Keeping snakes out of your yard doesn’t have to mean resorting to harsh chemicals or setting out traps. If you’re anything like me, you’d rather take a gentler, more natural approach—especially one that makes your garden look even better.
Believe it or not, some plants actually help with this. Thanks to their strong scents, prickly textures, or just being plain unwelcoming to slithering visitors, they act like little green guardians.
By planting a few of these around your yard, you can build a quiet but effective line of defense—no drama, just a prettier, more peaceful garden.
1. Marigolds
The strong scent from these bright blooms acts as a natural deterrent for many pests, including snakes. Their roots release chemicals into the soil that repel unwanted visitors, creating an invisible barrier around your property.
Growing marigolds along the perimeter of your yard provides double benefits – gorgeous orange and yellow flowers plus effective snake protection. I’ve planted them around my vegetable garden and noticed fewer snake sightings that season.
For best results, choose varieties with the strongest fragrance and plant them densely. The French and African marigold types work particularly well, producing the most potent repelling compounds when their foliage is disturbed.
2. Lemongrass
Containing high levels of citronella oil, lemongrass creates an aroma that snakes find overwhelming and avoid whenever possible. The tall, grassy stalks also form physical barriers that most reptiles prefer not to navigate through.
Growing in attractive clumps that reach 2-4 feet tall, this ornamental grass adds texture and movement to garden spaces. My patch near the patio not only deters snakes but also provides fresh stalks for cooking Thai dishes and making tea.
Lemongrass thrives in full sun and warm conditions, making it perfect for southern gardens. Plant it strategically near entry points, along fences, or anywhere you’ve spotted snake activity in the past.
3. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue
Also known as snake plant or Sansevieria, this hardy succulent features sharp, pointed leaves that snakes find uncomfortable to slither across. The rigid, upright growth creates a natural barrier that most reptiles avoid rather than navigate.
Beyond its snake-deterring properties, this plant thrives in neglect and survives in various light conditions. I’ve placed several along my garden pathway where they stand like sentinels, requiring almost no maintenance while keeping unwanted visitors at bay.
During summer months, mother-in-law’s tongue occasionally produces small, fragrant flowers that add another layer of protection. The plant’s distinctive appearance adds architectural interest to borders and container gardens while serving its protective purpose.
4. Garlic
Few scents repel snakes more effectively than the pungent aroma of garlic. The strong sulfur compounds that give garlic its distinctive smell overwhelm a snake’s sensory organs, making your yard an uncomfortable environment they’ll actively avoid.
Planting garlic bulbs around the perimeter of your property creates an aromatic shield against slithering visitors. Last spring, I scattered cloves near our shed’s foundation and noticed a significant decrease in snake encounters compared to previous years.
Beyond protection, you’ll harvest flavorful bulbs for cooking while enjoying the delicate white or purple flowers that appear in summer. For maximum effectiveness, crush a few cloves periodically and scatter them in key areas to refresh the scent barrier.
5. Wormwood
With its silvery-gray foliage and intensely bitter compounds, wormwood creates an environment that snakes instinctively avoid. The plant contains thujone, a natural chemical that disrupts a snake’s sensory perception and acts as a powerful deterrent.
Growing to about three feet tall, wormwood makes an attractive ornamental addition to garden borders. I’ve planted it alongside my foundation plantings where its feathery texture contrasts beautifully with broader-leaved plants while keeping reptiles at a distance.
Historically used in herbal medicine and as an ingredient in absinthe, this versatile plant requires little water once established. For best results, position wormwood in full sun and well-drained soil, trimming occasionally to maintain its compact shape.
6. West Indian Lemongrass
Unlike its cousin mentioned earlier, West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) produces an even stronger citrus scent that snakes find particularly offensive. The essential oils released from its leaves contain compounds that interfere with a snake’s sensory perception.
Growing in impressive clumps up to six feet tall, this variety creates both aromatic and physical barriers around your property. After planting several clumps near our backyard pond, we noticed a dramatic reduction in water snake sightings within just a few weeks.
Beyond its protective qualities, the leaves make excellent flavoring for soups, teas, and curries. Harvest outer stalks regularly to encourage fresh growth and release more of the snake-repelling oils into the surrounding air.
7. Onions
Similar to garlic, onions release sulfonic acid that creates an environment snakes find hostile and overwhelming. Their pungent aroma masks other scents that might otherwise attract snakes to your yard, like rodent trails or food sources.
Strategically planting onions around garden perimeters provides dual benefits – natural protection and a flavorful harvest. Last season, I interplanted white onions between my ornamental shrubs and noticed significantly fewer snake sightings throughout the summer months.
