Did you know that there are plants that repel snakes? While snakes can be beneficial by eating rodents and insects, some people may be worried about having snakes around their house. If you’re one of those people, or you live in an area with a lot of snakes check out this list of snake repellent plants.
Plants That Repel Snakes – Pictures of Plants That Repel Snakes
Marigolds
Marigolds emit a strong odor that snakes don’t like, and therefore they will stay away from an area where marigolds are planted. There is some scientific evidence to support this claim. For example, one study found that snake activity was reduced in an area where marigolds were planted, however, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
West Indian Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a plant that is known to repel snakes. Lemongrass emits a strong citrus smell that snakes do not like, making it an effective natural snake repellent. Plus, you can either grow lemongrass in your garden or purchase it in oil form to keep snakes away.
Snake plant
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) are a great plant to have in your garden if you’re looking to repel snakes. The leaves have a sharp, pointed edge that irritates a snake’s skin as they slither by the leaves. They also have a dense upright growth habit that is hard for smaller snakes to navigate.
If you’re considering adding snake plants to your garden, be sure to place them near entryways and along pathways where snakes are likely to enter.
Yucca
Yucca is a plant that can help repel snakes. This plant has sharp leaves that can deter snakes from entering an area. Yucca is also known for being tough and drought-resistant, making it a perfect plant to have around areas where snakes might be present.
Mugwort
Mugwort is a plant that repels snakes. It has a very strong smell and grows very fast. In addition to repelling snakes, mugwort is also said to have many other medicinal properties. For example, it is thought to be helpful in treating respiratory problems, anxiety, and insomnia.
Onions
Planting onions around your home and property can help repel snakes. The strong, pungent odor of onions is unpleasant to snakes and will deter them from coming near. You can either plant the onions in the ground or hang them in bags from trees or fences. Either way, the snakes will stay away.
Garlic
Snakes seem to be put off by the strong smell of garlic, so planting some around your home may help to keep them away. Additionally, many people swear by using garlic in a spray bottle as a snake repellent, so this could be worth a try if you’re having trouble with snakes in your area.
Snakeroot
Snakeroot contains an essential oil that is off-putting to snakes. When they smell it, they will slither away and find a more attractive place to seek out prey.
Clove basil
Clove basil is a great plant to have around if you’re worried about snakes. The essential oils in clove basil are very strong, and snakes don’t like the smell.
Kaffir lime
The Kaffir lime is a tropical fruit that is well-known for its strong citrus smell. It’s said that the smell of the Kaffir lime can repel snakes, and many people recommend planting them near homes and gardens in order to ward off snakes. While there hasn’t been any scientific evidence to support this claim, the strong citrus smell of the Kaffir lime may be enough to keep some snakes at bay.
Jimsonweed
Jimsonweed is a plant that emits a foul odor that repels snakes, and it is an annual “weed” that can be found throughout the United States. The seeds of the Jimsonweed are toxic, so it is important to keep pets and children away from this plant.
Wormwood
Wormwood has a very powerful scent that snakes can’t stand, and they will avoid it when they can. If you live in an area where there are a lot of snakes, you can try to plant some wormwood around your home or property to keep them away.
Yellow alder
Yellow alder is a plant that repels snakes. It grows very quickly and has sharp leaves, and it also has beautiful yellow flowers that make it an excellent addition to any landscape.
Cactus
Cactus plants are known to be great at repelling snakes. This is because they have sharp spines that make it difficult for snakes to slither past them. Plus, cactus plants don’t provide much cover for snakes or their prey.
Black Turmeric
Black turmeric is an effective snake repellent. It has a strong, spicy aroma that snakes don’t like, and it’s easy to grow. If you have a snake problem in your garden, plant some black turmeric around the perimeter. You can also use it to make a snake-repelling spray by boiling the roots and leaves in water and spraying it around your yard.
Indian birthwort (Aristolochia Indica)
The Indian birthwort plant is believed to repel snakes. This plant has a strong smell and its uniquely shaped leaves are said to confuse snakes. Some people also recommend rubbing the leaves of this plant on surfaces to help keep snakes away.
Wild guava
There are a few wild tropical plants that have been shown to effectively repel snakes, including wild guava. These plants release strong-smelling terpenes (guajadial, psiguadial A, B, and psidial A) into the air, which snakes find highly unpleasant.
