17 Plants That Snakes Don’t Like To Keep Your Yard Safe

Having snakes slither into your yard can be a terrifying and dangerous experience. While some snakes are harmless, others can be venomous and pose a threat to you, your children, and your pets The good news is there are many plants snakes don’t like that can help deter these unwanted visitors

Incorporating plants that naturally repel snakes can create a safe zone around your home. Snakes have a strong sense of smell, so pungent aromas from plants can drive them away. Prickly plants can also make it uncomfortable for snakes to slither through your landscaping.

Read on to learn about 17 of the top plants that snakes don’t like Growing these can help make your yard less inviting to snakes and give you peace of mind,

Aromatic Plants That Repel Snakes

Many fragrant plants contain oils and compounds that snakes find offensive. Using aromatic plants is one of the safest and easiest ways to repel snakes.

1. Marigolds

Marigolds contain alpha-terthienyl, a compound that snakes find irritating. The roots also emit a strong, spicy odor that deters snakes. For maximum effectiveness, plant marigolds along walkways, fences, and around doorways. They thrive in full sun.

2. Lavender

The strong fragrance from lavender oil disturbs snakes and sends them slithering away. Grow lavender along borders and walkways. For a continuous supply of fresh leaves and flowers, prune lavender bushes in spring.

3. Rosemary

Rosemary’s pine-like aroma can help mask scents in the yard that would normally attract snakes. However, avoid dense patches of rosemary, as snakes may hide in them. Grow rosemary in pots near entryways to deter snakes.

4. Lemongrass

The citrusy scent of lemongrass leaves and stems creates a barrier that snakes don’t want to cross. To use lemongrass as a repellent, crush leaves to release more oil and place clumps around your yard.

5. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus trees and shrubs produce aromatic oil year-round that snakes detest. Plant eucalyptus along the perimeter of your backyard or patio for ongoing protection. The trees also provide shade and visual interest.

6. Onions

Onions and other alliums like garlic, chives, and shallots contain sulfur compounds that give off a strong, unpleasant odor. Work crushed onions or alliums into soil to scare snakes away from garden beds.

7. Mints

Snakes dislike the menthol smells emitted by mints like peppermint, spearmint, and catnip. Grow mint in pots scattered around entryways and places snakes may hide. Be sure to contain mint, as it spreads aggressively.

Prickly Plants Snakes Avoid

Pokey plants with sharp points and thorns make it hard for snakes to slither through gardens. Use them as natural barriers around areas you want to protect.

8. Holly Bushes

Holly bushes are armored with stiff, pointy leaves. The abrasive texture deters snakes from rummaging through them. For extra protection, spread pine straw or holly leaves around gardens and fences.

9. Agave

Agave boasts needle-sharp points along the tips and margins of its leaves. Planting agave around patios and seating areas provides a line of defense to keep snakes away while adding visual interest.

10. Cacti

The spikes and needles of cacti create an uncomfortable zone for snakes. Use taller varieties like prickly pears or shorter clumping cacti to form impenetrable barriers. Grow cacti in rock gardens, borders, and containers.

11. Yucca

Yucca features sword-shaped leaves with sharp tips and edges. Use yucca in mass plantings or interspersed between boulders and yard art. The tall flower stalks add dramatic architectural form while repelling snakes.

12. Blackberry Bushes

Blackberry bushes produce stems lined with small but very sharp thorns. The tangled, prickly branches prevent snakes from taking refuge. As an added bonus, blackberries provide juicy summer berries.

13. Barberry

Many barberry shrubs display tiny sharp spines along their stems and branches. Japanese barberry, for instance, has spiny branches that form interwoven thickets challenging for snakes to navigate through.

14. Juniper

While junipers have soft, needle-like foliage, most varieties develop prickly growth. Trailing junipers work nicely as groundcovers, while upright junipers can be planted tightly together to form impassible hedges.

Other Snake-Repelling Plants

Beyond aroma and thorns, there are other creative ways plants can help make your garden uninviting to snakes.

15. Daffodils

Daffodils don’t directly impact snakes but they do repel small animals and rodents that snakes feed on. Without these food sources, snakes are less likely to frequent your yard. Plant daffodils en masse for the best effects.

16. Vetch

Also called wood vetch or chickpea, this plant contains compounds like coumarin that can deter snakes but is toxic to humans and pets if ingested. It’s best to admire vetch from a distance and not plant it close to living areas.

17. Snakeroot

The aptly named snakeroot contains reserpine that disrupts snakes’ metabolism and heart rate. However, this plant is also poisonous to humans and other animals so do not plant it near yards, trails, or livestock grazing areas.

Plant Snake-Repelling Flowers, Herbs, and Shrubs

When incorporated properly around a landscape, these plants can reduce snakes’ desire to enter a yard and provide a safer environment. Pick several types of aromatic flowering plants, herb plants, bushes, and shrubs.

Aim to create clusters of plants, rows of hedges, or mixed borders using the plants snakes don’t like. Focus on areas around the perimeter, along fences, sidewalks, garden beds, and entries to your home. Be sure to research your specific hardiness zone when selecting plants.

With some strategic landscaping using plants that snakes find unappealing or uncomfortable, you can take control of your yard and prevent unwelcome serpent visitors from getting too close for comfort. Keep these tips in mind for a more snake-proof space to enjoy.