Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube
    GardenBeast
    • All Articles
    • Sections
      • Features
      • Food
      • Plants
      • Flowers
      • Shrubs
      • Trees
      • Palms
      • Succulents
      • Cacti
      • Backyard
      • Reviews
      • Entertainment
      • Questions
      • Homesteading
    • Free eBooks
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube
    GardenBeast
    Questions

    What Are The Best Snake Repellent Plants? What You Should Grow

    One natural and aesthetically pleasing way to deter snakes from coming into your territory is by planting some deterrents.
    Hollie CarterBy Hollie CarterMarch 28, 2022
    What Are The Best Snake Repellent Plants? What You Should Grow
    What Are The Best Snake Repellent Plants? What You Should Grow
    Affiliate Disclosure: We independently test & research all products reviewed on the site. We may earn a small commission if you buy through one of our links. This does not affect our reviews or placement of products on the site.

    Snakes are probably the last thing you think about when planting a garden or even choosing a home. However, no matter where you live, snakes are bound to be a part of your natural environment. Simple garden snakes are not venomous, however, they can still bite or even cause a scare.

    Plenty of harmful snakes can also make their way into your home, garden, or yard. There are a few ways you can protect against snakes such as by using deterrent sprays and even electronic pulses. These methods are useful, however, they are not always effective. Thankfully there are a few other options to consider.

    One natural and aesthetically pleasing way to deter snakes from coming into your territory is by planting some deterrents. No, we are not talking about hidden traps, but rather actual plants that repel snakes and a few other pests at the same time. As a rule, snakes detest plants that have strong noxious smells, even garden snakes are repelled by odors given off by certain plants.

    While some of these plants may also offend human noses, they can serve as an effective barrier around the edge of your garden, yard, or walkway. In most instances, snakes won’t even bother trying to get past them to see what’s on the other side.

    Table of Contents

    • What Attracts Snakes To Yards And Gardens?
    • How Does Fragrance Repel Snakes?
    • Marigold Plants
    • Andrographis Paniculata Plants
    • Mugwort Plants
    • Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Plant
    • Tobacco Plants
    • Garlic Plants
    • Pink Agapanthus Plants
    • Snakeroot Plants
    • West Indian Lemongrass

    What Attracts Snakes To Yards And Gardens?

    Snakes have been around since the dawn of time, and while we know a lot about these slithery critters, there is still so much more to be learned. One common question many homeowners and gardeners have is why do snakes like to lurk in gardens and yards. Quite simply, snakes may be excellent hunters, but any animal offered a steady source of food and a comfortable place to live will prefer that overhunting in the wild.

    Gardens, yards, and even homes offer snakes plenty of slugs, rodents, and insects to eat. In addition, being cold-blooded animals, they also will appreciate all of the cool nooks and crannies your property has to offer.

    How Does Fragrance Repel Snakes?

    All snakes have a specific part of their anatomy called the Jacobson’s organ. This organ helps them to find shelter, water, and even food. It is very sensitive to strong odors and harsh scents, which is why they are repelled by some types of plants. Some plants have such strong odors that it will render a snake unable to hunt, which of course means they won’t be able to survive.

    Creating an unpleasant and inhospitable environment in your yard or garden will naturally keep these slithery visitors at bay with no harm to your family or the snakes. Now that you have the basic information, let’s dive into which plants you should add to your property to repel snakes.

    Marigold Plants

    Marigolds are a staple in many gardens due to their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms. In addition to offering a splash of white or yellow to your garden, they also can help repel unwanted guests. They have a very strong smell that repels snakes before they get near your garden, in addition to snakes, they are also helpful in deterring many forms of insects from taking up residence.

    Of all plants, marigold is the most potent pests repellent. The blossoms themselves emit a strong fragrance that most property owners love, but are too strong for snakes to tolerate. Outside of the blooming seasons, the roots dig into the soil aggressively where they give off a pungent odor that can reach even the deepest snack burrows. Marigolds are safe for humans as which makes them an attractive and effective natural snake deterrent.

    Marigold
    Marigold Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Tagetes”

    Andrographis Paniculata Plants

    Asia has been known for bringing innovative natural alternatives for everything from gardening and cooking to skincare and medicine. All over Asia, the Andrographis Paniculata plant has been utilized as an effective yet safe way to prevent snakes from setting up shop in yards and gardens. The roots of the plant are very bitter as are the leaves. It can be ground up and mixed up with water to create a spray or solvent that you can use around your home or property.

    The plant itself is a direct irritant to snakes. If the leaves of the Andrographis Paniculata plant come in contact with the scales of a snake, it causes a sort of allergic reaction. This toxic swelling is not only painful to snakes, it can also lead to death in some cases. As a result, placing this plant at key locations on your property is a great way to repel snakes naturally.

    Andrographis Paniculata
    Andrographis Paniculata

    Mugwort Plants

    Mugwort plants are not as common as other types of plants, but they are very efficient in controlling pests such as snakes. No exact mechanism can be identified as to why snakes do not like the mugwort, but in gardens or yards where it’s planted, snakes will not encroach.

    Keep in mind that this plant is a fast grower and tends to spread like wildfire. If you have a lot of land to cover, or if you do not have many other plants in your garden, then it’s a good option. Just make sure to prune it often to limit its wild growth.

