5 Plants That Repel Slugs, According to Gardening Experts

A closeup view of a slug on green foliage — Credit:
Boogich / Getty Images

If you've ever seen jagged holes in the cabbages, lettuces, and other greens growing in your garden, there's a good chance you have a slug problem. Even if you don't grow leafy greens, slugs can damage other food crops, such as beans and strawberries, as well as flowers like lilies or larkspur. However, this doesn't mean you need to use harsh pesticides to get rid of these garden pests—growing plants that slugs don't like offers an all-natural solution that simultaneously adds beauty to your garden. Ahead, we're sharing five plants gardening experts say slugs won't eat.

Teri Speight, landscape gardener, gardening coach, podcast host, and co-author of The Urban Garden
Kathy Jentz, host of the GardenDC Podcast and co-author of The Urban Garden

01 of 05

Lady's Mantle

Wouldn't it be handy if a slug-repelling plant were easy to grow and adaptable to a variety of soil and lighting conditions? Good news—you can find these attributes in lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis), a perennial herb that grows lovely star-shaped leaves and delicate yellow blossoms. "One of my all-time favorite plants that is known to deter slugs is lady’s mantle," says gardening coach and author Teri Speight. "Many plants with a hairy or textured leaf will not usually be appealing to slugs. That roughness on their undersides makes it difficult for them to enjoy a meal in the garden."

02 of 05

Sea Holly

In a shady garden, sea holly (Acanthus mollis) is a great deterrent, says Speight. "The foliage is not worth the nibble," she says. Sea holly, also known as bear's breeches, produces beautiful flower spikes and large, attractive leaves that slugs find unappealing. These herbaceous perennials can add a touch of vertical height to your garden pathways or landscaping.

03 of 05

Ferns

Closeup view of fern fronds overlapping and forming a dense pattern — Ed Reschke / Getty Images

Ferns (Polypodiopsida) are low-maintenance plants that add visual interest and texture to the shady areas of your landscape. In addition to their landscaping appeal, ferns are known for being unattractive to slugs, says gardening expert Kathy Jentz. This is due to their thick, tough foliage, which is difficult for slugs to snack on.

04 of 05

Rue

Dense cluster of small flowers with surrounding green foliage — Getty Images

A small woody shrub, rue (Ruta graveolens), produces very aromatic leaves, making it unattractive to slugs. "Its strong scent and bitter taste make it highly unappealing to these pests, often causing them to avoid areas where it is planted," says Jentz. Rue blooms with tiny, bright yellow flowers that add color and a touch of whimsy to gardens.

05 of 05

Some Scented Herbs

close-up of fresh rosemary — gaffera / Getty Images

Herbs are generally easy to grow and propagate quickly to fill in vacant areas of the garden, plus, many scented herbs will keep insects away. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), mint (Mentha), sage (Salvia officinalis), and lavender (Lavandula) are all good choices, says Jentz. She adds that the stiff leaves and highly scented foliage make these plants unappealing to slugs.

Always grow mint in containers, as this herb is invasive and will take over gardens if left unchecked.

5 Plants That Naturally Repel Slugs—and Protect Your Garden From Damage

Lady's Mantle

Sea Holly

Ferns

Rue

Some Scented Herbs

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