Best Snake Repellent Plants: 15 Plants to Keep Snakes Away
Updated September 30, 2024
How many plants that repel snakes do you know? If you live in a region prone to snakes, you’ll be happy to know that some plants repel snakes.
It can help you avoid slimy critters since keeping your family and house safe can be difficult.
Here are plants that repel snakes. After all, you want to relax outside and enjoy the nice weather without worrying about snakes lurking in your yard.
1. Marigold
Besides its aesthetic look, Marigold is one of the plants that repel snakes.
These warm, orange, and yellow blooms emit the strong, spicy odor of alpha-terthienyl, a phototoxin that snakes despise.
Furthermore, marigolds have a deep and abundant root system. As a result, this powerful odor can penetrate deep into the soil, where a snake may dig and hide.
This is one reason why snakes are prevented from returning to your yard.
Planting it is not difficult because Marigolds love full sun and require dry, well-drained soil.
These are also the most effective plants for repelling mosquitos and keeping them out of your home.
2. Holly
Holly is a plant with pronged and thorny leaves. This makes it difficult for snakes to slide across.
This special feature makes it the second on my list of plants that repel snakes.
Though it is commonly connected with the holiday season, snakes avoid the low-growing species.
Another reason snakes avoid this plant is that holly has a strong aroma that snakes avoid.
Planting is easy since it can be grown in a container. Know that Container-grown holly can be planted at any time of year.
After pruning established shrubs, scatter the prickly leaves in locations where snakes are sure to penetrate.
If you are a pet lover, keep them away from the red berries, as they are harmful.
3. Lemongrass
Lemon grass is among the plants you can include on your list of plants that repel snakes. It has a refreshing citrus aroma that will keep snakes away.
‘Lemongrass, like any other plant with a strong aroma, can confuse snakes and make hunting difficult,’ adds Nicole.
In these zones, lemongrass can be left in the ground all year, except for zone 9, which requires a little mulch for protection.
If you live in zone 8 or below and you are still eager to give this plant a try, then you will
4. Mother-in-law’s tongue
It is also called sansevieria or snake plant. It’s the sight of this plant’s tall, twisting, sword-like leaves that snakes find off-putting.
These tough, perennial plants will thrive outdoors in warm climates, Whether they find the sight-threatening in some way or due to the sharp leaf edges.
Preferring temperatures of 70℉ and above, they will tolerate slightly cooler conditions but no lower than 55℉, so they are perfect for growing in US hardiness zones 10-12.
Place in a bright spot, but avoid strong, direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
They are not particularly fussy with soil but dislike sitting on wet, boggy ground, leading to root rot.
5. Pink Agapanthus
Despite its beautiful pink blossoms, the agapanthus is an onion family member.
This explains why the aroma of the flowers and foliage is powerful enough to deter and keep snakes away.
With its colorful clusters, this lovely plant proliferates, reaching heights of up to 3 feet.
Avoid planting in moist, saturated soil since the bulbs will decay soon.
Not only will the repulsive odor deter snakes, but it will also make a lovely addition to your landscape.
6. Mugwort
Mugwort, sometimes known as Wormwood, has long stems and woody roots.
With its greenish-silver leaves, its feathery foliage emits a powerful aroma that repels snakes.
Mugwort is a low-maintenance plant that can reach heights of up to 2 feet and spread to 3 feet.
Planting in a bright, well-drained area of your yard or porch can repel snakes.
However, mugwort can be invasive and will require regular attention to prevent it from spreading out of hand.
7. Cactus
Snakes, like Holly, dislike prickly plants and will keep clear of the spiky cactus!
Cacti can be grown in the yard to protect your property and make attractive houseplants.
The best kind is the round barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), which looks like spiky pin cushions.
Snakes slither low to the ground; therefore, these species are low-growing and have the appropriate height to keep them at bay.
Like the snake plant, Cacti prosper in full sun and well-drained compost.
While they don’t need much water, it’s ideal to water once a week during the hot months.
8. Basil and Sage
These aromatic herbs are useful in our culinary dishes and work well as snake repellents.
Clove basil has a pronounced clove-like odor that snakes abhor.
Furthermore, this basil plant may grow up to 6 feet tall, resulting in an even greater perfume in the air. Scatter herbs in the soil and around your plants.
The intense odors should deter snakes from roaming in your yard.
You can grow fresh sage and basil in containers in your backyard or buy them from your local store to plant outside.
In either event, you’ll have a steady supply of your tasty dinners!
9. Bitter Kola
Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) is an evergreen blooming tree grown in tropical Africa for various purposes.
Its astringency may be responsible for its putative snake-repelling properties, and the tree’s seeds are frequently crushed to keep them away.23
This is an uncommon tree outside of its original country. It’s also best suited to larger yards, as it may reach more than 50 feet.
The bitter kola tree thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12, preferring part shade and evenly moist soils.
10. Clove Trees
Clove oil (eugenol) is also on the list of plants that repel snakes, and it is a frequent ingredient in commercial snake repellents.
While it is unclear whether clove trees (Syzygium aromaticum) have repellent capabilities, if you plant one that does not work, you will still have a lovely landscape specimen.
Clove trees are slow-growing, long-lived plants with gorgeous reddish-pink flower buds and fragrant leaves.
Plant them in full to partial sun, well-drained, evenly moist soil in hardiness zones 11 to 12, and they will grow up to 30 feet.
11. Yellow Alder
Yellow alder (Turnera ulmifolia) is a tiny heat-loving subshrub with yellow flowers. The plant’s aroma is said to be unpleasant to snakes.3
This long-lived perennial can bloom all year in zones 9 to 11.
This species prefers full sun or partial shade and can thrive in various soil conditions. Yellow alder is invasive in Hawaii.
12. Cultivated Tobacco
This is also on the list of plants that repel snakes. For many years, the cultivated tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) has been used as a snake repellant in African communities, whole and dusted with charred leaves.23
While it is commonly grown for its cigarette and cigar leaves, this annual plant with white or pink flowers is lovely.
This plant grows easily in rich, well-drained soil and full sun, to the point where it is frequently viewed as a weed and is invasive in Hawaii.
13. Vetiver
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) is a warm-season perennial grass closely related to lemongrass and citronella, which have snake-repelling properties.
3 Snakes find it difficult to penetrate the dense clumps of narrow, stiff, upright leaves, which can grow up to 10 feet tall.
This hardy plant can endure poor soils and droughts and is highly pest—and disease-resistant.
14. Cinnamon Plant
Aromatic cinnamon oil is included in some commercial snake repellents, so planting a cinnamon shrub or tree in your yard may help keep these reptiles away.
While cinnamon species might be slow growers, be cautious about the one to choose.
Choose a shrub less than 60 feet tall for a tiny yard. Growing in zones 10 to 12, the glossy leaves and summer-blooming white flowers thrive in full sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil.
15. Cayenne Pepper
This is the last on the list of plants that repel snakes. Cayenne pepper seeds (a capsicum annum cultivar) can be harvested and sprinkled around the perimeter of your yard to repel snakes due to their aromatic scent and hot taste.3
Regular reapplication will be required, particularly after rainfall.
These heat-loving, bushy perennials can grow up to four feet tall. Growing in zones 9 to 11 requires light and moist, well-drained soil.
They are very easy to grow as annuals in cooler climates. Several months after planting, the seeds should be ready to disseminate.