For maximum effectiveness, choose varieties with the strongest scent like yellow or red onions rather than milder types. Consider planting in staggered rows to create a continuous barrier that makes it difficult for snakes to enter your yard undetected.
8. Pink Agapanthus
The rough, strappy leaves of pink agapanthus create uncomfortable terrain for snakes to navigate, while its dense growth habit eliminates hiding spots. When clustered together, these plants form an effective physical barrier that most reptiles choose to avoid rather than cross.
Crowned with stunning pink flower clusters on tall stems, agapanthus brings dramatic beauty to garden borders while serving a protective purpose. My row along the fence line bursts into bloom each summer, creating both a visual spectacle and a snake-deterring boundary.
Hardy and drought-resistant once established, these perennials require minimal maintenance while providing years of protection. The plant’s tuberous roots grow densely underground, preventing snakes from burrowing nearby and making it an excellent choice for comprehensive yard protection.
9. Mugwort
Containing strong-smelling essential oils, mugwort emits an aroma that confuses and repels snakes by overwhelming their sensitive olfactory systems. The silvery-green foliage releases these compounds especially when brushed against or after rainfall.
Growing to about three feet tall with delicate, fern-like leaves, mugwort adds an attractive, airy texture to garden borders. Since planting several clumps near our garden shed, we’ve noticed a significant decrease in snake activity in an area that previously attracted them.
An ancient herb with historical medicinal uses, mugwort spreads vigorously in favorable conditions. Plant it in contained areas or harvest regularly to control its growth while benefiting from its protective properties throughout the growing season.
10. Tobacco Plant
Containing high levels of nicotine, tobacco plants produce compounds that act as natural reptile deterrents when released into the soil and air. Snakes detect these chemicals through their skin and avoid areas where tobacco grows.
Ornamental varieties produce beautiful tubular flowers in white, pink or red that attract beneficial pollinators while keeping unwanted visitors away. My flowering tobacco border not only deters snakes but also creates a fragrant evening display when the blossoms release their sweet perfume.
For maximum effectiveness, plant several varieties together to create a continuous flowering season. Nicotiana sylvestris (woodland tobacco) grows impressively tall, while Nicotiana alata offers more compact growth perfect for smaller spaces or container gardens.
11. Kaffir Lime
The distinct citrus oils in kaffir lime leaves create an environment snakes find overwhelming and actively avoid. The aromatic compounds interfere with their sensory perception, making your yard feel hostile to their sensitive systems.
Growing as an attractive shrub or small tree, kaffir lime brings both protection and culinary benefits to your garden. After adding one to our patio container garden, we noticed fewer snake sightings while gaining fresh leaves for authentic Thai cuisine.
The uniquely shaped double leaves have a powerful scent even when dried, allowing you to harvest and scatter them in problem areas. In colder climates, grow kaffir lime in containers that can be moved indoors during winter to provide year-round protection and fresh leaves.
12. Common Rue
Containing powerful compounds like rutin and limonene, rue emits a bitter scent that reptiles find particularly offensive. The blue-green foliage releases these oils when brushed against or warmed by the sun, creating an invisible protective barrier.
Growing to about two feet tall with delicate yellow flowers, rue adds an attractive Mediterranean touch to gardens. My plants near the garden gate have thrived for years, deterring snakes while attracting beneficial insects like swallowtail butterflies who use it as a host plant.
Historically valued for medicinal properties, rue should be handled with caution as it can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. This natural defensive quality is precisely what makes it so effective against unwanted reptiles while adding unique texture and color to your landscape.
13. Geraniums
Geraniums produce a distinctive scent from their leaves and flowers that snakes find disruptive to their sensory organs. The aromatic oils contain compounds that mask other attractive scents and create an environment reptiles prefer to avoid.
Available in countless colors and growth habits, these versatile plants bring both beauty and protection to garden beds and containers. My scented geraniums along the walkway provide a welcoming fragrance for visitors while creating an invisible barrier against unwanted slithering guests.
For maximum snake-repelling effectiveness, choose varieties with the strongest scents like citronella, peppermint, or lemon geraniums. These types release more potent oils when their leaves are brushed against or warmed by sunshine, providing continuous protection throughout the growing season.
14. Basil
The strong aromatic oils in basil overwhelm a snake’s sensitive olfactory system, creating an environment they actively avoid. Different varieties offer varying intensities of scent, with Thai and cinnamon basil providing some of the strongest reptile-repelling properties.
