cool moist locations in partial shade but it grows in full sun spots too.

Lavenders are not well suited to humid climates. They struggle to survive here. • Feed herbs with organic garden compost or well-rotted cow, goat or chicken manure.

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Rosemary, lavender, oregano and thyme are from the Mediterranean regions.These droughttolerant herbs require less water. Their aroma and flavour will be heavier when planted in soil that’s not too rich or overly fertilised.

Pinch off flower buds to keep herbs focussed on growing leaves instead of setting seeds.

day. Sunlight forces the herb to produce the essential oil that gives out flavour and aroma. So if the herb isn’t getting sufficient sunlight, it will lack flavour besides being less aromatic. The herb will grow lanky and will also not flower.

SHADE-TOLERANT HERBS

Some great options are marjoram (Origanum majorana), chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) and mint (Menthesp.). They can be grown in partial shade or dappled shade locations where the sun is filtered by a tree or blocked by a building structure from the afternoon sun.

Cilantro, for example, has a short life-cycle and bolts quickly in hot locations. When the soil temperature rises above 23˚Celsius, the annual sends up tall flower stalks and its vegetative growth ends. The leaves will become bitter and tough.

For tastier and bigger cilantro leaves, grow the plant in locations with less heat and sunlight. Just ensure that the plant receives four to six hours of sunlight each day. Keep soil slightly moist at all times and never overwater the plant.