I hate mosquitoes, but this low-maintenance flowering plant is my secret weapon to keep them at bay on my patio this summer

Nothing ruins a relaxing evening in my garden faster than mosquitoes buzzing about. When I hear the little whine near my ear, I'm straight back inside, as for some reason they love me, but the feeling isn't mutual.

Unbeknownst to me, I've actually been fighting back all along. I originally planted catmint by my seating area because I wanted a pollinator-friendly display, and if I'm being honest, my cat absolutely loves it too. It turns out, though, that accidental placement is exactly what experts recommend if you want this mosquito-repellent plant to help keep mosquitoes at bay.

Sitting in the planter and in pots, experts recommend giving the leaves a little rub and brushing past the ones closer to the ground every day so they're perfectly positioned to release the natural oils whenever the leaves are disturbed. Which is, in fact, the secret to making catmint work in the fight against mozzies.

How catmint can help keep mosquitoes away

Catmint (or Nepeta) contains a naturally occurring compound called nepetalactone, which experts say mosquitoes find irritating.

Gardening expert Lucie Bradley from Easy Garden Irrigation explains that the plant only releases this natural defence when its leaves are disturbed.

'It is only brushing against the plants which releases the scent to then act as a deterrent,' she explains. 'There is no point simply placing a pot containing a catmint plant on your patio and expecting it to repel mosquitoes just because it's there. It needs to be brushed against, or its leaves rubbed to release the natural oils.'

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Where I've planted my catmint

My catmint (Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant', from £9.99 at Thompson & Morgan) in the large planter sits beside my outdoor seating where it's within reach, and I have a few more posts dotted around the patio so I naturally give them a rub or quick fly-by.

According to Richard Barker, horticulture expert at LBS Horticulture, that's exactly where the plant works best.

'Planting catmint near seating areas, patios or doorways can be beneficial because it makes the leaves easily reachable for crushing when you are outdoors. Brushing the plant as you walk by will release some of the scent into the air, but this is not as effective as crushing the leaves.'

Luxury garden designer Jo McGarry from Caragh Nurseries recommends placing it where you spend the most time outdoors. 'Catmint is a great plant to have on the patio, especially if you're looking for natural ways to make your outdoor space a bit more comfortable in summer,' she explains.

Lucie agrees that positioning is everything, recommending growing catmint close to seating areas or in borders surrounding patios where the foliage can be brushed regularly. She adds that once the oils are released, they remain effective for around 20 to 30 minutes before you'll need to disturb the leaves again.

While the mosquito-repelling properties may have persuaded me to buy more catmint, I'd happily grow it for its looks alone. The lavender-blue flower spikes soften the edges of my patio perfectly, flower for months and attract plenty of bees.

And as Jo points out, that's what makes it such a worthwhile addition. She explains that it's not a magic solution, and it won't stop every mozzie from showing up, but it's an easy plant to add alongside other ways of keeping them away (like using scent). Plus it looks lovely while it's doing the job.

It's also refreshingly low-maintenance, says Jo. 'It loves a sunny spot, copes well if you forget to water it now and then and flowers for months. If you're growing it in pots, I'd keep them close to where you sit so you can enjoy both the flowers and the extra benefit when you're eating and relaxing outside.'

Lucie also recommends choosing Nepeta cataria (also known as catnip), which you can pick up at Crocus for £7.99 for a 9cm pot, if mosquito deterrence is your priority, as it contains particularly high levels of nepetalactone, while the popular 'Walker's Low' variety, from £8.99 at Crocus, offers beautiful lavender-blue flower spikes and the same easy-going nature.

Whether you're battling mosquitoes or simply looking for one of the best low-maintenance container plants to grow, catmint ticks an impressive number of boxes. It's a beautiful cottage garden plant, it's easy to care for, and it's wildlife-friendly.

So, if rubbing a few leaves before settling down outside helps keep the mozzies away, that's a gardening trick I'll happily keep up all summer.