Growing basil in strategic locations combines culinary benefits with natural protection. My herb garden near the back door supplies fresh leaves for cooking while creating a fragrant barrier that keeps snakes from approaching the house.
For continuous protection, harvest regularly to encourage bushier growth and stronger oil production. Planting several varieties together extends the growing season and provides a range of scents that work together to create a more comprehensive snake deterrent around your yard.
15. Mint
Few scents repel snakes more effectively than the sharp, menthol aroma of mint plants. The strong essential oils penetrate a snake’s Jacobson’s organ, overwhelming their sensory perception and creating an environment they’ll actively avoid.
Growing vigorously in most conditions, mint spreads to create dense ground cover that eliminates hiding spots. My peppermint patch near the garden shed has effectively kept that area snake-free while providing fresh leaves for summer drinks and desserts.
Consider planting different varieties like spearmint, peppermint, and chocolate mint for a diverse barrier with varying intensities of repellent compounds. Due to mint’s invasive nature, growing it in containers or bordered areas prevents it from taking over while still providing excellent snake protection.
16. Rosemary
The pine-like fragrance of rosemary contains powerful terpenes that disrupt a snake’s sensory perception, making your yard an uncomfortable environment they prefer to avoid. The woody stems and needle-like foliage also create physical barriers that snakes find difficult to navigate.
Growing as an attractive evergreen shrub in many climates, rosemary combines ornamental value with protective properties. My rosemary hedge along the driveway not only deters snakes but also supplies fresh herbs year-round and attracts beneficial pollinators with its delicate blue flowers.
For maximum effectiveness, plant rosemary in sunny locations where heat will release more of its aromatic oils into the surrounding air. Pruning occasionally keeps plants bushy and stimulates the production of new growth with stronger scent properties.
17. Chrysanthemums
Containing natural pyrethrin compounds, chrysanthemums produce substances that act as natural insecticides and reptile deterrents. These chemicals irritate snakes’ sensitive skin and disrupts their nervous systems, creating an environment they instinctively avoid.
Available in countless colors and sizes, these autumn-blooming perennials bring vibrant beauty to your garden while providing protection. My border of hardy mums not only creates a seasonal display but has noticeably reduced snake activity along that side of the property.
For year-round protection, combine early, mid-season, and late-blooming varieties to maintain continuous flowering. The plants’ dense, bushy growth eliminates potential hiding spots, while their strong scent masks other attractants that might otherwise draw snakes to your yard.
18. Thyme
The intense aromatic oils in thyme create an environment that overwhelms a snake’s sensory organs and disrupts their ability to detect prey or navigate. Different varieties offer varying intensities of scent, with lemon thyme and creeping thyme providing excellent reptile-repelling properties.
Growing as a low-maintenance ground cover, thyme spreads to fill spaces between stepping stones or along borders. My thyme pathway releases wonderful fragrance when walked upon while creating an aromatic barrier that snakes consistently avoid crossing.
Beyond its protective qualities, thyme attracts beneficial pollinators and adds year-round structure to garden designs. Plant several varieties together for a tapestry effect that combines different leaf colors and scent profiles for more comprehensive snake protection.
19. Oregano
The pungent essential oils in oregano contain carvacrol and thymol, compounds that irritate snakes’ sensitive skin and disrupt their ability to process environmental information. The strong scent creates an aromatic barrier that most reptiles choose to avoid rather than cross.
Growing vigorously in sunny locations, oregano forms attractive mounds of fragrant foliage topped with delicate purple or white flowers. My oregano border along the vegetable garden not only keeps snakes at bay but attracts beneficial pollinators and provides fresh herbs for Mediterranean cooking.
For maximum effectiveness, choose varieties with the strongest fragrance like Greek oregano or hot and spicy oregano. Regular harvesting stimulates new growth with higher concentrations of the protective essential oils while providing a continuous supply of flavorful leaves.
20. Vetiver Grass
With its dense, fibrous root system and sharp-edged leaves, vetiver grass creates both physical and aromatic barriers against snakes. The roots contain compounds that mask other attractive scents while the tough, vertical growth pattern is difficult for reptiles to navigate through.
Growing in impressive clumps up to five feet tall, vetiver adds architectural interest to landscape designs. After planting several clumps along our property boundary, we noticed a significant reduction in snake encounters throughout the following seasons.
Beyond snake deterrence, vetiver’s extensive root system helps prevent erosion on slopes and can absorb environmental toxins. This versatile grass thrives in various soil conditions and requires minimal maintenance once established, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance snake protection.