Yes, there are certain plants that attract snakes. And yes again, many of them are very common in an Aussie backyard.
While there are many plants that have scents and spikes that can repel these scaly reptiles, there are also quite a few that can lure them in. Think grassy areas, plants that have lots of places to hide, climbing vines and even scented flowers that smell lovely to a snake.
If you live in a snake-heavy area, you may want to think twice before adding any of these plant species to your garden:
1. Long grasses
It’s definitely an unspoken rule in Australian households to always keep the grass neat and tidy. This isn’t just for looks, though. Snakes love to hide and relax in long grasses, especially if they provide shade and protection from predators such as owls.
Normal turf grasses, like buffalo, can become quite unruly if left too long between mowing, so make sure to keep them as short as possible. Ornamental and native grasses, like Poa species, Lomandra and Pampas grass, are also loved by snakes.
2. Groundcovers
English ivy, periwinkle, clover and native groundcovers like creeping grevillea and native violet are similar to long grass. They provide a nice, dense cover for snakes to feel safe and secure in. Although groundcovers are distinctly shorter than long grass, snakes still love any extra coverage.
Many of these groundcovers also provide homes to insects, small mammals and other reptiles that are the prey of many snake species. With a ground cover, a snake can get a bed to sleep in and a good feed!
3. Vines and creepers
Vines and creepers are especially helpful to tree snakes and snakes that love a climb. Aussie snake species like the Common Tree snake, Carpet Python and Brown Tree snake use trees to hunt for prey, and inhabit.
Vines like wisteria and English ivy, when grown on trellises and frames, can be the perfect spot for a snake to camp out in. The likelihood of a snake hiding in your vine is increased if you’ve got lots of trees close by that they could easily slither to and from.
4. Scented species
Jasmine and sandalwood are usually scents you associate with a nice candle, not a snake! These two bushy plants are great homes for snakes because of their nice scent and thick, shaggy foliage.
Sandalwood also has stems and branches that provide a lot of coolness, which is perfect for snakes out in hot, Aussie weather.
5. Plants that offer shade
Although snakes are cold-blooded and love a sunspot to bake in, they also need shade and coolness to thrive. Evergreen trees like cypress and juniper are perfect for creating a mostly permanent home for a snake, as they can always feel safe under their branches. Ferns and other shady species with big leaves, like banana plants, offer nice shade as well.
