Are you worried about snakes in your garden? Are you looking for natural ways to keep these unwelcome reptiles away? Well, Snake repellent plants are an environmentally friendly solution, which will protect your garden from snakes and will also enhance the beauty of your garden.
Snakes are an essential part of the natural food chain – in nature, every component has its own unique place. And snakes, sometimes acting as predators and other times as prey, are no different. Aside from being critical in maintaining a balance in the ecosystem, snakes keep pest populations in control and their venom is used to develop medication highly beneficial to human beings.
But what is considered a blessing can become a nuisance if it invades our gardens and surroundings. It is extremely dangerous to have snakes hiding in the grass or other plants, especially if you have children or pets running around.
Which is where snake repellent plants come into the picture. There are many plants that act as snake repellents by exhibiting various properties – and you can plant them in your own front and back yard! Want to easily identify these plants? Download our Plant Identification App to start now!
If you’re wondering how to keep snakes out of your yard, read on and find the best natural fixes to a slithering mess.
Snakes can be frightening and unwelcome visitors in any yard. While most species are not aggressive, encountering a snake near your home can be unsettling. Fortunately, there are a number of plants that naturally repel snakes. Growing these around your home and yard is an effective, non-toxic way to deter snakes.
In this article, we will explore the most effective snake repelling plants, how they work, and the best ways to incorporate them into your landscaping. With a few key plantings, you can create a natural snake deterrent zone around your property.
Why Snakes Enter Yards
Before exploring plants to repel snakes, it’s helpful to understand why snakes come into contact with homes and yards in the first place
Snakes are attracted to yards and gardens for several reasons:
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Shelter – Snakes seek out places to nest and hide. Dense bushes, wood piles, and rock gardens provide cover.
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Prey – Snakes hunt small rodents, amphibians, and insects that live in yards. Easy access to food sources draws snakes in.
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Water – Snakes need moisture and will be attracted to sources of water like ponds, fountains, and moist soil
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Warmth – Hardscape features like rocks, patios, and sidewalks retain heat that snakes will bask in.
Understanding what attracts snakes to a yard allows you to modify the habitat accordingly. Removing shelter spots, food sources, standing water, and heat pockets makes the area less appealing. Planting snake repelling plants adds another layer of deterrent.
How Plants Repel Snakes
Certain plants have natural properties that make snakes avoid them. There are two main ways plants can repel snakes:
Strong Scents
Snakes rely heavily on their sense of smell to perceive their environment. Strong, pungent aromas overwhelm their senses and act as a natural repellent.
Plants in the allium family like garlic, onions, chives, and leeks produce sulfurous odors that snakes hate. Herbs like lavender, rosemary, basil, and mint have powerful essential oils that deter snakes.
Physical Discomfort
Spines, prickles, and rough foliage create an uncomfortable environment for snakes to slither through. Sharp, pokey plants make it difficult for snakes to move around freely.
Plants like cacti, holly, agave, and acacia have physical characteristics that discourage snakes. Simply planting these around areas snakes frequent can block their path.
15 Best Plants for Repelling Snakes
Here are some of the most effective options for snake repelling plants:
1. Marigolds
With their bright yellow and orange blooms, marigolds are a cheerful yard flower. But the pungent aroma their flowers and roots emit keeps snakes at bay. Marigolds can be planted in garden beds or in containers near entryways.
2. Onions
Alliums like onions, garlic, shallots, and chives contain sulfuric compounds that give off a strong, lingering odor that repels snakes. They can be planted around the perimeter of gardens.
3. Lemongrass
A tropical plant known for its citrusy scent, lemongrass contains essential oils that overwhelm snakes’ senses. It grows well in containers that can be positioned strategically.
4. Lavender
With pretty purple flowers and a pleasing fragrance for humans, lavender is intensely aromatic and offensive to snakes. Grow it along walkways, borders, and near house foundations.
5. Cacti
Prickly cacti are impossible for snakes to slither through. Their sharp spines cause discomfort and block snakes’ passage. Use them as living fences or borders.
6. Mint
Mint’s potent, menthol aroma confuses snakes’ sense of smell. The tough, spreading roots also discourage snakes from burrowing nearby. Plant it in garden beds or pots.
7. Rosemary
Another aromatic herb, rosemary’s pine-like fragrance repels snakes but attracts pollinators. Use it in landscaping but prune it to avoid creating hiding spots.
