Plants That Repel Skunks

If you’re tired of skunks turning your yard into their nightly playground, you’re in the right place. Using plants that repel skunks is a natural and effective way to reclaim your outdoor space. These fragrant guardians work by creating an environment that skunks find unpleasant, encouraging them to move along without any harsh chemicals or traps. This guide will show you exactly which plants to choose and how to use them strategically for the best results.

Let’s get started on making your garden less inviting to these striped visitors.

This list focuses on plants with strong scents that overwhelm a skunk’s sensitive nose. Their powerful aromas mask the smells of food and grubs, making your yard less interesting. Remember, consistency is key—these plants work best as a living barrier when maintained well.

1. Marigolds (Tagetes)

Marigolds are a top choice for many gardeners dealing with pests. Their distinct, pungent smell is offensive to skunks, rabbits, and even nematodes in the soil. They’re easy to grow from seed or starter plants and provide bright color all season.

How to Use: Plant them in dense borders around the perimeter of your yard, especially near potential entry points like under decks or sheds.
Best Varieties: French marigolds (Tagetes patula) have the strongest scent.
Planting Tip: They love full sun and well-drained soil. Deadhead regularly to promote more blooms.

2. Garlic (Allium sativum)

Skunks have a very acute sense of smell, and the powerful sulfur compounds in garlic are too much for them. Planting garlic serves a double purpose: you deter pests and get a culinary harvest.

How to Use: Interplant garlic bulbs throughout your vegetable garden or flower beds. The smell will help protect nearby plants too.
Best Varieties: Any hardneck or softneck garlic will work effectively.
Planting Tip: Plant cloves in the fall for a summer harvest. The lingering scent in the soil after harvest continues to provide some benefit.

3. Onions & Chives (Allium family)

Like garlic, all alliums release strong odors that skunks avoid. Chives, in particular, are a great low-maintenance option that comes back year after year.

How to Use: Use chives as an edging plant. Their purple spring flowers are also attractive to pollinators.
Best Varieties: Common chives (Allium schoenoprasum) or Egyptian walking onions.
Planting Tip: Divide chive clumps every few years to keep them vigorous and spread them to new areas.

4. Lavender (Lavandula)

While we find lavender’s scent calming, many animals, including skunks and deer, do not appreciate its strong perfume. It’s a beautiful, drought-tolerant addition that adds structure to your garden.

Make sure you choose an english lavender variety for colder climates, as they are more hardy.

How to Use: Plant lavender near seating areas or walkways where you can enjoy its scent and where skunks might wander.
Best Varieties: ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead’ for compact growth and intense fragrance.
Planting Tip: Lavender needs excellent drainage and full sun. Avoid overwatering.

5. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

This woody herb has a sharp, pine-like scent that is unappealing to skunks. It’s an evergreen in warmer climates, providing year-round protection.

How to Use: Grow rosemary in pots near doorways or as a hedge in sunny, well-drained spots.
Best Varieties: Upright varieties like ‘Tuscan Blue’ are great for hedging.
Planting Tip: It can be sensitive to wet roots in winter. If you have heavy soil, growing it in a container is a smart choice.

6. Mint (Mentha)

Warning: Mint is incredibly invasive! Its strong menthol aroma is a great skunk deterrent, but it must be contained.

How to Use: Always plant mint in pots or buried containers to prevent it from taking over your entire garden.
Best Varieties: Peppermint has the strongest scent.
Planting Tip: Place potted mint near garbage cans, compost bins, or other areas that might attract skunks with food smells.

7. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Another member of the mint family, lemon balm has a strong citrusy smell that can help mask attractants. It’s also somewhat invasive, so container growth is recommended.

How to Use: Crush the leaves occasionally to release more of the potent oils into the air.
Best Varieties: The standard species is very effective.
Planting Tip: It can tolerate some shade, making it versatile for different garden spots.

8. Thorny or Prickly Plants

While not fragrant, creating a physical barrier is a smart tactic. Skunks are diggers but don’t like pushing through uncomfortable foliage.

Good Options: Holly bushes, barberry, or gooseberry. Roses planted along a fence line can also help.
How to Use: Plant these as a defensive hedge in front of potential den sites, like the space under a porch.
Planting Tip: Be mindful that some thorny plants, like barberry, can be invasive in certain regions. Check local guidelines.

Strategic Garden Layout for Skunk Deterrence

It’s not just what you plant, but where you plant it. Think like a skunk. They are looking for food (grubs, fallen fruit, garbage) and shelter (dense brush, spaces under structures).

Create a Perimeter Defense

Your first line of defense is the border of your property. Plant a mixed barrier of strong-smelling herbs and prickly plants.

Map out your yard’s edge, especially areas backing onto woods or fields.
Alternate plantings of lavender, rosemary, and marigolds.
Add a thorny shrub every few feet for a physical deterrent.
Keep this border well-trimmed so it’s dense but not so overgrown it becomes a habitat.

