8 Squirrel Repelling Plants for a Squirrel Free Garden

Sharing is caring!

Gardeners often find themselves in a constant battle with squirrels that invade gardens, digging up bulbs, and feasting on fruits, vegetables, and flowers. While these furry visitors may look cute, their destruction can be frustrating.

Fortunately, integrating certain plants into your garden can help deter squirrels naturally. These plants possess characteristics such as strong scents, bitter tastes, or specific textures that squirrels find unappealing. Let’s explore eight specific plants that can keep your garden squirrel-free.

8 Squirrel Repelling Plants for a Squirrel-Free Garden

1. Allium (Allium spp.)

Alliums, with their striking globe-shaped flowers, are not only a visual delight but also a powerful squirrel repellent. These plants, which range in size from small chives to towering ornamental varieties, emit a strong onion or garlic scent that squirrels find offensive.

• Basic care needs: Full sun, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
• Other benefits: Alliums are also known to repel deer and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

2. Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)

Daffodils, with their bright, cheerful blooms, are a springtime favorite. Beyond their beauty, they contain a toxic alkaloid called lycorine, which is a strong squirrel deterrent.

• Basic care needs: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
• Other benefits: Deer resistant and known for their robustness, making them excellent for naturalizing in the garden.

3. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)

Marigolds are not only known for their vibrant orange and yellow flowers but also for their pungent smell, which squirrels find particularly unpleasant.

• Basic care needs: Full sun, well-draining soil, regular watering.
• Other benefits: They are great companion plants, as their scent also deters other pests and their roots can fend off nematodes.

4. Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.)

Geraniums offer a dual approach to repelling squirrels: their strong scent and their bitter taste. Available in a range of colors, they can make a garden beautiful while keeping it squirrel-free.

• Basic care needs: Full sun, well-draining soil, regular watering but allow soil to dry out between waterings.
• Other benefits: Geraniums are also popular for repelling mosquitoes and are generally deer resistant.

5. Mint (Mentha spp.)

Mint’s vigorous growth and strong, refreshing scent make it an effective squirrel repellent. However, it’s invasive, so it’s best grown in pots to prevent it from taking over your garden.

• Basic care needs: Full sun to partial shade, consistently moist soil, regular watering.
• Other benefits: Mint is incredibly versatile, useful in culinary recipes, and attracts beneficial insects.

6. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)

Hyacinths are highly fragrant spring bloomers with dense flower spikes. Similar to daffodils, they contain compounds that are toxic to squirrels, making them an excellent choice for a squirrel-free garden.

• Basic care needs: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
• Other benefits: Their strong fragrance is not only a squirrel deterrent but can also add a delightful scent to your garden and attract pollinators.

7. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Lavender, with its soothing fragrance and beautiful purple blooms, is a wonderful addition to any garden. Its scent is disliked by squirrels, and its essential oils are too strong for their sensitive noses.

• Basic care needs: Full sun, well-draining soil, low to moderate watering.
• Other benefits: Lavender is also deer resistant, attracts bees and butterflies, and can be used in a variety of culinary and medicinal preparations.

8. Fritillaries (Fritillaria spp.)

Fritillaries are known for their unique, bell-shaped flowers and are an excellent choice for repelling squirrels due to their skunky odor. They are particularly effective when planted among tulips and other bulbs that squirrels typically feast on.

• Basic care needs: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
• Other benefits: Besides repelling squirrels, fritillaries can provide an unusual aesthetic to your garden with their striking appearance.

Conclusion

Incorporating these eight squirrel-repelling plants into your garden strategy offers a dual advantage: enhancing your garden’s beauty and biodiversity while naturally deterring squirrels. By selecting plants with strong scents, bitter tastes, or specific textures that squirrels avoid, you can enjoy a more peaceful and undisturbed gardening experience. Moreover, many of these plants offer additional benefits, such as attracting pollinators, repelling other pests, and providing culinary or medicinal uses, making them valuable additions to any garden.