8. Daffodils
Early blooming daffodils deter snakes by repelling the small rodents they prey on. Plant bulbs in clusters around the perimeter of gardens.
9. Basil
When frequently pruned, basil’s licorice-like smell keeps snakes at a distance. Bonus: it supplies leaves for cooking! Plant it near doorways or walkways.
10. Holly
The pointy, scratchy leaves of holly make it hard for snakes to slither through. Its berries are also toxic to snakes. Use it as a thorny barrier along foundations.
11. Agave
Agave’s stiff, spear-shaped leaves with sharp tips ward off snakes. Interplant with softer succulents or use as a living fence.
12. Eucalyptus
When crushed, the leaves of Eucalyptus trees emit a strong medicinal fragrance that drives snakes away. Grow them along borders or walkways.
13. Wormwood
The silvery foliage of this hardy perennial has a bitter, acrid smell that snakes hate. Plant it around porches, patios, and decks.
14. Pink Agapanthus
Pink trumpet-shaped flowers and an onion-like smell make Agapanthus a dual purpose snake repellent and beautiful flower.
15. Geraniums
Available in many colors, Geraniums have thick, spreading roots that emit a pungent odor when crushed that keeps snakes away.
Strategic Plant Placement
When incorporating snake repelling plants into your yard, strategic placement is key. Focus on areas where snakes are likely to enter or hide:
- Along foundations and walkways
- Around porches and patios
- Along garden borders and fences
- Near pools, ponds, and water features
- Around wood or rock piles
Clustering several plants together, or creating “living fences” with them, strengthens the deterrent effect. Replenish plants as needed, especially after harsh winters. Combining plants with yard maintenance deters snakes even further.
Maintain Your Yard
Incorporating plants is just one part of snakeproofing your yard. Regular maintenance and habitat modification goes hand in hand with strategic plant selection:
- Eliminate wood/rock piles, dense brush, and overgrown areas
- Keep lawns mowed
- Remove food sources like pet food and fallen fruit
- Drain standing water
- Seal cracks and holes in foundations
- Trim vegetation back from buildings
- Install snake-proof fencing if needed
When plants and diligent yard maintenance are combined, snakes will have no desire to enter your property. You can enjoy your outdoor space knowing there is minimal risk of encountering these uninvited guests. A lush, beautiful yard and a snake-free zone are not mutually exclusive with the right plants and preparation.
Enjoy a Snake-Free Yard
If snakes have been an issue in your yard, incorporating strategic plantings of snake repelling plants is an economical, eco-friendly solution. The natural aromas, textures, and growth habits naturally drive snakes away.
Complement plantings with consistent yard care and property improvements to reduce appeal even further. In no time, you can relax and enjoy your outdoor space free of worrying about uninvited slithering visitors.
What Plants Keep Snakes Away – Snake Repellent Plants for Your Garden
Just like humans, the smell and toxic nature of certain plants is a great snake deterrent. Whether it is the odor they give off or the irritation they cause once touched, these plants will prevent snakes from coming into your yard and any existing inhabitants to leave.
Interested in knowing what plants that deters snakes? or what plants do snakes hate the most? This list contains our top picks:
The marigold plant gives off a strong odor that snakes dislike. How to prevent snakes in the yard using marigolds? Well, it is easy, just plant them along the boundary of your garden and seal off any potential points on entry. And the best part? In addition to being a natural snake repellent, the marigold plant also deters insects and pests.
- How It Repels Snakes: The strong odor of marigolds irritates snakes, keeping them away from your garden.
- Growing Tips: Marigolds thrive in USDA zones 2–11. Plant them in full sun with well-drained soil. Water regularly, but don’t overwater.
- Secondary Benefits: They repel insects like mosquitoes and aphids, making them a dual-purpose plant for pest control.
Both the lemongrass plants have a citrusy scent. Similar to the marigold plant, the smell of the lemongrass irritates snakes immensely. The best way to use lemongrass when it comes to deterring rattlesnakes among other species is to plant it in clusters around the garden. You can also plant it at entry points so that snakes can’t find a way in. Lemongrass is also great for keeping mosquitoes away, and if you spend a lot of time in your garden, that is a massive plus point.
- How It Repels Snakes: The citrusy scent of lemongrass irritates snakes and discourages them from entering your space.
- Growing Tips: Suitable for USDA zones 9–11, lemongrass requires full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Plant it in clusters around entry points.
- Secondary Benefits: Lemongrass repels mosquitoes and can be used in teas and recipes, making it both functional and versatile.