Senna plant
The senna plant is a common houseplant that has a strong citrus smell. It’s often used to repel snakes, and it seems to be effective. The flowers of the senna plant are also showy and can be quite eye-catching in an ornamental landscape.
Society Garlic
Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) is known to repel snakes. This plant has a very strong repellent odor, and the flowers are beautiful pink or purple blooms.
If you are looking for a natural way to repel snakes from your property, consider planting some Society Garlic. Not only will it help to keep the snakes away, but it will also add some beauty to your landscape.
King of Bitters
King of Bitters gets its name from the bitter foliage that it produces. The leaves of this plant are so bitter that most animals, including snakes, stay away from it.
The King of Bitters grows best in areas that have full sun and well-drained soil. If you are looking for a way to keep snakes away from your home or garden, you might want to consider planting a few of these plants.
Tobacco
Tobacco is a plant that can help repel snakes. Its strong smell can keep them away, and its toxic foliage can deter their prey from coming into your yard. And best of all it’s easy to plant tobacco plants around the perimeter of your property to create a natural barrier against snakes.
Skunk Cabbage
Skunk Cabbage has a strong smell that is similar to a skunk, which can be helpful in keeping snakes away. Plus, it can be used around ponds and wetlands to keep these areas safe from snakes.
Pink Agapanthus
Pink Agapanthus has a strong garlic smell that can help deter snakes from entering your garden, so if you’re looking for something that looks nice and also keeps snakes away, this might be a good choice.
Best of all, they are edible and can be used in salads or as a garnish, and they produce beautiful flowers that will add some color to your garden.
Lavender
Lavender is a great plant to have in your garden if you are worried about snakes. The sweet, floral scent of lavender is offensive to snakes and will help to keep them away. Lavender is also effective at repelling mice, so it’s a good choice if you are concerned about both snakes and rodents.
Comfrey
Comfrey is a perennial herb that produces large leaves and deep roots that contain compounds that repel snakes, so it’s often used as a natural barrier against them.
Rue
Rue is a plant that can help repel snakes. Its bitter fleshy leaves contain compounds that can discourage snakes and their prey from entering an area.
Bay
Bay leaves also have a strong scent that snakes tend to avoid, and when bay leaves are burnt they release pungent volatile organic compounds that are very effective at keeping snakes away.
Are Snakes Bad for the Garden?
No, snakes are not bad for the garden. In fact, they can actually be quite beneficial, as they help to keep the population of rodents and other pests in check. So if you spot a snake in your garden, there’s no need to panic – just let it be and it will eventually move on.
What attracts snakes to your house?
There are a few things that can attract snakes to your house. One is if you have rodents present, as snakes will often come looking for an easy meal. Another is if your house provides good hiding places for snakes, such as in piles of leaves or under rocks. Finally, snakes may be attracted to the warmth of your house, especially in cooler months. If you’re concerned about snakes being present on your property, it’s best to take steps to remove potential attractants and make the area less hospitable for them.
How To Keep Snakes Away
It’s no secret that many people are afraid of snakes. Whether it’s because of their scaly skin, glassy eyes, or their forked tongues, there’s something about these creatures that just sends a shiver down our spines.
But did you know that there are actually some simple landscaping techniques you can use to help prevent snakes from taking up residence on your property?
Below, we’ll share some of the best ways to snake-proof your landscape. So if you’re someone who is looking to avoid a snake encounter, read on.
Landscaping To Prevent Snakes
- Identify areas in your yard that are hospitable to snakes
- Remove potential snake habitats, such as piles of rocks or wood, and overgrown vegetation
- Trim back trees and shrubs so they don’t hang over the house or touch the ground
- Use gravel instead of mulch to discourage snakes from making their home in your yard
- Snakes are often found in warm, moist areas, so avoid planting bushes and flowers that will attract them
- Keep your grass short and tidy – long grass provides the perfect hiding place for snakes
- Place snake repellent near any areas where you think snakes may be present
Plants That Keep Snakes Away
What Plants Do Snakes Hate?
There are a few plants that snakes appear to hate, including marigolds, lemongrass, yuccas, mugwort, wormwood, basil, mint lavender, and tobacco. They also seem to dislike onions and garlic. If you’re looking to keep snakes away from your property, planting some of these could be a good idea.
