Which are the Best Garter Snake Repellent Plants? Top 10

Wondering what garter snake repellent plant can keep snakes out of your garden? The good news is that there are many plants with strong smells or sharp features that can naturally repel garter snakes.

From marigolds to lemongrass, these plants are easy to grow and effective in keeping your garden snake-free.

Stick around as I explain the 10 best garter snake repellent plants.

Key Points

• Marigolds have a strong smell that garter snakes avoid.
• Lemongrass’s citrus scent confuses garter snakes and keeps them away.
• Wormwood’s bitter aroma makes your garden unattractive to snakes.
• Garlic and onions emit powerful smells that snakes dislike.
• Pink agapanthus gives off a garlic-like scent that helps repel snakes.
• Mother-in-law’s tongue’s sharp leaves act as a physical barrier to snakes.
• Mugwort’s bitter smell makes it another great option for repelling garter snakes.
• Installing snake-proof fencing and keeping prey populations low can also help.

10 Best Garter Snake Repellent Plants: Know the Details

The best garter snake repellent plants are marigolds, lemongrass, wormwood, garlic, onions, pink agapanthus, snake plant, clove basil, mugwort, and West Indian lemongrass.

These plants emit strong smells or have structural features that discourage garter snakes from entering your garden.

Marigolds

Scientific Name	Tagetes spp.
Key Features	Bright flowers, strong aroma
Smell	Strong, pungent smell
Maintenance	Low – Requires full sunlight

Marigolds are bright, cheerful plants that add beauty to your garden. But they don’t just look good—they also work great as a natural snake repellent.

Features:

• Bright orange and yellow flowers.
• Strong, earthy smell that repels many pests.
• Can grow easily in various climates.
• Ideal for adding color to your garden.

Care Tips:

• Water regularly but don’t overwater.
• Plant in full sun for best growth.
• Add compost for healthier blooms.
• Deadhead flowers to encourage more growth.

Lemongrass

Scientific Name	Cymbopogon citratus
Key Features	Long, grassy leaves, citrus smell
Smell	Strong citrus, lemony
Maintenance	Low – Thrives in warm climates

Lemongrass is a tall, grassy plant known for its fresh lemon scent. It’s often used in cooking, but it’s also useful in keeping garter snakes at bay.

What makes lemongrass repel garter snakes? The strong citrus smell of lemongrass disrupts garter snakes’ ability to smell properly. This deters them from entering your garden.

Features:

• Long green leaves.
• Has a strong citrus fragrance.
• Prefers warm locations.

Care Tips:

• Water every week.
• Let lemongrass enjoy at least 6 hours of sunlight.
• Trim leaves to promote growth.

Wormwood

Scientific Name	Artemisia absinthium
Key Features	Silvery leaves, bitter aroma
Smell	Bitter, earthy smell
Maintenance	Moderate – Prefers dry soil

Wormwood is an ancient herb with silver-gray leaves and a sharp, bitter aroma. It’s been used for centuries to keep away unwanted pests, including snakes.

What makes wormwood repel garter snakes? Wormwood’s bitter smell is highly unpleasant to garter snakes. It interferes with their ability to smell, making it an effective snake repellent.

Features:

• Small silver leaves.
• Bitter smell repels pests.
• Can grow in dry and poor soil.
• Adds a unique texture to your garden.

Care Tips:

• Needs well-drained soil.
• Avoid overwatering.
• Prune regularly to shape the plant.
• Place in full or partial sunlight.

Garlic

Scientific Name	Allium sativum
Key Features	Bulbous plant, strong aroma
Smell	Pungent garlic smell
Maintenance	Low – Easy to grow

Garlic is also a powerful snake repellent due to its strong, pungent odor.

Features:

• Grows from bulbs.
• Produces small white flowers.
• Strong garlic aroma deters snakes.
• Useful in both gardens and kitchens.

Care Tips:

• Plant in full sun.
• Water when the soil is dry.
• Fertilize with compost for bigger bulbs.
• Harvest in late summer for best results.

Onions

Scientific Name	Allium cepa
Key Features	Round bulbs, strong aroma
Smell	Sharp, oniony smell
Maintenance	Low – Grows in most soils

Onions, like garlic, produce a strong odor that works wonders in repelling garter snakes. Their sharp smell makes snakes uncomfortable.