    Mugwort
    Mugwort

    Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Plant

    We are not telling you to get your mother in law to chase away snakes, but we are sure she could if she put her mind to it. This plant of the same name has sharp leaves that easily cut and scratch snakes as they attempt to pass. This is a great plant to pair in your garden with other snake repellant plants. In addition to keeping snakes away, this plant increases oxygen levels in the area more efficiently than similar plants.

    Dieffenbachia
     Dumb Cane Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Dieffenbachia” 

    Tobacco Plants

    If you have a larger property, you may consider adding a tobacco plant to your garden. While most people only think about smoking when it comes to tobacco, but as a plant, it offers a range of additional benefits.

    Snakes are repelled by strong smells and the nicotine in the plant is not only pungent, it is also toxic to snakes. As a bonus, this plant also has the ability to banish ants as well. Just make sure that you only plant this on your property if you do not have small pets or children who may chew on the plant.

    Tobacco
    Tobacco

    Garlic Plants

    Even beginner cooks have a clove of garlic or two lurking in their kitchen. Garlic won’t ward off vampires, but they will keep snakes and other pest at bay. Garlic is as flavorful as it is aromatic, which is a natural irritant for snakes and many other types of garden pests. You can plant bulbs of garlic around the edges of your garden or leave them in pots in key areas.

    Snakes hate the pungent aroma, and the smell also causes them to get confused. It is a bonus that you can also eat this easy to grow snake repellant when the bulbs sprout and expand.

    How to Plant & Grow Garlic: Complete Guide
    How to Plant & Grow Garlic: Complete Guide

    Pink Agapanthus Plants

    The pink agapanthus plant features vibrant pink flowers that will add a visual delight to any room or garden. The smell of mature blooms is highly fragrant, so much so that they are extremely irritating for snakes and other pests. In addition to being a natural and beautiful pest control tool, this plant also has medicinal uses.

    The pink agapanthus plant has been used to help relieve the symptoms of sinus infections for generations. It is easy to grow the plant to can be house in pots indoors or planted in any area of your garden. A creative landscaper can line the boundary of your garden, or yard is a collection of pink agapanthus and marigold plants.

    Pink Agapanthus Plants
    Pink Agapanthus Plants

    Snakeroot Plants

    Asia is known for creating natural and holistic solutions that are not harmful to human health. The same ideas are applied to pest control. The snakeroot plant has been used for centuries as a natural snake and pest repellent.

    Often called the devil pepper, the bitter leaves and roots discourage snakes from entering into the vicinity. The snakeroot plant is highly toxic to snakes due to a chemical in the plant called reserpine. This chemical affects the heart rate of the snake making it slow or even stop. It also causes snakes to get dizzy and confuses when under the influence of this chemical.

    Snakeroot Plants
    Snakeroot Plants

    West Indian Lemongrass

    We have already mentioned how citrus is one of the best forms of pest deterrent that nature has created. It is pleasing to humans but completely intolerable by most snakes and other pests. West Indian lemongrass is especially aromatic which will have snakes slithering away at top speed. You can also make Citronella from this plant which can be used to banish mosquitoes and other flying insects.

    This plant is easy to grow and highly resistant to drought which makes it ideal for planting in just about every climate. The plant is also visually appealing which can tie into your current landscaping goals. Not only will you be repelling snakes, ticks, and mosquitoes, but you will also beautify your yard, home or garden at the same time.

    Lemongrass
    Lemongrass Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Cymbopogon Citratus”
    43
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleWhat Are The Best Spider Repellent Plants? What You Need to Grow
    Next Article How to Protect Your Berries from the Strawberry Root Weevil
    Hollie Carter
    Hollie Carter
    • Twitter

    Hollie is a life-long gardener, having started helping her Dad work on their yard when she was just 5. Since then she has gone on to develop a passion for growing vegetables & fruit in her garden. She has an affinity with nature and loves to share her knowledge gained over a lifetime with readers online. Hollie has written for a number of publications and is now the resident garden blogger here at GardenBeast. Contact her at hollie@gardenbeast.com or follow on twitter https://twitter.com/greenholliec

    Related

    Is The ZZ Plant Poisonous for Cats, Dogs or People?

    July 18, 2023

    What Are the Best Tropical House Plants to Grow? Our Top 20 Picks & Growing Tips

    June 18, 2023

    What Are the Best Ornamental Grasses to Grow Outdoors?

    June 14, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    Welcome

    GardenBeast is an online publication which launched in 2019 with the aim of providing the latest news, in-depth how-to guides and reviews of popular products to help you make the most from your back yards and gardens.

    Kooc Media Ltd
    Company No.05695741
    International House,
    61 Mosley Street, Manchester,
    M2 3HZ
    UK

    Email
    hello@gardenbeast.com

    Hours
    Monday—Friday: 9:00AM–5:00PM
    Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM–3:00PM

    Download Free eBooks

    Download Free eBooks

    GardenBeast
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube
    • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    As Seen in GardenBeast is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
    GardenBeast™ Copyright © 2019 - 2023 Kooc Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Registered Company No.05695741 // Online Resource for Gardening

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.