Does lavender repel snakes?
Yes, lavender is known to repel snakes. The strong scent of lavender is unpleasant to them and it also disguises the natural scent of their prey.
Does mint plant attract snakes?
Mint plants have a strong, refreshing scent that many people enjoy. However, that same scent can also be used to repel both snakes and mice. So if you’re worried about snakes getting into your home, or you have a mouse problem, planting some mint around your property could help keep them away.
Does snake plant repel snakes?
Yes, snake plants can repel snakes. This is because their leaves are sharp and dense, making it difficult for snakes to slither through them.
Does oregano repel snakes?
Yes, oregano can be used as a snake repellent. The strong smell repels them, and they don’t like the taste either. If you’re using it to repel snakes, you can grow it in your garden or sprinkle dried oregano around the perimeter of your property.
Tropical Plants that Repel Snakes
- Wild guava
- Indian birthwort
- Black turmeric
- Kaffir lime
- Clove basil
What Smells Do Snakes Hate?
Some scents that snakes hate include ammonia, cinnamon oil, clove oil, garlic, onions, lemongrass, naphthalene, smoke, witch hazel, marigolds, and white vinegar
Ammonia
As it turns out, snakes hate the smell of ammonia. This is because ammonia is a corrosive substance that can cause irritation to the respiratory system of snakes.
Lemongrass
Snakes hate the smell of lemongrass oil. This is because lemongrass oil contains citral, which is a natural repellent for many pests, including snakes.
Naphthalene
According to some sources, snakes hate the smell of naphthalene. Naphthalene is the main ingredient in mothballs, so you may want to try using mothballs around your home if you’re trying to keep snakes away. Of course, this isn’t guaranteed to work, but it’s worth a try.
Smoke
One smell that snakes seem to hate is smoke. If you’re trying to keep snakes away from your property, you can try burning smudge sticks or setting off smoke bombs.
Witch Hazel
Snakes hate the smell of witch hazel. Plus, the smell of witch hazel can also be used to repel mice, rats, and other rodents.
Vinegar
Snakes tend to dislike the smell of vinegar, so using it as a repellent may be effective in getting them to leave the area.
Clove oil
The jury is still out on this one, but a lot of people seem to think that snakes don’t like the smell of clove oil.
What Kind of Snakes Like Gardens
If you’ve ever been gardening and found a snake in your yard, you may have wondered what kind of snakes like gardens.
While some snakes are more likely to be found in gardens than others, there are a few reasons why these reptiles make their homes in these spaces.
Keep reading to learn more about what kind of snakes are most likely to be found in your garden and why they love spending time there.
Garter Snakes
Garter snakes are a type of snake that is known to enjoy spending time in gardens. These snakes are relatively small, and their diet consists mainly of insects and other small animals. If you have a garden, it’s not uncommon to find a garter snake or two basking in the sun or hiding among the plants.
Rat Snake
Rat snakes are a type of snake that is known to frequent gardens. They are attracted to the rodents and other small animals that often inhabit gardens, making them a potential pest for gardeners. Rat snakes are not typically aggressive, but they can bite if they feel threatened. If you see a rat snake in your garden, it is best to leave it alone and let it go about its business.
Water Snake
Water snakes are a common type of snake that likes to live in gardens. They tend to live near sources of water, such as ponds or streams. In most cases, water snakes are often seen sunning themselves on rocks or logs near the water’s edge.
Gopher Snake
Gopher snakes are great for keeping gardens free of rodents. They are non-venomous and docile and can be easily relocated if they are found in an inappropriate spot.
King Snake
King snakes are a type of snake that is known to inhabit gardens. These snakes are typically non-venomous and can be beneficial to have around, as they help keep rodents and other pests under control.
Corn Snake
Many people are surprised to learn that corn snakes are actually quite fond of gardens. These snakes are native to North America and typically prefer habitats with plenty of vegetation, making gardens a perfect spot for them to find food and shelter.
If you have a corn snake in your garden, there’s no need to worry – these snakes are not venomous and pose no threat to humans or animals.
In fact, many people consider corn snakes to be excellent pets due to their docile nature. So if you spot one in your garden, take a moment to appreciate this beautiful creature.
