Best Plants that Naturally Repel Snakes

Updated for 2023
plantsforsnakes

Snakes are an essential part of the ecosystem. However, many species possess defensive traits that are harmful, or even deadly, to humans. Therefore, if you live in a snake prone area, try using certain plants that repel both venomous and non-venomous snakes around your garden, activity areas, and household entryways. These plants will help to keep your property free from snakes.

If you live in an area of the country where snakes thrive, you have undoubtedly considered the worst case scenario. Children can become the first target, as they will be the ones to unwittingly venture into a snake’s habitat during play.

If you are an avid gardener or landscaper, the dangers are also present. Humans are hardwired to be wary of snakes since they have historically been a mortal threat. When it comes to your home, snakes will find their way in—unless, you create an anti-snake environment. Read below for the eight plants that make effective snake repellents and keep them away from your home and yard.

Designing an Anti-Snake Garden

Snakes love areas of dense coverage where an ample food source is present. Thick floral ground coverage attracts rats and mice, which in turn attracts snakes. They can hide under small rock beds, in vines, and anywhere that they can feed. So, design an anti-snake garden, which incorporates plants that repel snakes.

Plants that repel snakes will vary, depending on your natural ecosystem. Unfortunately, there is no single plant that will unanimously repel all snakes from your garden. However, when used correctly, they can be incredibly effective. Anything a snake smells from the moment it hatches will be a comforting smell to the snake. Therefore, if you are trying to rid your area of an existing snake infestation, the battle is uphill. If you are simply looking to deter snakes that are trying to get in from elsewhere to invade your property, the process is more straightforward.

Snakes do not like strong, bitter, or foreign smells. However, the kind of smell a snake considered “strong” or “unpleasant,” is contingent on the smells that they are born into. For instance, if you have a garden of onions, and there is a pregnant snake already inhabiting your field, the newborn snakes will associate the smell of onions with safety and “home.” This is not good for the property owner. However, for snakes that were not born into the onion garden, this smell will strongly deter them.

It is a subject of much conjecture as to what plants are most reliable for repelling pests. But, regardless of which plants you use, the principle of design is the same. To design a garden with plants that repel snakes, you will need to employ three key elements: a snake barrier, a variety of deterrent plants, and a lacking food source. Snakes eat mice, rats, and other small animals. Therefore, if your garden is unattractive to these critters, it will be unattractive to snakes. Using one, or multiple plants listed below, plant a hedge barrier around the perimeter of your garden. What’s more, he more rows of barrier plants, the more effective they will become. For example, a barrier row of onions is fine; a barrier row of onions and garlic is better; and a barrier row of onions, followed by garlic, followed by tobacco is great.

Plants that repel snakes will vary, depending on your natural ecosystem. Unfortunately, there is no single plant that will unanimously repel all snakes from your garden. However, when used correctly, they can be incredibly effective.

Are Snakes Bad for the Garden?

Contrary to popular belief, snakes are actually great for the garden. They will actively control other garden pests, like rodents, which can destroy entire crop fields, wreak havoc on your plants, and invade your home. The reason for ridding your property of snakes is not for the ecological value, but for safety reasons. If you are attempting to rid your garden of snakes, chemical solutions are only useful for a few species of snakes. All over the world, especially in North Africa, Central and South America, and the mountains of the American NorthWest, organic solutions have proven effective for deterring snakes of all species.

Four Plants that Repel Snakes

Some of the four commonly found plants that repel snakes do so for known reasons—while others are a little more mysterious. Regardless, planting a wide variety of plants is the best way to create a reliable snake deterrent. Snakes do not like strong smells, so employing a mixture of plants will provide above ground and below ground coverage. The following are four plants that are known to repel snakes:

1. Marigolds

Marigolds are commonly used in an effort to deter pests. The reason is in the roots of the plant. It has traditionally been implemented to deter gophers and moles. The roots grow deep and aggressively, which give off a strong odor that repels many garden pests and critters. What’s more, the bright flowers look good on your property. Marigolds can provide a hiding spot for mice and other snake prey; however, the root’s strong odor keeps pests from settling in.

2. Mother-in-Law’s Tongue

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue is one of the best plants that repel snakes because of its sharp leaves—but also because the plant rejuvenates the oxygen at a higher-than-normal rate. Unlike smelly plants, snakes find the sight of Mother-in-Laws Tongue frightening. It is a great-looking plant to have around the garden as a barrier against snakes and it is very low maintenance. The plant needs water only three times per week and this perennial plant will last for many years. If propagating from a single host plant, be sure to let the roots establish themselves first for at least three months after planting. It is used as a snake repellent for warm outdoor climates and indoors in cool climates.

3. West Indian Lemongrass

Lemongrass produces a citrus smell that deters snakes. Citronella is also a by-product of lemongrass, which mosquitoes detest. This is one of the best plants that repel snakes, mosquitoes, and even ticks from your garden. Lemongrass is drought-resistant and easy to maintain. What’s more, it is an attractive addition to any landscape. Use lemongrass to form a secure barrier from snakes and repel mosquitoes and ticks at the same time.

4. Onion & Garlic

Onions and garlic are very useful garden plants for repelling snakes. Both plants give off a smell that snakes not only dislike, but it also confuses them. Garlic plants are thought to be the best plants that repel snakes. The plant gives off an oily residue when a snake slithers over a clove. This oil acts very much like an onion does when we slice it: the aroma is disorienting like a pepper spray.

Conclusion
There is no single plant that will do all of the work but, by combining the four plants that repel snakes listed above, you can create a snake-free zone in which to garden, play and live. It is simply a question of combining the best plants that repel snakes. The aesthetic design, however, is up to you.

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