“Some snakes are harmless” I repeat to myself every time I see one, but even knowing the species, I don’t feel comfortable having them in my yard.
They are indeed beneficial creatures, but I prefer them being beneficial somewhere else. That’s the reason why I decided to try some natural methods that will keep snakes at bay, and one definitely stands out.
Here’s an amazing plant that will create an aromatic and physical barrier to keep snakes away!
And The Plant Is…
Lemongrass! Yes, this plant from the Cymbopogon genus can deter snakes from your yard. It contains citronella, and this potent substance is famous for its mosquito-repelling abilities.
Luckily, it has the same effect on snakes. Since these animals rely on their sense of smell, they’ll quickly be aware of lemongrass and won’t be able to smell or locate prey.
Asia and Africa are known for multiple venomous snake species and, to repel them, residents frequently keep lemongrass in their outdoor space.
The scent of cinnamon, garlic, and sulfur is also strong enough to repel snakes, but lemongrass has another advantage. It has a compact growth habit and the leaves have sharp edges, creating a physical barrier to snakes.
Once the snake finds itself in front of the plant, it won’t have a desire to slither through sharp leaves and the scent will only make things worse.
How To Grow Lemongrass
If you’re interested in growing this snake- and mosquito-repelling plant, I have a few tried-and-true maintenance tips.
First, you should know that this plant enjoys loamy growing substrate enriched with organic matter. The best way to achieve this is by amending the soil with compost before planting this citronella-rich plant.
I have to warn you that this plant needs a lot of space to spread so, when planting, make sure there are approximately 2 feet between each lemongrass plant.
If you live in USDA zones 8 and above, you can grow your lemongrass as a perennial plant. On the other hand, if you live in cooler climates, I recommend growing lemongrass as an annual plant because it’s pretty sensitive to cooler temperatures.
You have the option to keep your lemongrass in containers, and it thrives in such conditions. However, if the only reason why you grow this plant is because you want to deter snakes, container growing may not be helpful.
Growing lemongrass as an annual is a far better solution, but make sure to cut back the plant in the fall, dig it out from the ground, and keep it in pots over winter.
You can take your lemongrass back to your outdoor garden once the temperature increases in spring. This plant is native to tropical regions, so if you want it to grow happy and healthy and deter all snakes, make sure to water it regularly!