Grubs might be small, but they can cause big problems in your garden.
These little larvae hide beneath the soil, chewing on roots and weakening your plants from the ground up.
Before you know it, your once-thriving garden can turn into a patch of struggling, yellowing plants that just won’t grow right.
The good news?
You don’t need to rely on chemicals to keep grubs away.
Certain plants act as natural repellents, driving these pesky insects out of your soil and protecting your garden the way nature intended.
By planting the right herbs, flowers, and vegetables, you can create a garden that grubs simply don’t want to live in.
Let’s take a look at some of the best plants to keep grubs away—and how to use them effectively.
Marigolds
Marigolds may be small, but they pack a powerful punch when it comes to keeping grubs away.
These bright, cheerful flowers don’t just make your garden look beautiful—they also work as natural pest repellents.
Grubs and many other garden pests hate the smell of marigolds, making them an excellent addition to your pest-fighting strategy.
Marigolds contain a natural chemical called pyrethrin, which is toxic to many insects, including grubs.
When planted in and around your garden, marigolds release this chemical into the soil, creating an environment that grubs want nothing to do with.
The best way to use marigolds against grubs is to plant them as a border around your garden beds.
If you’re dealing with a heavy grub infestation, consider planting marigolds throughout your vegetable or flower beds as well.
The more marigolds, the stronger the protective barrier.
One thing to remember is that not all marigolds are equally effective.
The French marigold (Tagetes patula) is the best variety for repelling pests, while some other types, like African marigolds, are less potent.
For maximum effectiveness, plant marigolds in early spring so they have time to grow before grub season peaks.
Once established, they require little maintenance and will keep your garden safe from pests while adding a pop of color.
Not only do marigolds repel grubs, but they also deter other pests like aphids, nematodes, and whiteflies.
This makes them a must-have for any organic garden that relies on natural pest control.
With marigolds in your garden, you’ll enjoy healthier plants, fewer grubs, and a landscape bursting with vibrant blooms.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are more than just pretty flowers—they are one of nature’s strongest insect repellents.
These hardy, long-lasting blooms contain pyrethrins, the same powerful compound found in marigolds, but in even higher concentrations.
Because of this, chrysanthemums act like a natural pesticide, making them highly effective at keeping grubs and other garden pests at bay.
When planted in your garden, chrysanthemums create an invisible shield that pests—including grubs—refuse to cross.
The strong scent and chemical properties of the plant disrupt the life cycle of many insects, preventing them from laying eggs in your soil.
This means fewer grubs hatching and causing damage to your plants.
To use chrysanthemums against grubs, plant them in late spring or early summer around the edges of your garden beds.
They do best in full sun and well-drained soil, making them easy to grow in most climates.
For even more pest protection, consider planting chrysanthemums near your most vulnerable plants, such as vegetables, herbs, or delicate flowers.
If you’re dealing with a serious grub problem, you can also use chrysanthemum-based sprays made from the dried flowers.
These sprays can be applied directly to the soil to create a stronger repellent effect.
Another benefit of chrysanthemums is that they repel more than just grubs.
They also keep away mosquitoes, ants, ticks, and roaches, making them an excellent all-around pest deterrent for your garden and home.
By adding chrysanthemums to your landscape, you’ll enjoy a natural, chemical-free way to protect your plants while enhancing your garden’s beauty.
Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions may be kitchen staples, but they also serve as powerful weapons against grubs.
Their strong, pungent scent acts as a natural deterrent, keeping grubs and many other garden pests away from your soil.
When planted strategically, garlic and onions create a protective barrier that grubs simply don’t want to cross.
The secret behind their effectiveness lies in their natural sulfur compounds.
These compounds are released into the soil as the plants grow, creating an environment that is unpleasant for grubs.
The smell and taste of garlic and onions disrupt the feeding habits of grubs, discouraging them from settling in your garden.
The best way to use garlic and onions to repel grubs is to plant them as companion plants around vulnerable crops.
Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce benefit greatly from this natural pest control method.
If you have flower beds that are constantly under grub attack, interplanting garlic and onions among the flowers can help keep them safe.
For an even stronger defense, you can make a garlic spray by blending garlic cloves with water and spraying it directly onto the soil.
This enhances the repellent effect and helps keep your garden grub-free.
Beyond deterring grubs, garlic and onions also keep away aphids, beetles, and other garden pests.
They require little maintenance, grow well in various soil conditions, and provide a bonus harvest for your kitchen.
By adding garlic and onions to your garden, you’ll enjoy healthier plants, fewer grubs, and a steady supply of fresh ingredients for your meals.
Neem
Neem is a plant that many gardeners swear by for natural pest control, and for good reason.
This powerful plant contains azadirachtin, a natural compound that interferes with the life cycle of grubs and other pests.
Unlike chemical pesticides, neem doesn’t just kill pests—it disrupts their ability to grow and reproduce, leading to a long-term reduction in their population.
Neem can be used in two ways to keep grubs out of your garden.
First, planting neem trees or neem plants near your garden beds will help naturally repel grubs.
The strong scent of the plant keeps many insects away, including those that lay eggs in the soil.
Second, neem oil can be used as an organic treatment to target grubs directly.
By mixing neem oil with water and spraying it onto the soil, you can create an environment that stops grubs from feeding and growing.
The best time to apply neem oil is in early spring, just as grubs begin to hatch.
This interrupts their growth cycle before they can cause serious damage to your plants.
For a more aggressive approach, neem oil can also be mixed with compost and added to garden beds to enrich the soil while keeping pests away.
Neem is not only effective against grubs but also works against a wide range of insects, including aphids, beetles, and caterpillars.
Because it is completely natural, it won’t harm beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs, making it a safe choice for organic gardening.
With neem in your garden, you’ll have a powerful, chemical-free tool for protecting your plants while maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Lavender: Beauty, Fragrance, and Grub Protection in One
Lavender is known for its soothing scent and gorgeous purple flowers, but it also happens to be a natural grub repellent.
While humans love the calming aroma of lavender, grubs and other insects find it overwhelming and unpleasant.
The strong scent of lavender masks the smells that attract pests, making it difficult for adult beetles to find a place to lay their eggs.
This means fewer grubs in the soil and less damage to your plants.
Lavender is best planted around the edges of your garden or near vulnerable plants that need extra protection.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent companion plant for vegetable gardens, flower beds, and even potted plants.
To increase its effectiveness, you can crush lavender leaves and sprinkle them around your garden beds.
This releases the plant’s natural oils into the soil, strengthening the repellent effect.
For an added layer of defense, you can also make a lavender spray by steeping dried lavender in water and spraying it onto the soil.
This method works especially well in areas where grubs have already started to appear.
Lavender not only keeps grubs away but also deters mosquitoes, moths, and flies.
As a bonus, it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping your garden thrive in more ways than one.
By planting lavender, you’ll enjoy a more beautiful and fragrant garden while keeping destructive pests far away.
Final Thoughts
Grubs may be a gardener’s worst nightmare, but you don’t need harsh chemicals to get rid of them.
Nature provides plenty of solutions, and by planting the right flowers, herbs, and vegetables, you can create a garden that naturally repels these pests.
Marigolds and chrysanthemums act as powerful grub deterrents with their insect-repelling compounds.
Garlic and onions keep grubs away with their strong scent while providing a useful harvest.
Neem offers long-term protection by disrupting the life cycle of grubs, and lavender creates an environment that pests simply don’t want to be in.
By using these plants strategically, you can protect your garden without harming the environment or beneficial insects.
With the right approach, you’ll enjoy healthier soil, stronger plants, and a grub-free garden that thrives all season long.