Features:

• Grows from bulbs.
• Produces tall green stems.
• Sharp onion aroma.
• Helps deter not just snakes but other pests.

Care Tips:

• Plant in well-drained soil.
• Water sparingly, do not overwater.
• Needs full sun for best growth.
• Add mulch to retain moisture.

Pink Agapanthus

Scientific Name	Agapanthus africanus
Key Features	Beautiful pink flowers, garlic smell
Smell	Garlic-like aroma
Maintenance	Low – Thrives in most climates

Pink Agapanthus, also known as society garlic, has lovely pink flowers and a garlic-like smell. This makes it a great choice for a snake-repelling plant.

What makes pink agapanthus repel garter snakes? The garlic-like smell of pink agapanthus is unpleasant for garter snakes, making them stay away from areas where this plant grows.

Features:

• Pink bell-shaped flowers.
• Strong garlic-like aroma.
• Grows well in various soils.
• Adds beauty while repelling snakes.

Care Tips:

• Plant in full or partial sunlight.
• Water moderately.
• Prune after flowering.
• Use mulch to protect roots.

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Snake Plant)

Scientific Name	Sansevieria trifasciata
Key Features	Tall, sharp leaves, low water needs
Smell	Almost odorless
Maintenance	Very low – Easy indoor plant

Snake plant has sharp, stiff leaves that create a barrier for snakes, discouraging them from moving around.

Features:

• Tall, sword-like leaves.
• Requires little water.
• Grows well indoors and outdoors.
• Almost no scent, but physical structure repels snakes.

Care Tips:

• Water once every 2-3 weeks.
• Tolerates low light conditions.
• Avoid overwatering.

Clove Basil

Scientific Name	Ocimum gratissimum
Key Features	Large leaves, clove-like aroma
Smell	Strong clove-y smell
Maintenance	Moderate – Needs sunlight

Clove basil is a dense, bushy plant with a strong clove fragrance, which helps repel garter snakes and other pests.

Features:

• Large green leaves.
• Fragrant clove-like smell.
• Great for repelling pests.

Care Tips:

• Plant in full sunlight.
• Water regularly.
• Prune to maintain shape.

Mugwort

Scientific Name	Artemisia vulgaris
Key Features	Bitter aroma, tall growth
Smell	Strong, bitter smell
Maintenance	Low – Thrives in poor soils

Mugwort is a tall, bitter-smelling plant known for its pest-repelling abilities. It works well in deterring garter snakes from your garden.

What makes mugwort repel garter snakes? Mugwort’s bitter, strong aroma is unpleasant for garter snakes. This smell confuses them, making them avoid areas where it grows.

Features:

• Tall, feathery leaves.
• Strong bitter smell.
• Thrives in poor soil.
• Works as a natural pest repellent.

Care Tips:

• Plant in full or partial sunlight.
• Water sparingly.
• Can tolerate poor soil conditions.
• Prune regularly to prevent overgrowth.

West Indian Lemongrass

Scientific Name	Cymbopogon citratus
Key Features	Tall grass, lemony aroma
Smell	Strong citrus smell
Maintenance	Moderate – Needs warm climates

West Indian lemongrass is similar to regular lemongrass but with a more intense citrus smell. This makes it even more effective at keeping garter snakes away.

Features:

• Tall grassy leaves.
• Strong lemony aroma.
• Used in teas and cooking.
• Perfect for sunny, warm areas.

Care Tips:

• Plant in full sunlight.
• Water regularly.
• Needs warm, tropical conditions.
• Prune for healthy growth.

While you’re researching plants for repelling snakes, you might also be interested in learning if certain plants, like Gaultheria Procumbens in Alaska, are safe to eat.

Other Ways to Get Rid of Garter Snakes

Besides using repellent plants, other ways to get rid of garter snakes include keeping your garden clean, using snake repellent sprays, installing snake-proof fencing, reducing water sources, using vibrations, and keeping prey populations in check.

These methods work well when used along with repellent plants.