Protect High-Risk Zones

Focus extra effort on areas that are natural skunk magnets.

Under Decks & Sheds: Before sealing these areas off with wire mesh, plant mint or lavender in containers around the opening. The smell will discourage investigation.
Vegetable Gardens: Intercrop rows of vegetables with rows of garlic, onions, or marigolds. This confuses and repels skunks looking for a quick meal.
Garbage & Compost Areas: This is crucial. Surround your bins with pots of rosemary, mint, and marigolds. The strong scents will help cover the smell of food waste.
Lawn Areas: If grubs are your main issue (a skunk’s favorite food), treating your lawn is essential. While you address the grub problem, plant borders of chives or marigolds around the lawn’s edge.

Maintenance is Key

A neglected garden is an invitation. Skunks feel safe in tall grass and weedy areas.

Mow your lawn regularly to eliminate cover.
Remove fallen fruit and berries from the ground promptly.
Trim the bottom branches of shrubs to eliminate hiding spots.
Water your repellent plants appropriately—healthy plants release more of their essential oils.

Complementary Natural Deterrents

Plants are your foundation, but combining them with other natural methods creates a stronger defense. Here are a few things you can do alongside planting.

Light and Sound

Skunks are nocturnal and prefer darkness and quiet.

Install motion-activated lights or sprinklers in problem areas. The sudden light or spray of water will startle them away.
A radio talk show left on low volume near a den site can make the area feel less safe and inhabited.

Natural Repellent Sprays

You can make a booster spray using the very plants you’re growing.

Steep a large handful of crushed mint, garlic, or hot pepper flakes in a gallon of hot water for 24 hours.
Strain the mixture and add a tablespoon of biodegradable dish soap (helps it stick to surfaces).
Spray this around the perimeter of your garden, on trash cans, and near den entrances. Reapply after heavy rain.

Habitat Modification

This is the most important step. Remove the reasons skunks are there in the first place.

Seal Shelters: Use sturdy wire mesh to block off openings under porches, sheds, and decks. Bury the mesh at least a foot deep to prevent digging.
Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on garbage and compost bins. Feed pets indoors and don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
Control Grubs: Treat your lawn with beneficial nematodes or milky spore disease to kill grubs organically. A grub-free lawn is a much less tasty lawn for a skunk.

What to Avoid in Your Garden

Some common garden practices can accidentally attract skunks. Be mindful of these pitfalls.

Overwatering: A soggy lawn attracts earthworms and grubs, which in turn attract skunks.
Bird Feeders: Spilled seed on the ground is a food source. Use tray catchers and clean up regularly, or consider pausing feeding during a severe skunk problem.
Dense Ground Cover: Ivy or pachysandra can provide perfect daytime hiding spots. If you have these, keep them meticulously trimmed.
Rock Piles & Woodpiles: These can become den sites. Keep them neat, elevated off the ground, and away from your house if possible.

FAQ Section

What smells do skunks hate the most?

Skunks despise strong, pungent smells like citrus, ammonia, garlic, and the scent of predators (like dog or human hair). The plants listed here, like mint, garlic, and marigolds, capitalize on this aversion.

Will these plants also keep away other animals?

Yes, many of these plants are multi-taskers. Marigolds repel rabbits and some insects. Garlic and onions deter deer and aphids. Mint can discourage ants and mice. It’s a holistic approach to garden pest control.

How long does it take for plants to repel skunks effectively?

You need to establish a mature, fragrant barrier. While some effect is immediate, for a full deterrent, plan on one full growing season. The plants need time to grow and fill in. In the meantime, use the natural sprays mentioned above.

Are there any flowers that attract skunks?

Skunks aren’t really attracted to flowers themselves. They are attracted to the grubs, insects, and shelter that might be found in a garden. However, gardens with lots of ground-level, dense foliage without repellent plants are more inviting.

Is it safe to use these plants if I have pets?

Most are safe, but always research pet safety. For example, mint and lavender are generally fine, but some plants can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. Its always best to check the ASPCA list if you’re unsure about a specific plant and your dog or cat.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a skunk?

Plants are a long-term solution. For an immediate skunk in your yard, the best method is to make the area uncomfortable: turn on bright lights and a radio overnight. Never try to trap or approach a skunk yourself due to the risk of spraying.

Final Thoughts on a Skunk-Free Garden

Creating a garden that naturally repels skunks is about building a consistent, multi-layered defense. Start by planting your fragrant barriers this season. Focus on those high-risk areas like compost bins and deck perimeters. Combine your plantings with smart habitat changes, like securing food and sealing dens.

Remember, patience is important. As your repellent plants grow and fill out, their effectiveness will increase. You’ll not only enjoy a more peaceful yard, but also a beautiful, fragrant garden filled with useful herbs and flowers. The key is to be proactive and persistent, and soon you’ll notice those unwanted nightly visitors have decided to bother someone else.