Plants That Repel and Attracts Snakes

After an intensive interview with experienced plant growers and horticulturists, one question kept coming up:

Is there really a plant that repels snakes?

The honest answer is no.

There is no single plant that can magically chase snakes away from your home or farm. Any grower desperate to sell could recommend any random plant and label it a “snake repellent,” but that approach does more harm than good. Our goal here is not to sell fear or false hope, it is to educate.

Snakes do not think like insects. They are not easily “repelled” by scent alone, and they do not flee simply because a particular plant exists nearby.

What does work is environmental control.

Some plants may discourage snakes from settling in an area due to:

1. Strong or irritating smells
2. Uncomfortable textures
3. The ability to repel pests that snakes feed on (rats, frogs, lizards)

So instead of searching for a “magic plant,” it is better to think in terms of combining plants with good environmental practices to reduce snake activity. This approach can achieve a reasonable level of control but never 100% certainty.

How Plants Influence Snake Presence

Snakes are attracted to:

1. Food sources (rats, mice, frogs, birds)
2. Shelter (thick bushes, leaf litter, damp areas, rocks)
3. Cool, shaded environments

Plants only help when they interfere with these needs.

Plants Commonly Said to Repel Snakes (With Realistic Explanations)

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria / Dracaena trifasciata)

Claim: Repels snakes

Reality: Mild discouragement at best

Snake plants have stiff, upright leaves and grow in dense clumps. Snakes may avoid thick clusters because they make movement uncomfortable. However, the name “snake plant” has no biological connection to snake repulsion.

Best use: As part of a tidy, open landscape not as a standalone solution.

2. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Claim: Repels snakes

Reality: Indirect effect

Marigolds repel insects and some small rodents. By reducing pests, they can indirectly reduce snake food sources.

Best use: Border planting combined with cleanliness and pest control.

3. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Claim: Strong snake repellent

Reality: Smell may discourage lingering

Lemongrass has a strong citrus scent that some animals dislike. While snakes may not enjoy the smell, it does not force them away.

Best use: Around entry points and fences, paired with clear ground cover.

4. Garlic

Claim: Snakes hate garlic

Reality: Some people affirm to this but there is no strong scientific proof

Garlic has a pungent smell and may irritate some animals, but snakes rely more on vibration and heat than smell.

Some people report using household items like onions and garlic as part of traditional practices to weaken or pull out snakes or anecdotal snake-control practices. However, there is no scientific evidence that these substances can reliably repel, weaken, or kill snakes. Such methods should not be relied upon fully for safety. When dealing with snakes, it is always safer to focus on environmental control or contact trained wildlife professionals.

Best use: Minor supporting role, not a main defense.

5. Onion

Claim: Repels snakes

Reality: Weak and unreliable

Like garlic, onions have strong odors but offer no consistent snake deterrent effect.

Best use: See Garlic description above

6. Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Dense Planting)

Claim: Physical barrier

Reality: Texture-based discouragement

When planted thickly, the sharp, upright leaves may make movement difficult for snakes, especially smaller species.

7. Neem Plant (Azadirachta indica)

Claim: Snake-repellent tree

Reality: Indirect benefit

Neem repels insects and rodents, reducing snake prey. The leaves themselves do not repel snakes directly.

Plants and Features That May Attract Snakes

Knowing what attracts snakes is just as important.

1. Thick Bushes and Overgrown Shrubs

Provide:

1. Shade
2. Shelter
3. Hiding spots

Snakes love areas where they can hide undisturbed.

2. Banana Plants

Banana trees retain moisture and attract frogs and rodents, which in turn attract snakes.

3. Water Plants and Ponds

Standing water attracts frogs and insects prime snake food.

4. Ground Cover Plants That Trap Leaf Litter

Dense ground covers create cool, hidden spaces snakes prefer.

5. Fruit Trees with Fallen Produce

Rotting fruits attract rodents, which attract snakes.

The Real Solution: Environmental Control

Plants alone cannot repel snakes. The most effective approach is a combination strategy:

1. Keep grass short and bushes trimmed
2. Remove piles of wood, stones, and debris
3. Control rats and frogs
4. Avoid stagnant water
5. Use plants with strong smells and rigid textures as support, not protection

Think of plants as helpers, not heroes.

Final Thought

There is no 100% sure or magical snake-repellent plant. Anyone promising otherwise is selling a myth.

The safest and smartest approach is environmental management combined with informed planting. When people understand how snakes think and survive, fear gives way to control and control is always better than superstition.