There's nothing worse than setting up a wonderful feast or sundown cocktail-sipping setup outdoors only to find yourself perpetually harassed by unwanted visitors — and by unwanted visitors, I mean flies and bugs.
My mom and I were chatting about this very thing the other day, and she explained that she'd heard great things about basil plants being very effective at repelling flies and bugs, and that by popping one of these pest control plants on your outdoor table you can significantly limit the nuisance that these bugs bring.
Better yet, you can pick up a basil plant from your local supermarket for less than £2 — like this basil plant for £1.50 at Sainsbury's — so if there's one thing to buy this bank holiday weekend, let it be this. I spoke to the experts to get into exactly how it works, and why it's my favorite new addition to my outdoor table setting.
How Does Basil Repel Bugs and Flies?
"Basil is a natural way to keep unwanted insects at bay when you’re outdoors. The strong, pungent scent of basil leaves smells good to us, but flies and mosquitoes find it unpleasant, which makes it an easy, short-term insect repellent," says gardening expert Kathi Rogers.
As gardening expert, Tony O'Neill explains, "Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is more than just a kitchen herb; it's a natural pest deterrent, particularly for outdoor areas. The plant contains essential oils like linalool, eugenol, and citronellol, which give it its distinct aroma.
"These compounds are known to disrupt the scent receptors of insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and even aphids, making it harder for them to locate food or breeding sites."
So whether you grow basil in your indoor herb garden, or outdoors, or if (like me) you'll just pick one up at your local supermarket, by placing a basil plant (obviously it needs to be a healthy one) on your outdoor table, it "can reduce fly activity in that immediate area," says Tony.
"Its strong scent forms an aromatic shield, especially when the leaves are brushed or lightly disturbed, which increases the release of its essential oils," he explains.
Gardening expert Kathi Rogers agrees, explaining that she grows basil in pots as well as in her vegetable garden, so that it's easy to move the plants around her patio when she is eating or relaxing outdoors.
"Not only does basil help to deter flies and other insects, it adds a splash of green and a handy supply of leaves for snipping into drinks or salads," Kathi says.
A cocktail garnish, salad ingredient and an insect-repellent, all rolled into one handy table item? Oh yes, please!
"Crushing and rubbing basil leaves on exposed skin also seems to help repel these insects," Kathi continues.
Tony O'Neill is a gardening expert, a No.1 best-selling author, and an award-winning educator with over 40 years of hands-on gardening experience. With over 455,000 subscribers and 1.4 million monthly views on his YouTube channel, Simplify Gardening, Tony has become one of the most trusted voices in modern home gardening. His mission is simple: to make growing food accessible, efficient, and deeply rewarding for everyone, regardless of space, age, or experience. In 2025, Simplify Vegetable Gardening was awarded the prestigious Silver Laurel Award, recognizing its outstanding contribution to gardening education. Tony continues to inspire a global audience through his content, public speaking, and commitment to helping people grow more with less.
Kathi Rodgers is the CEO and writer at Oak Hill Homestead and the voice behind HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast. With decades of vegetable gardening experience, she helps others grow healthy, productive gardens, no matter their space or skill level. Founded in 2006, Oak Hill Homestead is where Kathi teaches new gardeners how to dig in and grow their dreams.
If you're not heading to the supermarket, get this 9cm basil plant delivered to your door instead.
5 Tips for Using Basil Outdoors to Repel Bugs
Basil is rated top in our kitchen plants edit, bringing you joy in both indoor and outdoor living setups.
Tony O'Neill has shared his five top tips for using basil plants outdoors to repel flies, mosquitoes, and other unwanted pests from ruining your next summer garden party:
1. Use multiple small pots — "Instead of just one basil plant, scatter a few smaller pots around the table or seating area to create a perimeter of scent."
2. Give it sunlight — "Basil thrives in full sun, which also enhances its aroma-producing oils. A sunny table spot doubles its pest-repelling power."
3. Water correctly — "Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. A stressed basil plant is less aromatic and less effective."
4. Pinch leaves often — "Regularly pinching or harvesting leaves not only promotes bushy growth but also releases more of the scent that keeps bugs away."
5. Combine with other herbs — "Pair basil with rosemary, mint, or lemon balm for a multi-herb barrier. Each adds its own repelling properties to the mix."
This Grow Your Own Herb Garden Kit on Amazon would make a cute gift and is a great way to share the joys of pest-repelling basil with its accompanying mint and coriander counterparts (which can also repel certain insects).
Planters to Display Your Bug-Repelling Basil
Why not create an outdoor table centerpiece with your basil plant(s)? I love these windowsill planters — who says they're just for windowsills; the long, thin design makes them perfect to add color and flair (and pest-repelling plants) to your table display without taking up too much space.
Plus, you can use them as a windowsill planter or standard display pot inside your home when you're not entertaining outdoors.
This chic, dark blue-green metal planter is serving me modern minimalist vibes that will work in any space.
Stripes are, of course, one of this year's biggest pattern trends, and I love the bold colorway of this windowsill planter — it's also available in green and ochre variations.
Also available in black or light gray, this plant box is ideal for small spaces or tables, with customers commenting on its quality and practicality.
Plant Pots to Help You Water Your Basil Plant
If you're interested in knowing how to grow your own basil, Leanne Kilroy, founder of Good Bones London, explains to our home wellness writer Amiya Baratan that the key is in hydrating it correctly.
"The trick to a thriving basil plant is, at its most basic, watering from the bottom only and keeping the saucer full of water," she says.
As such, here are a selection of my favorite, design-forward plant pots with saucers on the market right now to help you grow your basil plant to heady heights for extra bug-repelling strength.
I am obsessed with this plant pot. The colors are gorgeous (and there are plenty of other color combinations to choose from) and I love the contrast in textures, too.
You can always rely on Holloways of Ludlow to provide a practical, yet modern design. This plant pot is made of lightweight and durable polystone for style that stands the test of time.
One customer wrote of this piece: "Probably the most expensive flowerpot I've ever bought, but also by far the most valuable. Great design and well thought-out with the removable base." Enough said!
This stoneware flowerpot, designed by sisters Anna and Clara of 'Garden Elegance', will bring a hit of joyful color to any space.
Available in large, medium and small sizes, as well as four colorways, this planter oozes sophistication and one particular customer commented on how their most thriving plant lived in this planter.
A new arrival in H&M's latest homeware collection, this stylish, 100% terracotta planter is available in dark brown (featured), light beige and dark khaki green.
This indoor/outdoor terracotta plant pot from IKEA is also great as a simple, transitional pot to ferry around your basil plant to wherever it's needed most in your modern garden.
And now that you know how to keep those pesky bugs at bay, make sure you're up to speed on the outdoor hosting mistakes to avoid to guarantee you have a successful summer soirée.