Keep Your Garden Clean

One of the best ways to keep garter snakes away is by maintaining a clean and tidy garden. Snakes love hiding in cluttered areas, so keeping things organized will discourage them from sticking around.

Here’s what to do:

• Remove any debris like piles of wood, leaves, or rocks.
• Keep the grass cut short.
• Trim overgrown shrubs and bushes.
• Don’t let weeds or tall grass grow unchecked.

Use Snake Repellent Sprays

Snake repellent sprays can be a quick and easy way to keep garter snakes away from your home and garden. These sprays are usually made with natural ingredients that snakes find unpleasant.

Remember this:

• Common ingredients include essential oils like clove, cinnamon, and peppermint.
• Some sprays use sulfur or naphthalene, which are strong-smelling substances snakes avoid.
• Safe to use around pets and kids, but always check the label.
• Can be sprayed around the perimeter of your garden or home.

The strong scents in these sprays overwhelm a garter snake’s sense of smell, making your yard or garden uncomfortable for them to be in.

Care Tips:

• Reapply the spray after heavy rain.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Use in combination with other natural repellents for best results.

Install Snake-Proof Fencing

If you live in an area with a lot of snakes, installing snake-proof fencing can help keep them out of your yard. This fencing prevents snakes from slithering through or climbing over it.

Just keep this in mind:

• Made of materials like mesh or hardware cloth.
• The fencing should be buried a few inches underground to stop snakes from burrowing under it.
• The height should be at least 3 feet to prevent snakes from climbing over.
• A good option for both small gardens and large yards.

Snake-proof fencing creates a physical barrier that garter snakes cannot pass through. It’s especially useful if you have a large garden or live near snake-prone areas.

Care Tips:

• Regularly inspect the fence for gaps or holes.
• Make sure the fence is buried properly.
• Keep the area around the fence clear of debris.
• Choose fencing material that can withstand outdoor conditions.

Reduce Water Sources

Garter snakes are often found near water sources, as they need to stay hydrated and tend to hunt near moist environments. Reducing access to water can help make your garden less appealing to them.

Here’s how to do it:

• Remove standing water, like puddles or birdbaths.
• Make sure your garden has good drainage.
• Keep pools covered when not in use.
• Fix any leaks in garden hoses or irrigation systems.

Without easy access to water, garter snakes are less likely to hang around your yard or garden. This makes it less attractive for them to stick around.

Use Vibrations

Snakes are sensitive to vibrations, and you can use this to your advantage. Devices that produce small vibrations can make garter snakes uncomfortable and encourage them to leave the area.

In my experience:

• Solar-powered vibration devices are available for gardens.
• These devices create regular vibrations in the ground.
• Safe for humans, pets, and other wildlife.
• Can be placed around the perimeter of your garden.

Garter snakes pick up vibrations through their bodies and tend to avoid areas where they feel constant disturbance. This method keeps them on the move and away from your garden.

Care Tips:

• Position the vibration devices evenly around the garden.
• Make sure they are solar-powered for continuous use.
• Choose waterproof devices for durability.
• Combine with other methods for maximum effectiveness.

Keep Prey Populations in Check

Garter snakes are often attracted to gardens because of the abundance of their prey, such as insects, small rodents, and frogs. Reducing the number of these creatures in your garden can help deter snakes.

Here’s what you should do:

• Control the population of rodents, like mice, by using traps.
• Use natural pest control methods to keep insect populations low.
• Clear out any areas where frogs might breed, like ponds.
• Keep bird feeders clean to avoid attracting rodents.

If there is less food available in your garden, garter snakes won’t have much reason to stay. Keeping their prey population low can make your garden less attractive to them.

Along with keeping snakes away, it’s crucial to ensure your plants are safe from extreme heat. Find out how plants can die from heat in a car and ways to protect them.

Conclusion

To sum up:

• Use marigolds, lemongrass, and garlic to repel garter snakes naturally.
• Keep your garden clean and remove hiding spots like debris or tall grass.
• Install snake-proof fencing for added protection.
• Use natural snake-repellent sprays and reduce water sources.
• Try vibration devices to make your garden uncomfortable for snakes.

By using the right garter snake-repellent plants, you can enjoy a snake-free garden without any hassle!