8 types of plants that snakes avoid, do not dare to plant them near your house.

8 types of plants that snakes avoid, do not dare to plant them near your house.

8 plants snakes tend to avoid—plant these to make your yard less inviting

Quick truth check: no plant “repels” snakes like a force field. What actually helps is (1) making the area uncomfortable to travel through, (2) reducing cover, and (3) lowering food sources (insects/rodents). The plants below are popular because their scent, texture, or structure helps on one or more of those fronts. Use them as part of a tidy-yard strategy (short grass, sealed gaps, no debris piles).

1) West Indian lemongrass / citronella grass (Cymbopogon citratus / nardus)

  • Why it helps:Strong citrusy oils can mask scents and reduce insect activity (less prey = fewer snake visitors).
  • How to use:Full sun, well-drained soil. Plant in clumps along paths or near patios.
  • Notes:Sharp leaf edges—wear gloves when trimming.

2) Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

  • Why it helps:Pungent foliage and root compounds discourage some pests; bright borders also keep ground open and visible (snakes avoid exposed crossings).
  • How to use:Edge beds and foundation lines 20–30 cm apart for a low, continuous band.
  • Notes:Deadhead blooms to keep a dense, tidy border.

3) Garlic (and other alliums)

  • Why it helps:Strong sulfur scent; can deter rodents/insects that attract snakes.
  • How to use:Interplant garlic, chives, or ornamental alliums around sheds and along fences.
  • Notes:Mildly upsetting if pets chew bulbs—plant where pets don’t dig.

4) Rue (Ruta graveolens)

  • Why it helps:Bitter, resinous aroma; long used in folk gardens around perimeters.
  • How to use:Full sun; drought tolerant once established; space 40–60 cm.
  • Notes:Phototoxic sap—can irritate skin if handled in sun. Wear gloves.

5) Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium and relatives)

  • Why it helps:Silvery, aromatic foliage; discourages many insects and creates a dry, open understory.
  • How to use:In poor, well-drained soil where you want sparse ground cover (less hiding).
  • Notes:Avoid overplanting—can spread. Keep away from edible beds.

6) Peppermint / spearmint (Mentha spp.) (in containers)

  • Why it helps:Strong mint oils; can help push back rodents near garbage or compost areas.
  • How to use:Pot only(mint is invasive). Place containers along walls, near bins, or gaps under stairs.
  • Notes:Refresh regularly and trim to prevent runners.

7) Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

  • Why it helps:Woody, aromatic shrub that formsdense, scratchy hedges—uncomfortable to pass through and easy to keep low around walkways.
  • How to use:Full sun; hedge spacing 50–80 cm; light annual shear for a tight barrier.
  • Notes:Drought tolerant; great for coastal or warm climates.

8) Thorny barrier shrubs (e.g., bougainvillea, barberry, pyracantha)

  • Why they help:Physical deterrent. Thorns + dense branching create ahostile edgesnakes dislike crossing.
  • How to use:Plant as a perimeter hedge beneath windows/fence lines where you want a living barrier.
  • Notes:Keep clear of walkways; wear protective gloves when pruning.

Where to put them (simple layout that works)

  • Perimeter band (first line):alternaterosemaryand athorny shrubevery 60–80 cm to build a dense, low hedge.
  • Scent band (second line):in front, dotlemongrass,marigold, andalliumsto add scent and reduce insect/rodent appeal.
  • Hot spots:containers ofmintnear bins, sheds, or stair gaps; a few clumps ofwormwood/ruewhere ground tends to stay weedy.

Yard habits that multiply the effect

  • Cut cover:Keep grass short, trim the base of shrubs so you can see the soil, and avoid deep groundcovers that create tunnels.
  • Remove magnets:Clear wood/rock piles, stacked tiles, and unused lumber. Elevate firewood off the ground.
  • Rodent control:Secure trash, use tight-lidded bins, and harvest fallen fruit—remove the food, remove the hunters.
  • Seal entries:Fill gaps under steps, around sheds, and along fence bottoms with gravel or hardware cloth.

Important caveats & safety

  • These plants

    reduce attractiveness; they don’t guarantee a snake-free yard.

  • Some are

    irritating or mildly toxicif touched/ingested (especiallyrue, wormwood, barberry). Keep out of reach of curious kids and pets; wear gloves to prune.

  • If you see a snake

    insidethe home or an aggressive species outdoors, don’t attempt removal—contact local animal control or a licensed wildlife handler.

Quick starter list (shopping card)

  • 3–5

    lemongrassclumps

  • 12–20

    marigoldseedlings (border pack)

  • 6–10

    garlicorornamental alliumbulbs

  • 2

    rue, 2wormwood(sunny, dry spots)

  • 2–4

    rosemaryshrubs (hedge)

  • 2

    thorny barrier shrubssuited to your climate (e.g., bougainvillea, barberry)

  • 2 large

    mintpots (for containers)

Bottom line: Choose aromatic, structural, and thorny species to make paths open, edges uncomfortable, and prey less abundant. Combine smart planting with tidy yard habits, and your property becomes a place snakes are far less likely to visit.