Snake Repellent Plants: Which Ones Help and What Really Works

No snake repellent plants are proven to work on their own, but some strong-smelling or spiky plants, like marigolds, lemongrass, garlic, and snake plant, may deter snakes from parts of your yard. According to University of Georgia, the most reliable way to keep snakes out of your yard is to change their habitat: remove tall grass, wood and rock piles, and the rodents they hunt. Use plants as a natural snake repellent layer, not your only defense.

Below are 18 snake repellent plants and flowers for garter snakes, copperheads, and rattlesnakes, plus the smells that keep snakes away and the yard changes that work best, from mowing to keeping rodents like squirrels out of your garden.

What Do Snakes Hate?

Although beneficial to gardens for taking care of other pests and doing rodent and slug control, snakes can become a problem themselves.

The thing snakes hate the most are strong scents. They are highly sensitive to smell and rely on it for hunting, so anything too strong will disorient them and repulse them. This highly developed sense is a mechanism to make up for bad eyesight. 

What Smell Do Snakes Hate?

Strong and disrupting smells like sulfur, vinegar, cinnamon, smoke and spice, and foul, bitter, and ammonia-like scents are usually the most common and effective smells against snakes since they have a strong negative reaction to them.

It is important to note that the smells snakes find unpleasant vary from the conditions the snake was submitted to after hatching. This means foreign smells are considered unpleasant but said foreign smells are not universal. For example, if a snake is used to the smell of smoke, it won’t be considered a bad smell for that particular animal and might not affect it. 

Plants that Keep Snakes Away

Snakes can become a problem, especially in warmer months, but they vary both in danger and in behavior. So, it’s important to know what plants keep snakes away and which are best for each type of snake. 

Garden Snakes

Also known as garter snakes, they are not venomous and are considered friendlier than the others, as they tend to avoid humans and feel less threatened.

Kaffir Limes (Citrus hystrix)

Kaffir Limes are native to China and Southeast Asia and are known for their rough fruits with a strong aromatic citrus smell. This scent confuses the snakes, so plant some around the area and supplement it with scattering peels, leaves, or old fruits. This plant’s stems are covered with thorns that deter many animals from approaching, snakes included. The leaves can also be used for culinary purposes and essential oils, and it bears fragrant pinkish-white flowers. 

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

With greenish silver leaves and woody roots, this tall and strong-scented plant can be considered invasive. Snakes avoid places where they’re present, as it works as a visual repellent as well as an odoriferous one. Its blooms are reddish and attract butterflies.  

Green Chiretta (Andrographis paniculata)

Also known as King of Bitters, this might be one of the best-known plants to repel snakes. It has bitter-tasting roots and leaves, a strong unpleasant smell that can irritate snakes’ skin, and anti-venom properties. It is also repellant to other pests and is often used in alternative medicine practices. Native to India and Sri Lanka, it has slender dark-green stems and lance-shaped leaves with a glossy finish and blooms small pink flowers arranged in panicles. 

Yucca (Yucca spp.)

This genus is characterized by shrubs with pointy leaves with great ornamental value. These shrubs are also able to keep snakes away, as they are repelled by their sharp pointy leaves. This plant’s downside is the need for a bigger growing space compared to other alternatives. 

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)

Due to their toxicity and foul skunk-like smell, snakes will stay away. Its scent is so strong it’s also unpleasant for humans and pets, controlling many other pests and invaders. It has large and wide leaves and appears to grow downwards instead of upwards, making mature plants hard to dig up and remove from your garden. It can be used to treat infections, insomnia, and anxiety. 

Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium)

This is the best among plants that keep snakes away. Also known as thorn apple, it exudes a foul, bitter smell and has sharp leaves that might injure snakes’ skin. It is invasive and is considered dangerous due to its toxicity and hallucinogenic nature, which affects humans and livestock. It should be placed around snakes’ common or potential hiding places. 

Tobacco (Nicotiana)

This plant’s smell is very repulsive to snakes, and they keep their distance from its planted area. On its own, Tobacco is not particularly strong and needs other plants to support it. 

Cactus (Cactaceae)

All spiky and thorny plants tend to be a natural repellant of snakes, making Cacti perfect choices. Growing different types of Cacti around your house will protect it, as well as create a beautiful ornamental landscape. Large Opuntia species are good picks, as well as Echinocactus grusonii. 

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)

Although not related to Garlic, its leaves and flowers’ stems will exude a garlicky odor that repels snakes. It bears rosy lavender flowers that have a pleasant smell and tend to attract pollinators like bees. This plant is a great choice due to its effectiveness and low maintenance. 

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

As part of the garlic and onion family, Chives emit a strong oniony smell that will keep snakes away. It is sturdier and has lower maintenance than garlic and onion while lasting many years if grown in the right conditions. It even adds ornamental value to your garden with pale purple globular flowers. 

Copperhead Snakes

Copperhead snakes are venomous but don’t tend to discharge venom when biting humans, making them less dangerous than other lethal snakes. 

Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Native to the Americas, Marigolds are flowering plants with vivid colors and a strong and deep root system that exude a bitter and unpleasant odor. They’re one of the most used plants that snakes hate as they’re very effective, especially with small, younger snakes. Some varieties also have musky-scented leaves, and they keep other pests away while attracting pollinators.

West Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Native to Southeast Asia, this snake repellent can also prevent other bugs, ticks, and mosquitoes. It has a citrus-like fragrance and long bluish-green leaves that arch due to their lightness. Cutting and spreading bundles around the area will increase efficiency. This plant is low maintenance and can be used in culinary as seasoning. 

