Plants That Repel Skunks

If you’re tired of skunks visiting your garden, you’re not alone. These striped visitors can dig up lawns and leave behind a strong smell. The good news is, you can use plants that repel skunks to create a natural barrier. This method is safe, effective, and adds beauty to your outdoor space.

Skunks are usually looking for two things: food and shelter. They eat grubs, insects, and fallen fruit, and they like to make dens under decks or sheds. By removing these attractions and planting specific herbs and flowers, you can encourage them to move along without any harm.

Certain plants have strong scents that skunks find unpleasant. These smells mask the odors of food and make your garden less inviting. Here are some of the best options to consider planting around the perimeter of your yard or near problem areas.

Strong-Scented Herbs

Herbs are wonderful for cooking and for pest control. Their potent oils are what does the trick.

Lavender: Its beautiful purple flowers and calming scent are loved by people but disliked by skunks and other pests. It’s a perennial, so it comes back year after year.
Mint: Be careful with this one—it spreads aggressively. It’s best planted in pots sunk into the ground. The strong aroma of peppermint or spearmint is very effective.
Rosemary: This woody herb has a sharp, pine-like scent. It thrives in sunny, well-drained spots and can grow into a large bush.
Thyme: Creeping thyme makes a great ground cover. When you walk on it or brush against it, it releases its fragrance.
Oregano: Another spreading herb, oregano has a pungent smell that helps mask other garden odors.

Flowers with Deterring Scents

Don’t overlook flowering plants. Many have scents that are pleasant to us but work as natural skunk deterrents.

Marigolds: These are a classic garden protector. Their distinct smell repels skunks, rabbits, and even nematodes in the soil. They are easy to grow from seed.
Alliums (Ornamental Onions): These include plants like garlic, chives, and giant globe alliums. They smell like their onion cousins, which is a major turn-off for many mammals.
Geraniums: Particularly the citronella or lemon-scented varieties. Their bright blooms and strong citrus fragrance can help keep pests at bay.
Daffodils: These spring bulbs are toxic if eaten, so animals learn to avoid them. They can provide early-season protection before other plants grow in.

Other Useful Plants

A few other plants can play a supporting role in your skunk-deterring strategy.

Ferns: While not strongly scented, thick fern beds can remove hiding spots, making your garden less appealing for shelter.
Boxwood or Holly: Dense, prickly shrubs can create a physical barrier that skunks are reluctant to push through.

How to Use These Plants Effectively

Just planting one mint plant won’t solve your problem. You need a strategic plan. Here’s how to use these plants for the best results.

1. Create a Perimeter Border

Plant a continuous border of repellent plants around the edge of your property or garden. Mix tall plants like rosemary with low-growing ones like thyme for a full barrier. This is your first line of defence.

2. Protect Specific Areas

Focus on places where skunks enter or where they like to forage. Plant marigolds and alliums around vegetable patches. Place pots of mint or lavender near deck stairs, shed doors, or other potential den sites.

3. Combine with Good Garden Hygiene

Plants work best when you also remove the reason skunks are there. Follow these steps:

Keep your lawn free of fallen fruit and berries.
Use natural grub control to eliminate a major food source.
Secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
Block off access to spaces under porches with wire mesh.

4. Refresh the Scents Regularly

The oils in the plants are most potent when the leaves are touched or bruised. Gently brush against your herbs when you walk by to release more scent. After rain, you may need to do this more often, as the water can dampen the aromas.

What to Avoid in Your Garden

Some common plants or items can actually attract skunks. Be mindful of these:

Birdseed on the ground: Skunks will eat this. Use tray feeders that catch seeds.
Dense, unmowed ground cover: Ivy or overgrown grass provides perfect hiding spots.
Compost piles with kitchen scraps: Bury food waste deep in the compost or use a sealed bin.

A Sample Garden Layout Plan

Here’s a simple idea for a corner of your yard that’s prone to visits:

Along the back fence, plant a row of lavender.
In front of the lavender, plant a few rosemary bushes for height.
Edge the bed with a low border of marigolds.
Near the entrance point, sink a pot of mint into the ground.
Add a patch of chives near your vegetable garden, which might be close by.

This layered approach combines multiple scents and creates an unattractive environment for a skunk.

When Plants Aren’t Enough

Sometimes, a skunk family is already settled in. In this case, plants are more of a long-term solution. You may need to first encourage them to leave by using other humane methods, like placing a radio talk show near their den at night or sprinkling citrus peels. Once they’ve moved on, then establish your repellent plants to prevent their return.

Remember, consistency is key. It might take a full season of growth for your plants to establish and create a strong enough scent barrier. Be patient and maintain your garden, and you’ll likely see a reduction in unwanted visits.

FAQ

What smells do skunks hate the most?

Skunks have sensitive noses and dislike strong citrus, ammonia, garlic, and the essential oils of herbs like mint and lavender. These are the basis for most natural repellents.

Will these plants also repel other animals?

Yes, many of these plants deter a variety of common garden pests. Marigolds repel rabbits and deer, mint can deter mice, and alliums are avoided by many insects and mammals.

How quickly will I see results after planting?

You need to allow the plants to grow to a decent size so they release enough scent. For small starter plants, it could take a few months. For faster results, use larger nursery plants and remember to bruise the leaves gently to release oils.

Are there any plants that attract skunks?

Skunks aren’t really attracted to specific plants. They are attracted to the food sources that might be in your garden, like grubs under the lawn or insects on your plants. They also like dense cover for hiding.

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

Most of these plants are safe, but always check. For example, some alliums can be toxic to dogs and cats in large quantities. Mint is generally safe but can cause stomach upset if a pet eats a lot. It’s always best to supervise pets in the garden.