Off The Record
The Beautiful Plants In Your Yard May Be Inviting Snakes — Learn 5 That Lure Them In And 4 That Might Save You
Your garden may be hiding a silent danger. Some of the most charming plants — fragrant herbs, dense foliage, groundcovers — could be acting as snake magnets, attracting rodents or providing cover that serpents love.
Discover which plants may be sabotaging your safety — and which ones have a fighting chance to help repel them (according to research).
1. Hostas & Dense Groundcovers
These lush, shady patches create cool hiding spots and retain moisture. In many reports, hosts of snakes are found where dense foliage, ground cover, or thick mulch provides both shade and cover. Homes with overgrown groundcover often see more snake activity.

2. Mint & Aromatic Herbs
Herbs like mint, lemon balm, or certain sage varieties produce strong smells and attract insects and small creatures — prime prey for snakes. One list of “plants that attract snakes” cites mint because it draws insects and attracts rodents, which in turn draw snakes.
3. Lemongrass (under certain conditions)
While lemongrass is frequently touted as repellent (see below), in some climates it can also attract snakes indirectly by creating dense patches and humid microclimates. A guide noted that because lemongrass emits a citrus scent and encourages insect life, snakes may come for what follows.
4. Orchids / Plants That Attract Insects
Snakes don’t eat flowers, but they follow food chains. Orchid varieties and other flowering plants can attract pollinators and insects — which attract frogs, rodents, and others. One gardening article lists orchids as one of the plants that may attract snakes for that reason.
5. Pineapple Sage & Dense Shrubs
With thick foliage and bright flowers, these shrubs attract pollinators, creating a mini-ecosystem. Snakes lurk where their prey hides. A list of snake-attracting garden plants includes pineapple sage.
4 Plants Believed to Help Keep Snakes Away (But Don’t Count on Perfection)
While plants can influence microclimates and scents, scientific evidence is limited — and many repel-plant claims come from folklore or small observational studies. Nonetheless, here are four commonly recommended snake-deterrent plants, backed by at least some traditional use or limited research:
1. Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus)
In a study on repellent materials, extracts of Acorus calamus showed promising snake-repelling properties. The plant’s aromatic root has been tested in controlled settings and showed that snakes may avoid its scent. In gardening guides, planting sweet flag in damp areas is often suggested.
2. Lavender
Lavender is often cited for its strong fragrance that may disrupt snake senses. Though no strong scientific study conclusively proves it repels snakes, many gardeners plant it along edges or entryways.
3. Onion / Garlic / Alliums
In some communities and traditional usage, onion, garlic, and other alliums are claimed to keep snakes away due to their pungent odor. A survey of repellent plants in Nigeria listed Allium sativum among the species used traditionally. Some pest-control sources also mention onion and garlic as snake-deterrent plants.
4. Sansevieria (Snake Plant) and Cymbopogon (Citronella / Lemongrass)
Sansevieria trifasciata is included in local repellent-plant studies in Nigeria as a plant whose shape and leaf edges may discourage snakes.
Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) appears in multiple lists of snake-repelling plants. Its citrusy scent is thought to interfere with snake detection, though contradictory advice exists about it being attractive under some conditions.
Why Caution Is Crucial: What Science Says About Snake-Repellent Plants
The idea of “magic plants” that keep all snakes away is seductive — but the reality is murky. Here’s what careful research and authorities warn:
- A USDA/Agricultural agency tech note states that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol showed some repellent effect in certain snake species when sprayed, but no plant-based repellent is registered or proven comprehensively for snake control.
- A peer-reviewed study evaluating repellents concluded that only Acorus calamus and pine oil showed appreciable effect—but with limitations and the need for further study.
- An extension service publication from Mississippi notes that many folk remedies and suggested plant repellents (sulfur, cayenne pepper, etc.) have been tested and failed to significantly deter snakes. They also observe there is no reliable registered substance for snake repulsion.
- Experts, such as those at the African Snakebite Institute, caution that no plant offers a foolproof barrier.
In short: plants may help reduce risk or discourage snakes — but they should never be your only strategy.
How to Use These Plants Wisely (and Safely)
To make your garden less inviting to snakes — while not relying solely on plant myths — consider these tips:
Know your local snakes. Some species respond more strongly to scent or disturbance than others.
Mix, don’t depend on a single species. A buffer of repellent plants around entryways may help.
Avoid dense cover near walls or your home. Keep grass short, clear piles of debris or leaf litter.
Remove rodent attractants. Snakes follow food. Eliminating rodents cuts off their reason to enter.
Seal cracks in foundations. Combine plant strategy with physical barriers.
Use essential oils carefully. Some “snake-repellent” oils have shown effects under controlled conditions, but use them with care.
Because hostas are repeated on several “attraction” lists, they deserve their own mention. Their broad leaves, dense shade, and moist soil make them ideal snake highways.
Research & Sources
- Moneycontrol – 10 Common Garden Plants That Attract Snakes
- The Spruce – Plants That Repel Snakes
- Homes & Gardens – Best Snake Repellent Plants
- ResearchGate – Studies on Diversity of Snake Repellent Plants in Delta State, Nigeria
- Tribune Online Nigeria – Scientists Validate Plants That Repel Snakes
- USDA Technical Note – Snake Repellents Report
- OMICS Online – Scientific Reports on Snake Repellents
- Mississippi State University Extension – Reducing Snake Problems Around Homes
- Call Northwest – 5 Snake-Repellent Plants to Protect Your Yard
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