Rats can turn a lovely New Mexico garden into a mess, but the right plants can keep them far away. I’ve tried a few of these in my own yard, and they’ve worked like a charm while still looking great.
Their strong scents and natural properties make them uninviting to unwanted visitors. Add these plants around your garden, and you’ll enjoy your space without worrying about rodents moving in.
1. Peppermint
Strong menthol scents overwhelm rat noses, making peppermint one of the most effective natural deterrents available. Plant it near entryways or garden borders where rodents typically enter.
New Mexico gardeners love how easy peppermint grows in partial shade with regular watering. The leaves can be harvested for tea while simultaneously protecting your vegetables.
Rats avoid areas where peppermint thrives because the smell interferes with their ability to detect food sources and predators nearby.
2. Lavender
Beautiful purple blooms release aromatic oils that humans adore but rats find absolutely repulsive. Position lavender plants strategically around vegetable beds and compost areas.
Drought-tolerant lavender thrives perfectly in New Mexico’s dry climate, requiring minimal maintenance once established. The pleasant fragrance creates a relaxing garden atmosphere while keeping pests away.
Bonus benefits include attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies while simultaneously deterring rodents from establishing nests in your outdoor spaces.
3. Rosemary
Woody stems and pungent leaves make rosemary a powerhouse for repelling unwanted rodents naturally. Rats dislike the strong herbal scent that wafts from this Mediterranean favorite.
Many New Mexico gardeners appreciate rosemary’s dual purpose as both a culinary herb and pest deterrent. Plant it along pathways or near outdoor seating areas.
Rosemary handles hot, sunny conditions beautifully and needs very little water once roots establish themselves in your garden soil.
4. Sage
Did you know sage was considered sacred by ancient cultures for its protective properties? Rats certainly respect those boundaries, avoiding areas where sage grows thick and fragrant.
Silver-green foliage looks stunning in New Mexico landscapes while releasing oils that confuse rodent senses. Plant several varieties for visual interest and maximum protection.
Harvest fresh leaves for cooking while enjoying natural pest control benefits throughout the growing season without any chemical treatments required.
5. Marigolds
Bright orange and yellow flowers do more than beautify gardens—their distinct smell sends rats running in the opposite direction immediately. Root secretions also deter underground pests.
Marigolds flourish in New Mexico’s warm seasons, creating colorful borders around vegetable patches and flower beds. Their low-maintenance nature makes them perfect for beginner gardeners.
Plant marigolds densely for best results, as the concentrated scent creates an effective barrier that rodents refuse to cross when searching for food.
6. Garlic
Pungent bulbs and leaves produce sulfur compounds that rats find unbearable, making garlic an excellent companion plant for vegetable gardens. Even the smell of growing garlic deters rodents.
New Mexico’s climate suits garlic cultivation perfectly, especially when planted in fall for spring harvest. Space cloves around garden perimeters for maximum protective coverage.
After harvesting bulbs for kitchen use, leave some in the ground to continue repelling pests while producing new shoots for future crops.
7. Daffodils
Cheerful spring blooms contain toxic alkaloids that rats instinctively avoid, protecting both the flowers and surrounding plants. Bulbs remain poisonous even when dormant underground.
Plant daffodils around garden edges in New Mexico landscapes for early-season color and year-round rodent protection. They naturalize easily, multiplying without much effort.
Unlike many deterrent plants, daffodils require no maintenance beyond initial planting, returning reliably each spring to brighten your space and repel pests.
8. Oregano
With a zesty aroma that enhances Italian dishes, oregano simultaneously keeps rats far from your garden paradise. The essential oils in leaves create an invisible barrier rodents won’t cross.
Ground-cover varieties spread quickly across New Mexico garden beds, filling spaces between larger plants while providing continuous pest protection. Harvest regularly to encourage bushier growth.
Oregano tolerates poor soil and drought conditions remarkably well, making it an ideal low-effort solution for busy gardeners seeking natural pest management.
9. Mint
Invasive growth habits that frustrate some gardeners actually benefit those fighting rat problems—mint spreads aggressively, creating extensive protective zones. Rats despise the overpowering menthol smell.
Consider planting mint in containers throughout your New Mexico garden to control spread while maintaining pest-deterrent benefits. Water regularly during hot summer months.
Multiple mint varieties exist, from spearmint to chocolate mint, each offering unique flavors for beverages while consistently repelling unwanted rodent visitors from your property.
10. Chrysanthemums
Fall-blooming beauties contain natural pyrethrin, a compound used in many commercial pest repellents. Rats avoid chrysanthemums instinctively, recognizing the danger these flowers represent.
New Mexico gardeners can enjoy spectacular autumn color while protecting gardens from rodent invasions during harvest season. Plant in groups for dramatic visual impact.
Beyond repelling rats, chrysanthemums also deter other garden pests like aphids and spider mites, making them valuable additions to any pest-management strategy.
11. Catnip
Surprisingly effective against rats despite attracting neighborhood cats, catnip produces nepetalactone oil that rodents find extremely offensive. The strong scent masks other garden smells rats seek.
Growing catnip in New Mexico gardens serves double duty—entertaining feline friends while creating zones rats avoid completely. Plant near sheds or storage areas where rodents hide.
Catnip grows vigorously with minimal care, tolerating heat and dry conditions common in southwestern climates while maintaining its pest-repelling properties throughout seasons.
12. Alliums
Ornamental relatives of onions and garlic, alliums produce globe-shaped blooms atop tall stems while releasing odors rats cannot tolerate. Plant bulbs in clusters for stunning spring displays.
Purple, pink, and white flower spheres add architectural interest to New Mexico gardens while providing reliable rodent protection. They pair beautifully with roses and perennials.
Once established, alliums require virtually no maintenance, returning annually to brighten landscapes and maintain their natural pest-control benefits without any chemical interventions needed.