Best snake-repellent plants – 10 plants to help protect you and your yard

1. Marigolds

Both French and American marigolds possess a strong spicy scent and tightly ruffled red, yellow and orange blooms that keep snakes well away.

‘These bright, lovely flowers look innocent, but marigolds’ roots grow deeply and aggressively,’ says the team at Mo Plants(opens in new tab). ‘These sturdy roots are the snake repellents. They emit a strong odor that repels snakes, gophers, and moles. They can also reach wherever a snake might be burrowing and hiding in, so the smell will reach deep into the soil.’

A tender annual these readily available plants are happiest in sun and will thrive during the warmer months across UDSA Zones 2-11. You can grow marigolds from seed, and keep them producing new flowers – and repelling snakes – for longer by deadheading regularly. Marigolds are great to plant to attract butterflies, too.

2. Allium or Flowering onion

Thanks to their high sulfonic content and pungent smell, onions are very effective at keeping snakes at bay. Fortunately, they are striking flowers too, with their lavender and deep purple pom-pom blooms perched atop of straight stems to bring drama and color to the late spring yard.

Scatter them in the flower border, amongst ground cover plants or grow in shallow dish shaped planters for an eye-catching display. One word of warning, though, the wide strappy leaves are less than lovely and the perfect spot for hiding slugs and snails, so do keep them away from precious and delicate salad leaves and bedding plants. Or be prepared to get rid of slugs and get rid of snails regularly.

3. Lemongrass

Lucky enough to live in USDA zones 9-11 or warmer climes? Then you can grow lemongrass, and add it to your list of wasp repellent plants, too.

Lemongrass originates from the sunshine, humidity and warmth of Sri Lanka and southern India, and has a reviving citrus fragrance that is guaranteed to keep snakes well away. In these zones you can leave lemongrass in the ground all year round – just adding a little mulch for protection in zone 9.

If you live in zone 8 or below, and you are still keen to give this plant a go, then you will have to lift and store the plant indoors over winter

4. Mother-in law’s tongue

Also called sansevieria or ‘snake plant’, it’s the sight of this plant’s tall and twisting sword-like leaves that snakes find off-putting. Whether it’s because they find the sight threatening in some way or due to the sharp leaf edges, these tough, perennial plants will thrive outdoors in warm climates.

Preferring temperatures of 70℉ (21℃) and above, they will tolerate slightly cooler conditions but no lower than 55℉ (12.5℃), so are perfect for growing in USDA zones 10-12.

Place in a bright spot but do avoid strong, direct sun as this can scorch the leaves. They are not particularly fussy with soil either but do dislike sitting in wet, boggy ground as this leads to root rot.

5. Wormwood or Mugwort

The charm of wormwood or artemisia may appear to lie in its fine silver, feathery foliage but did you know that snakes can’t abide its astringent scent?

Easy and quick to grow in a sunny, well-draining spot, it’s perfect for surrounding your deck or porch with to keep these unwanted visitors well away.

Reaching heights of around 2ft (60cm) and with a spread of 3ft (90cm) this hardy perennial forms attractive textured mounds. It can lose leaves over winter during particularly cold spells but will shoot again the following spring.

Parts of the plant have been used to create the liquor Absinthe but is more commonly known for treating various digestive problems.

6. Pink Agapanthus

A member of the onion family, this stately plant with its fountain of pink trumpet-like flowers looks stunning in spring and early summer but, thanks to its strong aroma, will also keep snakes at bay.

A fast growing and clump forming perennial, it can reach up to 3ft tall (91cm) and will thrive in HDSA zones 7-10. Avoid placing in wet, waterlogged soil as this will cause the bulbs to rot.

7. Garlic

As with onions and alliums, garlic contains high quantities of sulfonic acid which gives off a strong smell that snakes do not like.

You can grow garlic for culinary and medicinal use, but these bulbs also have attractive flowers which are particularly tasty sauteed or added to salads. Known as scapes, these white spherical blooms can be picked at bud stage or when they are fully open.

Discover when to plant garlic in your zone for best results, and how to store garlic to keep it fresh for cooking.

8. Snakeroot Plants

Often called the devil pepper, the bitter leaves and roots of this herbaceous perennial discourage snakes from coming near.

A word of caution: due chemicals in the plant – namely reserpine and tremetol – this tall plant with its small, white, long-lasting flowers is highly toxic to snakes but also harmful for animals, particularly horses and goats.

A native to north America it is commonly found in wood areas and produces coarse toothed leaves with pointed tips, not unlike stinging nettles.

9. Yellow Alder

With its cheery buttercup-like flowers that bloom continually in HDSA zones 9-11, this low-growing shrub is great for ground cover and deterring snakes. Preferring full sun or partial shade, this small shrub also has attractive oval shaped foliage with deeply serrated edges.

Happy in rich, moist yet well-draining soil, it can grow rapidly and spread freely and become invasive if left unchecked. The prolific number of blooms are attractive to butterflies.

10. Basil

Best grown from seed at regular intervals throughout spring and summer, this tender annual herb has a strong smell that we find inviting, yet snakes cannot stand.

You can grow basil from seed, indoors and out. It requires constant heat to grow and dislikes sitting in wet compost, where if left it will quickly rot. The soft and tasty leaves also scorch very easily so make sure your crop is positioned out of direct sun.

Harvest individual leaves by picking them off, rather snipping several plants with scissors, as this will promote fresh, new growth. And learn how to prune basil at the right time to prolong its life.

Which plant can keep Snakes away?

Marigolds are very effective at keeping snakes away, thanks to their vigorous root system and their ability to release alpha-terthienyl – a phototoxin into the soil. They also emit a strong smell that snakes detest, deterring them even when burrowing underground.

How do I Snake-Proof my Yard?

Alongside filling your borders and pots with snake deterring plants cutting back the lower limbs of shrubs, trimming any long grass and clearing up piles of leaves, logs, or brush will also help reduce cover and their likely hiding places. Fill in any existing holes or burrows with firmly packed soil and reduce moist areas or puddles, as these are particularly attractive to snakes. Free ranging pets are also a great way to deter snakes as their frequent wanderings can put these reptiles off from taking up residence.