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Native to Iran, Central Asia, and South Asia, this plant exudes a strong scent due to the presence of sulfuric acid. Intact plants might not be pungent enough to work, so smashing some garlic cloves is advised. It is already present in organic insecticides, and it’s effective against other pests. 

Onion (Allium cepa)

Much like Garlic, it has a high content of sulfuric acid, the compound that causes us to cry when we cut one, making it highly effective. Native to Asia, planting this in your garden will give you the bonus of having an indispensable culinary ingredient always at hand.  

Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes are the most dangerous snakes of the three we’re discussing, with strong venom that is not considered deadly but can cause serious medical complications. 

Clove Basil (Ocimum gratissimum)

This aromatic herb can repel snakes due to its strong scent, which is unpleasant to snakes. It is considered one of the most effective plants to keep snakes away but is more effective when in the form of essential oil. 

Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Also known as Mother-in-law’s Tongue, the long yellow leaves with a vertical green stripe are sharp, posing a threat to snakes and other reptiles since they can damage their skin. It is low maintenance and is highly valued as an ornamental plant, making it a great addition to any garden.  

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Known for its use in alcoholic drinks like absinthe and vermouth, its silver leaves have a strong, bitter, and musky scent that keeps snakes at bay. The best way to use it is by turning it into a tea mixed with salt and garlic and spreading it around the area.

Indian Snakeroot (Rauvolfia serpentina)

Native to east Asia and India, it is also known as Devil Pepper or Serpentine Wood. This shrub has upright shoots with bright green leaves, and its white flowers bloom in spring. It is used to treat non-venomous snake bites but can also combat snake venom. It has sedative effects and is linked to treating mental disorders such as schizophrenia and paranoia. 

Other Natural Repellents

Besides the primary barriers of plants that repel snakes away, natural solutions can and should be used as supplements, such as:

• Essential oils — like Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, or Clove, mixed with water and sprayed around the area. 
• Mothballs — place them around the perimeter, and their pungent smell will repel snakes.
• Vinegar — mix it with water and spray often. 
• Caffeine — sprinkle coffee grounds or instant coffee granules.
• Spices — chili powder and cayenne pepper work the best. 
• Chopped onions or garlic mixed with salt — make a paste and place bits of it around the area.

It is important to note that both the plants and these natural repellents help but are not 100% effective, as such a solution doesn’t exist. Animals are unpredictable and unique, and some will be more susceptible than others.  

How to Choose Snake Deterrent Plants for Your Yard

Here are some tips on how to make your yard snake-proof. 

• Food supply — first and foremost, try to avoid abundant food for snakes. This means the plants you choose could also repel animals such as mice, rats, and slugs, making your garden less favorable for snakes. 
• Identify the type of snakes that frequent your yard the most and choose plants accordingly.  
• Mix many plants — the perfect anti-snake garden should have a good mixture of different types of snake-repelling plants, as well as reducing plants that might attract snakes. 
• Create thick barriers — if you only grow a row of these plants, some snakes might not get too affected, but a solid barrier of multiple rows.
• Choose plants that will thrive in your local weather and overall environmental conditions. This will ensure plants will be healthy and exude strong scents.

FAQ

What smells keep snakes away?

Strong smells like garlic, onion, cinnamon, and clove oil may discourage snakes for a short time, but no smell keeps snakes away reliably. Scents fade quickly outdoors and wash away with rain. Removing hiding places and food sources works far better than any smell.

What is the best natural snake repellent?

The best natural snake repellent is a tidy yard, not a plant or spray. Keep grass short, clear away wood, rock, and brush piles, and control the mice and rats snakes feed on. Snake repellent plants can add a small extra layer of protection.

How do you keep snakes out of your yard?

To keep snakes out of your yard, mow regularly, remove debris piles, seal gaps under sheds and decks, and keep rodents away from bird feeders and pet food. For full protection, install a snake fence of ¼-inch mesh, about 3 feet tall, buried several inches deep.

What attracts snakes to your yard?

Snakes come to yards that offer food, shelter, and water. Common attractions include rodents, spilled birdseed, tall grass, dense ground cover, woodpiles, rock walls, and leaky hoses or ponds. Removing these makes your yard far less appealing than any repellent can.

Do snake plants repel snakes?

No. Snake plant gets its name from its striped, upright leaves, not from any effect on snakes. Its stiff, pointed leaves may make a small area less comfortable to cross, but there’s no evidence it keeps snakes away.

Do marigolds repel snakes?

Marigolds are among the most popular snake repellent plants, but there’s no scientific proof they work. Their strong scent may discourage some snakes in small areas. Plant them for color and pollinators, and rely on yard cleanup for real snake control.

Does lavender repel snakes?

There’s no scientific evidence that lavender repels snakes. It has a strong scent and is easy to grow in sunny, dry spots, so it’s a pleasant addition to a snake-deterrent border. Just don’t count on it to keep snakes away on its own.

Are snake repellent plants safe for dogs?

Many snake repellent plants are toxic to dogs, including garlic, onions, chives, lemongrass, wormwood, snake plant, and especially jimson weed. If you have pets, check each plant on the ASPCA toxic plant list before planting, and choose habitat changes over toxic plants.

Do mothballs keep snakes away?

No. Mothballs don’t repel snakes, and using them outdoors goes against their label, which makes it pesticide misuse. They release toxic chemicals that can harm pets, children, and wildlife, and they contaminate soil and water. Never place them in your garden.

Do coffee grounds keep snakes away?

Coffee grounds aren’t a proven snake deterrent. Snakes respond more to food and shelter than to smell, so sprinkling grounds makes little difference. Spend the effort on cutting grass, removing hiding spots, and controlling rodents instead.