You would probably think of bright flowers, ornamental trees, or even a vegetable garden if you want to transform your yard into a lush paradise. But some plants may attract unwelcome guests—snakes. Although these slithering creatures aren’t bad for the environment, and can even be used for pest control, if you’d prefer to keep them out of your yard, knowing which plants might attract them is half the battle.
Some plants that create dense cover or attract prey, such as rodents and insects, can make your yard a snake-friendly zone unintentionally. If you aren’t a fan of these cold-blooded guests, here are some plants you might want to think twice about.
Groundcovers
Snakes love to use ivy and juniper as groundcovers for their hideout. Snakes can easily go unnoticed in these low-growing plants, as they grow dense and shady. Keep an eye on these plants, which provide the ultimate cover to rest, hunt, or avoid predators.
Tall Grasses
While ornamental grasses may look elegant in your yard, they also make great hiding spots for snakes. With untrimmed tall grass, snakes have a cool place to wait patiently for small prey. If you don’t want snakes to be attracted to grasses, try keeping them trimmed short.
Plants on Mulch Beds
Most plants in beds attract snakes. Mulch might be good for your plants, but it’s also an invitation for snakes. Snakes like warmth and moisture, and mulch provides both. Plus, it attracts rodents and insects, making your yard even more attractive to a hungry snake.
Berry Bushes
Snakes love raspberry, blackberry, and other berry bushes. It’s not that snakes are after the berries, but because berry bushes attract rodents and birds to your garden, which are both part of the menu for many snake species. To keep snake activity away from your property, keep the area around these bushes clean and free of dropped fruit.
Plants With Compost Piles
If you have plants on compost piles or frequently add compost to plants’ surroundings, they could double as a plant nutrient and a snake sanctuary. Small animals such as mice and insects are attracted to compost, and so are snakes. Snakes also like the warm, damp environment of a compost pile.
Plants in Rock Gardens
While rock gardens may be beautiful, they also can turn into snake condos. Snakes like cool shady areas, which are created from the spaces between rocks, where they like to hide during the heat of the day. Planning a rock garden? Smaller rocks and filling in the gaps will help prevent unwanted guests.
Cedar Trees
According to Greenkin, Cedar trees might make for great shade, but they also make for perfect snake cover. Snakes love the moist, shady environment of dense branches and thick leaf litter below. If you have cedar trees in your yard, snakes can be kept from under them by keeping the area beneath them clean.
Flowering Vines
Wisteria and honeysuckle vines may be just the romantic, whimsical touch you want in your garden, but they can also provide excellent cover for snakes. These climbing plants contain shallows of growth, where snakes lie in hiding. These plants can be kept under control by regular pruning.
Plants Near Water Features
Snakes often take cover in plants near water sources. The snake hides in plain sight, waiting for unsuspecting prey to come for a drink. These water sources draw in small, threatened animal food such as frogs and insects. Snakes, then, attack these animals, getting a meal and a drink. Then, it retreats to the plant for shade and rest.
Cacti and Succulents
Prickly plants like cacti might seem obvious deterrents to snakes, but these can often actually draw in certain types of snakes, particularly in a desert setting. These plants are more attractive to snakes than you might think, because of the small animals they attract and the shade they provide.
Fruit Trees
Another potential snake attractant is fruit trees, not because snakes eat fruit, but because they attract rodents. Rats and mice will be attracted to fallen fruit, and snakes will follow. Picking up any fallen fruit is an easy way to keep your yard snake-free.
Bushy Shrubs
Snakes are also attracted to thick, bushy shrubs like boxwood. These shrubs make great cover for snakes to hide in or to rest in and hunt without being seen. Pruning shrubs in your yard may help keep snakes away.
