Rats can be a real headache in Minnesota gardens, sneaking around and causing all sorts of trouble. Luckily, some plants can naturally help keep these pesky visitors away.
I’ve tested a few myself, and they really make a difference. Find out which plants can protect your yard while still looking beautiful!
1. Mint
The strong aroma that makes mint perfect for mojitos is exactly what keeps rats scurrying away from Minnesota gardens. Rodents have sensitive noses and find this scent overwhelming.
Plant mint in containers since it spreads aggressively throughout yards. Many Minnesota gardeners keep it along fence lines or near compost areas where rats might otherwise gather.
2. Lavender
Beloved for its calming effects on humans, lavender has the opposite impact on rats. The fragrant purple blooms create a beautiful border while secreting oils that rodents avoid.
Hardy enough for Minnesota’s climate, lavender thrives in sunny, well-drained spots. Local gardeners often report seeing fewer rodent problems after establishing lavender patches near home foundations.
3. Daffodils
These cheerful spring flowers contain lycorine, a toxic compound that keeps rats and other pests away. Their bright yellow blooms emerge just when Minnesota’s winter residents start becoming active again.
Planting daffodil bulbs around the perimeter of your property creates a natural barrier. Many Twin Cities homeowners use them strategically near garden sheds where rats might otherwise nest.
4. Rosemary
With its pine-like fragrance and woody stems, rosemary creates an inhospitable environment for rodents. The strong scent masks food odors that might otherwise attract rats to your Minnesota property.
Growing best in containers that can be moved indoors during harsh winters, rosemary serves double-duty in northern kitchens. Gardeners throughout the Land of 10,000 Lakes appreciate its year-round usefulness.
5. Marigolds
The bright orange and yellow blooms aren’t just pretty—they emit a scent that rats find particularly offensive. Marigolds are easy to grow even for beginners in Minnesota’s gardening zones.
Strategically plant these annuals around vegetable gardens or near possible entry points. Many Minnesota community gardens use marigolds as companion plants specifically because they deter various pests including rats.
6. Sage
Aromatic sage leaves contain compounds that confuse and repel rodents. The silver-green foliage adds texture to gardens while working behind the scenes as a natural pest deterrent.
This hardy perennial can withstand Minnesota’s temperature swings when planted in protected areas. Homeowners in Rochester and other southern Minnesota communities often incorporate sage into landscaping near garages and outbuildings.
7. Alliums
From ornamental globes to practical onions and garlic, all members of this family produce sulfur compounds that rats detest. Their distinctive smell lingers in the soil even after harvesting.
Planting alliums throughout your yard creates invisible zones of protection. Minnesota gardeners particularly value how these plants return reliably each spring despite the harsh northern winters.
8. Euphorbia
Also known as spurge, this diverse plant family produces a milky sap that irritates rodents’ sensitive paws and noses. The architectural stems and unusual flowers add visual interest to Minnesota landscapes.
Many varieties thrive in the challenging conditions found throughout the North Star State. Gardeners from Duluth to Winona appreciate how euphorbia’s rat-repelling properties come packaged in drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants.
9. Wormwood
The silvery foliage of wormwood contains thujone, a compound so bitter that rats avoid it completely. Its feathery texture adds contrast to garden borders while working as a natural rodent barrier.
Despite Minnesota’s challenging climate, wormwood thrives with minimal care. Homeowners in St. Paul’s historic districts often plant it along foundations where old houses might otherwise attract unwanted critters.
10. Catnip
While cats go crazy for it, rats run the other direction when they smell catnip. The nepetalactone that attracts felines acts as a powerful deterrent for rodents in Minnesota yards.
This hardy perennial spreads easily throughout northern gardens. Many Minneapolis urban gardeners plant catnip in alley-facing areas where rats might otherwise travel between properties.
11. Lemon Thyme
The citrus-scented leaves of lemon thyme confuse rats’ sensitive olfactory systems. This low-growing herb forms attractive mats that can be tucked between stepping stones or along garden edges.
Surprisingly hardy in Minnesota’s growing zones, lemon thyme remains fragrant even during cool weather. Gardeners in the western prairie regions value its drought tolerance alongside its rat-repelling qualities.
12. Rue
With blue-green foliage and yellow flowers, rue contains compounds that rats find unbearable. The strong-smelling oils persist even when the plant isn’t in bloom, providing year-round protection.
Rue grows well in Minnesota’s well-drained soils and full sun locations. Gardeners in historic Stillwater and other river towns plant it near old stone foundations where rats might otherwise find entry points.