The Colorful Flower People Plant To Repel Snakes (& Does It Actually Work?)

Having snakes slithering through your backyard can be worrisome, but it turns out there may be a beautiful plant that doubles as natural snake repellent. Allium flowers, which are also known as flowering or ornamental onions, produce gorgeous purple blooms that will make your space look stunning and possibly ward off unwanted visitors. Several online sources boast that these unique flowers can keep snakes out of your yard due to the strong smell. While there don't seem to be any scientific studies that show allium flowers specifically repel snakes, there is some evidence that onions can do the trick. Since these plants are related and both contain the same chemical that causes the powerful scent, allium flowers might be able to help drive away snakes, but it's not guaranteed.

Though growing flowering onions is not a fool-proof method for keeping snakes out of your garden, there's no harm in planting these stunning blossoms to test it for yourself and see if the snakes disappear. If not, be prepared to try other, proven methods for repelling these reptiles. It may be best to call a professional if you're concerned the snakes are venomous or if you've continuously struggled to keep them away.

Though it's not proven, some online blogs claim that the sulfur in allium flower plants produces a strong smell that disgusts snakes. While there are no scientific studies about this, there is some scientific research about onions (Allium cepa) being used to repel snakes. An ethnobotanical study from 2021 published by the Research Journal of Pharmacognosy discusses how onions have been used by people in Ghana to repel snakes. In this region, onions are crushed and spread nearby to help deter snakes, as it's believed they don't like the scent. Additionally, some pest experts support the idea that onions can repel slithering reptiles. Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention, told Homes and Gardens, "Having a strong scent, plants like garlic and onions can deter snakes and other pests." If you'd like to try using allium flowers to keep snakes from slithering around your yard, they grow from USDA zones four through nine and should be planted along the border of your property or where you've seen snakes.

For those who don't want to experiment to find out if allium flowers will get rid of snakes, you might try some other simple tactics to keep them out of your space. Keeping the grass short can deter snakes, as they can't hide in it, as well as removing any piles of yard debris. Refraining from feeding birds and other animals can also help to make prey scarcer for snakes.