Snakes are slippery, slithering animals that give even the bravest of us the heebie-jeebies. We have the perfect solution to keep these legless creatures out of your backyard or garden.
You can forget about the snake repellent sprays which leave you smelling of a chemical factory. Now is the time to harness the power of the natural world and equip yourself with plants that make snakes flee faster than you can utter “hiss.”
The top 30 plants for a snake-free garden
- Marigolds These colorful flowers emit an odor that snakes dislike, which makes them a good snake repellent. Marigolds can be planted around the garden border or at entry points to deter snakes.
- Snake Plant (Mother-in Law’s Tongue) With its long and sharp leaves, Mother-in law’s tongue acts as a deterrent to snakes. This spikey plant will add a decorative element to any space while also keeping snakes away.
- The lemongrass is enough to make snakes run in the other direction. Lemongrass can be planted in pots or as a barrier around the garden or patio.
- Garlic The pungent smell of garlic repels snakes. It is a natural snake deterrent. You can either plant garlic bulbs in your garden to deter snakes or make a spray infused with garlic.
- Indian Snakeroot This perennial herb emits an odor that repels serpents. It is a must in any anti-snake arsenal. Plant Indian Snakeroot in your garden to keep snakes away.
- Wormwood Along with its bitter taste, the wormwood also emits a strong smell that snakes find very off-putting. To repel snakes, plant wormwood in your garden. You can also create sachets using dried wormwood.
- West Indian Lemongrass This variety has a citrusy scent similar to lemongrass that snakes dislike. Use West Indian Lemongrass essential oil or plant it in your garden to repel snakes.
- Tulbaghia Violacea This herb is a powerful snake repellent because it has a strong, garlic-like scent that snakes do not like. Plant Society Garlic in your garden or near entrance points to keep snakes away.
- Anions: Their pungent smell can deter snakes. You can create a snake-repellent barrier by planting onion bulbs in your garden or scattering chopped onions.
- Naphthalene Balls These old-fashioned mothballs emit a strong smell that snakes cannot stand. They are an effective snake repellent. Use naphthalene in bags or around areas that are snake-prone to repel snakes.
- The Rosemary With its powerful scent, this aromatic herb is not only a great way to add flavor to your dishes, but it also works as a snake repellent. Plant rosemary bushes around entrances, or use rosemary mulch to repel snakes.
- The calming scent of lavender is also a repellent to snakes. Use dried lavender sachets or lavender bushes to deter snakes from entering potential entry points.
- The mint is a refreshing scent that we enjoy, but snakes do not. Plant mint in pots or make a border of mint around your garden. This will deter snakes.
- Wormwood has a bitter flavor and a strong smell that snakes dislike. Create sachets using dried wormwood or plant wormwood in your garden to repel snakes.
- Fennel Fennel is a natural snake-repellent. To deter snakes, plant fennel around entrances and scatter seeds in your garden.
- Onion Chives: The pungent smell of onion chives is similar to that of onions and can deter snakes. Create a chive border or plant onion chives around your garden to deter snakes.
- The Geranium is a favorite garden plant because of its vibrant colors and pleasant fragrance. Their fragrance has an interesting effect on repelling snakes. Plant geraniums along paths or in containers to repel snakes.
- Sage Besides its culinary benefits, sage is also a natural snake repellent. Use dried sage to repel snakes.
- The Thyme This aromatic herb adds flavor to food but has properties that repel snakes. Use dried thyme to repel snakes by planting them near entrances.
- Garlic Chives The smell of garlic chives will deter snakes. To repel snakes, plant garlic chives around entrances and create a chive border.
- Catnip While it may attract cats, catnip is the opposite for snakes. Snakes are repelled by its strong smell. Snakes will stay away from catnip planted in containers or garden borders.
- Eucalyptus The distinctive aroma of eucalyptus is not only refreshing but also repels serpents. Use eucalyptus or eucalyptus oils to create a barrier that repels snakes.
- Tulsi, or Holy Basil : Tulsi is considered sacred by many cultures. It emits an unpleasant scent which snakes dislike. Use dried tulsi or plant tulsi around snake-prone areas.
- Shallots, Garlic, and Onions Plants in the family of alliums, such as onions, garlic, or shallots, are known for their strong smell, which snakes do not like. Plant different allium species for a snake-repelling effect.
- Wintergreen : Wintergreen’s strong, minty scent can keep snakes at bay. Use wintergreen oil or wintergreen shrubs to repel snakes.
- Citronella Citronella is known for its ability to repel mosquitoes. It also works as a snake deterrent. Use citronella oils or citronella plants to repel snakes.
- The Narcissus is a beautiful flower that not only beautifies your garden but also deters snakes. Plant narcissus in your garden or near entrance points to deter snakes.
- Oleander While oleander is toxic for humans and animals, its strong smell serves to deter snakes. Plant oleander plants around the perimeter of your home to deter snakes.
- Cinnamon Snakes do not like the scent of cinnamon. Use cinnamon essential oil or cinnamon powder to repel snakes in areas that are prone to them.
- Pennyroyal _ A herb with a strong minty smell that snakes dislike, Pennyroyal is a plant with sage-like properties. Use dried Pennyroyal near snake entry points or plant pennyroyal in your garden.
The scents of these plants deter snakes. You can eliminate snakes from your garden or outdoor areas by strategically incorporating plants.
Consider factors like climate, growing conditions, and any possible risks associated with specific plant species before introducing them into your space.
Plants repel snakes through various mechanisms, including smell, texture, and chemical properties.