Top 12+ Plants That Will Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard, Pest Experts Say
4. Holly
Like snake plants, holly plants—which you may recognize for their holiday season-approved red berries and pronged leaves—can keep snakes away thanks to the surface of their prickly leaves.
"The unpleasant texture is usually easy enough for snakes to avoid," Phillips says. For additional snake repellent, she suggests spreading holly leaves around your yard.
7. Basil
In pesto, on pizza, and in certain summery cocktails, humans love basil—largely because it smells amazing. But snakes, on the other hand, find it repulsive.
"Snakes cannot stand the smell of basil," McCollough says. "Basil is also able to grow indoors if your snake problem exceeds your patio or garden."
10. Garlic
When it comes to Italian cooking, basil and garlic go hand-in-hand. And as it turns out, they're both good at repelling snakes, too.
"Some people believe that the strong smell of garlic repels snakes," explains Middleton. "Planting garlic around your garden or using garlic-based sprays may provide some deterrence."
