10 Plants That Snakes Don’t Like (and Why)

There are some plants that snakes don’t like, and you should avoid them if you want to keep snakes away from your property.

These include cactus plants, onions, sandalwood, and American and French marigolds.

Learn what they are and how to avoid them.

Cactus plants

Cactus plants are great for deterring snakes. The spikes on most cacti are a good deterrent to snakes. They also love a lot of sunlight and are drought-tolerant. Snakes are low-lying animals, so most cacti will keep snakes away.

A good snake repellent plant is the round barrel cactus, which grows up to 3 feet across with tons of nasty spikes.

The best place to place snake plants is near an east-facing window. This way, they’ll get direct sunlight in the morning and indirect sunlight the rest of the day. If you have a sunny window, keep your snake plants covered to protect them from direct sunlight. In addition, make sure your snake plants receive plenty of water.

There are several different varieties of cactus plants that attract snakes. The golden barrel cactus is a hardy houseplant that can survive in a dry climate.

While it’s not very easy to transplant, it does well in a terrarium. It can also be planted in the ground. Be sure to place a lot of rocks in the hole to help keep the spines level.

You can use commercial snake repellents to deter snakes. However, you must make sure to follow the directions of the manufacturer when using them. Adding water to your pots and decorations will also help.

Onions

While onions and garlic are edible plants, the smell they produce is unpleasant to snakes. Moreover, the oily residue they leave behind disorients them.

Similarly, the scent of sliced onions or garlic on human skin is similar to that of pepper spray, making snakes run away from the area. If they do come back, they are most likely to remember the experience and stay away from the property.

Another way to avoid snakes is to plant lemongrass. This plant is easy to care for and is drought-resistant, making it an excellent choice for hot and dry areas.

Alternatively, you could plant onions and garlic in a place where snakes are prevalent. Onions emit a pungent smell, and their blooms have a pom-pom-like appearance, which also deters snakes.

Another natural snake repellent that works well is the mother-in-law’s tongue. Its leaves are sharp and snakes do not like them. In addition, this plant can be cultivated alongside other plants, and it requires little care. However, make sure that you don’t water it dry – if you do, it may attract snakes.

Sandalwood

In Indian culture, the smell of sandalwood has a sacred, spiritual meaning. It is said to be filled with the fragrance of Paradise and was offered to the gods during puja.

People also burned sandalwood oil in smoking lamps to purify holy places and drive away evil spirits. However, this scented wood also attracts snakes.

Rats and mice feed on fruit and other plant material, which is a perfect food source for snakes. If you have a fruit tree, you should remove any fallen fruit from it. Even rotten fruit can attract snakes. It is best to use a snake repellent to protect your property.

While landscaping is as important as interior design, some people like to use lush, colorful layouts while others prefer a minimal and well-manicured look.

Finding the right landscaping for your home can be a lengthy process. There are certain plants that are more beneficial to snakes than others.

French and American marigolds

Marigolds are a great way to repel snakes. They make great garden companions and have a pungent odor that repels many garden pests, including gophers and moles. Plus, their colorful blooms add an attractive aesthetic touch to your landscape. However, be careful, because marigolds can become invasive.

Marigolds are low-maintenance plants that will bloom for several seasons. They are drought-tolerant, too. They can also be used as medicinal plants. Calendula, a member of the marigold family, is a natural antiseptic that can soothe itchiness and inflammation.

Marigolds are attractive and low-maintenance plants. Although they emit a strong odor, their odor is not so strong that it will scare off unsuspecting visitors. The pungent scent is described as pungent or musky. They grow anywhere from six to 18 inches tall and thrive in full-sun exposure. The best time to plant marigolds is during the spring or summer when they are in bloom. Moreover, they make excellent companion plants for vegetable gardens.

Marigolds also repel many other insects, including Japanese beetles. These pests feed on leaves and stems of plants, so marigolds can help with pest control. Despite their attractiveness, however, they are not a perfect solution to any problem. In fact, they will attract more bugs than they repel. Marigolds are a good option for gardeners who want an all-natural pest control solution.

Yellow alder

The yellow alder is a perennial wildflower that grows to about 91 cm tall. It is often found in damp, acidic soils. It has sword-like leaves and bold stripes, and it is considered a weed by many people. However, it is poisonous if ingested. It can cause severe stomach pain and vomiting.

The sword-like leaves on this plant are a huge turn-off for snakes. It is best cultivated in an indirect spot that receives ample sunlight. A plant that attracts snakes should be placed in indirect sunlight, and it should not be placed near a window. This plant is also called mother-in-law’s tongue.

The yellow alder plant is an excellent choice for people looking to protect their yard from snakes. This plant has the same effect on snakes as cacti, thanks to its sharp leaf margins. Its other properties include its appealing yellow color, sharp leaves, and pointed stems. It is a great choice for people who want a snake-free yard and the peace of mind that comes with it.

Snakes can be difficult to keep out, but you can try various strategies to prevent snakes from residing in your yard. You can try using mothballs or commercial snake repellents to keep snakes away. But you must always be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Besides, snake repellents don’t work on their own, so you should also consider the placement of these plants strategically.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a low-maintenance plant with a distinctive citrus odor. It can be grown outdoors and indoors and can be used as a snake barrier. It has sharp leaves and can grow up to twelve feet tall. Unlike some plants that are poisonous to snakes, lemongrass is not toxic to people or pets.

Lemongrass is native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It has a reviving citrus scent and can grow in the ground year-round. This plant also goes by the name sansevieria. Its long, sword-like leaves are sharply pointed. This plant is a great choice for gardeners that are trying to keep snakes away.

In addition to repelling snakes, lemongrass has several other benefits. It deters ticks and mosquitoes and also produces citronella, a natural insect repellent. It is very easy to grow and requires little maintenance except weekly watering. It is also an attractive plant to add to your landscape.

Although lemongrass does not make the top list of lemongrass plants that attract snakes, it is a good choice for gardens. Its leafy foliage is highly bitter to snakes, making it an ideal repellent.

It is also edible to humans and has medicinal uses. It can be used as a pain reliever and to treat headaches and sinus infections. It also tolerates low light levels and requires little water.

Lavender

Lavender plants are a popular way to repel snakes. Not only can they be used as culinary herbs, but they also provide an excellent source of essential oil for cooking and other uses.

Many people have had the unfortunate experience of encountering snakes in their living rooms or gardens. It is frightening and unpleasant, but lavender can help prevent such an incident from happening again.

Although it has not been scientifically proven that lavender will repel snakes, it is a good alternative for deterring snakes.

Conclusion

Snakes use their tongues to detect scents. Lavender is also a good plant to plant in your yard if you are trying to keep mice and rats away.

It is also helpful to have a garden with lavender, as the scent is very repellent. Lavender kills many insects that feed on plants, and it protects your garden from disease.

However, this is not a foolproof solution, and the scent is not strong enough to keep snakes away. If you are worried about snakes in your yard, consider installing a snake barrier.

It is possible to grow lavender indoors. However, it is important to choose a sunny location. Lavender needs six to eight hours of sunlight each day to flourish.

Once mature, it becomes a shrub. Lavender plants also need a regular air flow, so it is important to place them in a place where they receive regular airflow. A small fan can help provide this air flow.