Plants against snails: These varieties keep the animals away

Natural defense
Are there really plants that drive snails out of the garden?

This year, many hobby gardeners are expecting a high number of snails in their beds. But where does this concern come from and are there plants that spoil the appetite of molluscs? We got to the bottom of the questions.

It rained a lot in 2023. A lot, actually. This was good for the groundwater table, even desperately needed. In the home garden, however, the wet summer caused disappointment and frustration. Not only in terms of the harvest, but also for the following season: The fact is that the rain was a real blessing for unwanted guests like snails. In addition, the mild winter contributed to the fact that the molluscs could have produced offspring well into December. And it is now hatching in spring – with a great appetite for fresh green. Since we’ve already covered it, like you To combat snails, we would like to address the question in this article of whether there are plants that the animals are not interested in.

These snails are feared in the garden

Before we address the question of whether there are snail-resistant plants, we would like to point out once again that not all molluscs in the garden are after your vegetables. “Most shell snails, such as the common banded snails, are practically unimportant as pests. They live mainly on dead plant material. The large garden snail – which is, by the way, a protected species – even helps the gardener because it also eats the slugs’ eggs.” , says the German Nature Conservation Association (NABU for short).

The tiger snail also poses no danger to the garden. On the contrary: the slug feeds mainly on decayed plant parts and dead animals. The situation is different with the Spanish snail, the garden snail and the field snail: These species are among the molluscs that have a particularly large appetite and can literally eat entire fields bare. It remains questionable whether they will really be driven out of the garden if flowers, perennials or herbs are planted that deter them. But it helps if they avoid the plants.

Which plants help against snails?

Sweet thistle

It’s not just snails that avoid your prickly thistles. Nevertheless, their silvery to light blue flowers, which appear in summer (July to September), are an important source of food for bees and insects. The easy-care and drought-tolerant one plant Prefers a wind-protected and sunny location, but also grows in partial shade.

Nasturtium

These plants have several advantages: they not only displace unwanted wild growth, but also scare away snails (and ants). In addition, their mostly red or yellow flowers are edible – if they are not covered in aphids. The Nasturtium Although it does not tolerate frost, it can easily be re-sown every year.

Peonies

Whether pink, red, white or multicolored: Peonies are a true phenomenon in the garden. Although the intensely colored flowers only appear in early summer, the perennial and hardy fragrant perennials are avoided by snails all year round. As far as the ideal location is concerned, the plants prefer a sunny to partially shaded spot.

Columbine

The hardy and perennial wild perennial Columbine ‘Earlybird Red Yellow‘Don’t have to be afraid of snails either. Its red-yellow flowers, which offer bees plenty of nectar, appear in their full glory (best in a sunny to semi-shaded location) between May and July – in beds as well as in planters. Another plus point: The maintenance effort should be very low.

Snapdragons

The colorful cut flowers are probably also avoided by snails. From April you can even sow the seeds directly outdoors – it doesn’t matter whether you Snapdragon mix (Antirrhinum majus) want to grow on the balcony, in the bed or rock garden. The only important thing is that you choose a sunny to partially shaded spot.

These herbs are safe from slugs

Not only are there lots of flowers and perennials that snails avoid, but also herbs. The essential oils it contains are said to have a deterrent effect on the molluscs – but this theory has not been scientifically proven. Either way, herbs are a real eye-catcher on the balcony or in the garden. They can also be used as spices. And their flowers are an important source of food for many insects. Below we list a few herbs that snails avoid and are therefore used between susceptible plants:

But be careful: Basil, dill, marjoram and (young) parsley are an exception – because these herbs are often eaten by slugs.

Sources: NABU, Geo

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