6 Plants That Repel Snakes From Your Yard
- Marigold roots repel snakes with a pungent odor.
- Lemongrass emits a strong citrus scent to ward off snakes.
- Onions are excellent as plants that repel snakes due to their strong smell.
Snakes are fascinating and gorgeous creatures, yet they are often unwelcome guests in your yard. If you live in an area with a high snake population, you’ve probably wondered how to keep snakes away. If you want to know how to get rid of snakes — or want to take precautions to prevent them from appearing — natural repellents are the safest solution.
Unlike chemical repellents that can harm the environment and pose a risk to pets and children, using plants to repel snakes is an eco-friendly and non-toxic option to keep slithering pests out of your garden. Not only do these plants keep snakes away, but they also add beauty, fragrance, and food to your garden.
Discover some of the best plants that repel snakes from your yard and learn how to implement them in your landscape.
1Marigold Roots Repel Snakes
A thick root system and pungent odor keep snakes out
Marigolds are a popular garden plant due to their stunning colors. The blossoms of this plant appear in bold shades of orange, yellow, and red. Marigolds are grown in many different types of gardens, including vegetable gardens, flower beds, and container gardens.
| Name | Growing Zone | Sunlight Requirements | Water Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold (Tagetes) | USA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11 | Six hours of full sunlight per day | 1 inch of water per week |
- Marigolds repel snakes by creating a smell that snakes detest. The strong fragrance is produced by the plant’s root system, creating a scent barrier that these pests are reluctant to cross.
- According to the University of Florida, the roots of marigolds produce a chemical known as alpha-terthienyl, which is fantastic at preventing nematodes and repelling snakes.
To use marigolds as natural plants that repel snakes in your garden, grow them around the perimeter of your yard or in areas where pests are likely to enter, such as near bushes, woodpiles, or rock formations. You can also plant marigolds in pots and move them wherever they are needed.
2Citrusy Lemongrass Wards Off Snakes
The strong citrus scent makes it an effective pest repellent
Lemongrass is a tropical plant widely used in cooking, especially in Asian cuisine. It is a tall, perennial, grass-like plant with long blue-green leaves that turn red in the fall.
| Name | Growing Zone | Sunlight Requirements | Water Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) | Hardy as a perennial in zones 9 to 10 | Six hours of full sunlight per day | Water the soil as often as needed to keep it consistently moist for this humidity-loving plant. |
- Although planting tall lemongrass where snakes can hide seems counter-intuitive, lemongrass contains a natural essential oil that repels pests, making it a top contender among plants that repel snakes.
- When crushed or broken, it releases this essential oil into the air, creating a citrus scent that acts as a natural snake repellant.
Plant it in areas where snakes might enter your home, such as near doorways, windows, or other openings. You can also grow lemongrass in pots or containers and place them around your yard to create a barrier that snakes won’t eagerly traverse.
3Repel Snakes With Onions
Strong onion odor causes snakes to slither off
| Name | Growing Zone | Sunlight Requirements | Water Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onion (Allium cepa) |
|
Long-day varieties need 14 to 15 hours of sunlight per day Short-day onions need 10 hours of sun per day Day-neutral onions grow well in almost any light conditions | Water-loving onions need a minimum of 1 inch of water per week |
If you’re wondering how to keep snakes out of your yard, consider planting onions.
- Onions release a strong odor that snakes find unpleasant and will avoid.
- The scent of onions also makes these unwelcome pests feel disoriented and confused.
Plant onions in rows around the perimeter of your yard or garden bed. Place them near the base of trees or around outdoor structures like sheds or playhouses.
Growing edible onions everywhere as plants that repel snakes is never a bad idea, as you can harvest the tasty bulbs to enhance any number of dishes!
4Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Scares Snakes
Frighten these pests away with snake plants
Mother-in-law’s tongue is a popular plant native to West Africa. It has long, pointed leaves that grow upright and can reach up to 3 feet tall. This upright leaf shape and coloration has earned it the nickname of snake plant because those leaves look similar to a snake’s tongue. It is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in low-light environments, making it a favorite among gardeners.
| Name | Growing Zone | Sunlight Requirements | Water Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mother-in-law’s tongue, Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) | Hardy in zone 9 and above | Prefers partial, dappled sunlight of four to six hours per day | Provide 1 to 2 inches of water every two weeks for this highly drought-tolerant plant |
- Mother-in-law’s tongue is a top choice among plants that repel snakes due to its sharp, upright leaves that have a coarse texture.
- Despite its ironic nickname, snake plant, snakes are naturally fearful of this plant.
- Snakes find the sight of its striking leaves intimidating and will give it a wide berth, making this one of the best plants to repel snakes.
Grow it in areas in your garden where snakes can occur, such as along fences or near the foundation of your home. You can also place potted mother-in-law’s tongue around outdoor living spaces like patios and decks to keep snakes away from gathering spaces.
Mother-in-law’s tongue propagates by sending out underground runners. This allows it to spread quickly when planted outdoors. To prevent mother-in-law’s tongue from taking over your yard, consider planting it in a container.
5Garlic’s Strong Aroma Repels Pests
Snakes avoid the smell of garlic in your garden
The garlic plant has long, slender leaves and a distinctive bulbous flower head. You can grow garlic in a variety of soils and climates, and it is relatively low maintenance, making it an ideal addition to your garden.
| Name | Growing Zone | Sunlight Requirements | Water Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic (Allium sativum) | USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 6 | Requires six or more hours of sunlight daily | ½ to 1 inch of water per week |
- Like onions, garlic releases a strong scent that confuses snakes, acting as a natural repellent.
- As an additional deterrent, the garlic releases an oily residue when the snake glides over the crop, causing it to carry that scent with it. Snakes will spread the repelling scent for you!
The best way to incorporate garlic into your landscape is by planting it as a natural barrier that snakes are unlikely to cross. Consider areas near water features, ponds, or swimming pool for plants that repel snakes.
6Snakes Avoid Dangerous Barrel Cactus
Plant a prickly cactus to repel snakes from your yard
Barrel cacti grow in round, spiky shapes close to the ground. These prickly plants make great additions to ornamental gardens and landscapes with their attractive yellow spikes and low-maintenance care. Barrel cacti can grow up to 3 feet in all directions and this unique plant has been known to live for over 100 years.
| Name | Growing Zone | Sunlight Requirements | Water Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel cacti (Echinocactus) | Zones 9 to 12 | At least six hours of direct sunlight every day | Water barrel cacti gently every one to two months from fall to summer and do not water at all in winter. |
- The prickles on this round cactus hurt when a snake slithers into them, making barrel cacti a great snake repellent.
- Since barrel cacti grow in round shapes close to the ground, it’s hard for snakes to avoid running into them in the garden.
To repel snakes using barrel cacti, plant them along the edges of your home, outdoor buildings, and gardens. The barrel cacti will act as a natural barrier, preventing snakes from reaching areas you want to keep them out of.
What Is the Best Plant to Keep Snakes Away?
There are several ways to repel snakes from your yard, but the most natural and eco-friendly is by using plants. Marigolds, lemongrass, onions, mother-in-law’s tongue, and garlic are all effective options that add beauty and fragrance to your garden.
By strategically growing plants that repel snakes around your yard and in areas where snakes are likely to enter, you create a natural barrier they will avoid. However, no method is foolproof, and other measures, such as removing potential snake hiding places or fencing, may be necessary to keep these pests away all the time.