The wormwood plant has a different mechanism than the previous two plants that repel snakes – it contains absinthe, a compound that irritates snakes. However, wormwood also has the ability to self-seed and spread rapidly. So, how to prevent snakes in your yard using wormwood? Plant it in spots that are away from other plants and maintain it regularly to ensure it doesn’t spread haphazardly.
- How It Repels Snakes: Wormwood contains absinthe, a compound that irritates snakes and keeps them away.
- Growing Tips: Wormwood grows well in USDA zones 4–8. It prefers full sun and dry, well-drained soil. Regular pruning prevents it from spreading too aggressively.
- Secondary Benefits: It deters other pests like moths and can add ornamental value to your garden with its silvery foliage.
Garlic isn’t just useful for warding off vampires – you can also use it as snake repellent plants in your yard. When it comes to snakes, the strong smell of garlic acts as a powerful deterrent. While you can just crush garlic cloves and mix them in water to create a spray, you can also plant garlic cloves in your yard. And you can repel other pests alongside snakes by doing that too.
- How It Repels Snakes: The strong, pungent smell of garlic drives snakes away effectively.
- Growing Tips: Garlic thrives in USDA zones 4–9. Plant cloves in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Water moderately to avoid rotting.
- Secondary Benefits: It also deters insects and rodents, while providing fresh garlic for cooking and medicinal uses.
Snakes do not like the strong odor onion has, which comes from the sulfur inside the plants. Planting onions in various locations in the garden, or creating a vegetable garden with onions is the way to go. The best part about a vegetable garden with plants that prevent snakes from entering is that you have an endless supply of organic vegetables that you yourself have grown. And a fun project for the kids too!
- How It Repels Snakes: Onions release a strong sulfuric odor that snakes find repelling.
- Growing Tips: Best grown in USDA zones 3–9. They need full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Space them evenly to avoid crowding.
- Secondary Benefits: Onions are a staple vegetable, offering a fresh supply for your kitchen while repelling other garden pests.
The Sansevieria plant has long pointy leaves that are sharp at the ends, and make it perfect snake deterrent plants. Snakes feel threatened by the leaves of the plant and avoid areas where the plant grows. The mother-in-law’s tongue can be planted along the edges of your garden to create a natural barrier for snakes and other intruders. An added bonus is that the Sansevieria is known to purify the air and contribute toward a cleaner environment.
- How It Repels Snakes: The sharp, pointy leaves make snakes feel threatened and deter them from entering the area.
- Growing Tips: Grows in USDA zones 9–11. Tolerates low light but thrives in indirect sunlight. Use well-draining soil and water sparingly.
- Secondary Benefits: This plant purifies the air by removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene, creating a healthier environment.
The pink agapanthus also acts as a snake repellent due to a very strong smell. Whether it is planted along the boundary of your yard or in clusters not too far apart, it serves the purpose of keeping your garden snake-free. And the second best benefit of planting the pink agapanthus is that it adds immense beauty to your garden through its lovely flowers.
- How It Repels Snakes: The strong smell of pink agapanthus deters snakes effectively.
- Growing Tips: Grows well in USDA zones 8–11. Plant in full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil. Ensure proper spacing for airflow.
- Secondary Benefits: Its beautiful pink flowers enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden, creating a vibrant and inviting space.
Why a Snake Would Invade Your Garden?
Before we get into how you can repel snakes and what keeps them away, let’s first address why they invade your garden in the first place.
By nature, snakes are predators, which means that if they’re in your garden, they’re likely looking for food. And while there are benefits associated with that (your garden will be rid of pests, rodents, and insects), your kids and pets may be at risk too.
As with any living being, snakes need water to survive. Many gardens have ponds and birdbaths, which attract snakes.
Plants and bushes, especially dense, overgrown shrubbery is a great place for snakes to hide and take refuge in. Even long grass is very inviting for snakes.
10 Best Snake Repellent Plants to protect your outdoor Garden
FAQ
What plants keep snakes away?
Several plants are known to deter snakes due to their strong scents, including lemongrass, lavender, marigolds, and rosemary.
What do snakes hate most?
Cinnamon, clove, and vinegar effectively deter snakes due to their strong aromas.Jun 6, 2025
What smell do snakes hate most?
Clove and cinnamon oil: These two natural ingredients work best to repel snakes when combined.
What is the best natural snake repellent?
Research also shows that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents.