11 Plants That May Keep Moles Out of Your Yard

If you’ve recently noticed raised ridges in your yard, you might have a mole issue. These little rodents can do a lot of damage to your lawn and garden. While the damage may not be extensive yet, it can become detrimental to your plants as they harm the roots as they burrow through the soil, looking for food. Once they are present, you have several options to send them packing. However, you might not notice them until the damage is done. 

First, consider if moles are a major problem in your landscape. While plant damage is frustrating and their mounds are unsightly, they actually offer many benefits to the garden. Moles eat rose-ravaging Japanese beetles and consume the white grub pests that plague turf lawns. They also aerate the soil, fighting compaction. If you feel they are a serious problem, you may need to adopt measures like traps to control them effectively.  

If you want to try a gentle and low-hassle approach to making moles feel unwelcome in your yard, anecdotal evidence purports that certain plants may deter them from your garden. Here, I share 11 plants that are commonly claimed to deter moles. 

What Are Moles?

Moles are small insectivores that dig extensive tunnels underground to find their food. Most of them exclusively dine on insects, though some are aquatic and eat fish as well. They have very poor eyesight but a highly acute sense of touch and can dig up to 160 feet in a single night, which is when they do their digging. 

These mammals birth their young in these underground tunnels and have up to five young in a litter. They can quickly multiply and do significant damage to your lawn and garden. As they tunnel in search of insects, they do aerate the soil, which can be beneficial. However, they also destroy the roots of your grass and other plants. 

You can identify moles by their extensive tunnels, which will look like slightly raised ridges. When you step on them, they will cave in and flatten. If you miss this sign, you may notice strips of grass turning brown as it dies. For gardeners, this is especially troubling, as the grass isn’t the only plant they damage. 

What Attracts Them?

The biggest mole attractor is a bountiful food supply. They come in search of food, which consists of worms, grubs, ants, and other insects that live underground. 

They are also attracted to moist soil, so when you plant new grass, regular irrigation can draw them. Moist soil is easier for them to tunnel through, and that makes their quest for food much easier. 

Plants That Repel Them

In addition to their excellent sense of touch, moles also have an acute sense of smell. Certain plants have a strong scent, which they don’t like, so these may keep them at bay. Other plants reduce the insect populations, which means less mole food, making it more likely they’ll find their way to a better source.

Daffodil

	botanical name Narcissus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-30”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Daffodil bulbs are unappealing to these little creatures because of a chemical in their underground bulbs. This chemical, lycorine, has a bitter taste and is also poisonous to animals. The bitter flavor deters animals from eating them, which is a good thing because of their toxicity. 

Plant these pretty spring flowers around the edge of your beds to stop them in their tracks. They are happiest in well-draining soil, and they don’t have to be in bloom to do their job. The bulbs remain all year and keep these animals out. 

Allium

	botanical name Allium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Alliums are ornamental onions, and they include many species, including shallots. Few gardeners grow the majority of these flowering plants to eat. They are mostly ornamental. They are toxic to animals, which is reason enough for moles to keep clear. 

Their toxicity is not the only way alliums ward off these garden enemies. Their bulbs also have a strong scent that moles are averse to, which keeps them from burrowing in proximity. Plant these around the edges of beds and anywhere else you want to keep them away from. 

Crown Imperial

	botanical name Fritillaria imperialis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Crown imperials are beautiful plants with gorgeous, bell-shaped flowers that attract beneficial insects. Their bulbs have a musky smell that some liken to the scent of a fox. Since foxes are predators of moles, they will steer far clear of these plants. They typically stay away from yards where dogs are present as well. 

You can expect to see hummingbirds if you plant crown imperials, which is a great benefit of planting them. They bloom in mid to late spring, just in time for the weather to warm enough for pollinators to emerge. In warmer climates, provide them with shade in the afternoon to prolong their season. 

Garlic

	botanical name Allium sativum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Garlic is a type of allium, which I covered earlier, but they bear mentioning because they repel these mammals for a different reason. While their scent is an issue, they also contain chemicals that interfere with their sensory receptors. They rely heavily on their sense of smell, which will keep them away from these bulbs. 

The smell garlic puts off is also off-putting to most animals and does a good job of keeping them out of your flower beds. Plus, it’s delicious! Plant your garlic bulbs in loose, well-draining soil and give them plenty of fertilizer. They are heavy feeders. 

Glory Lily

	botanical name Gloriosa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-6’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Much like other bulbs, glory lilies have a strong scent that keeps small animals away. They are beautiful plants that produce flashy flowers in shades of red, yellow, and purple. The petals curl upward and are an interesting addition to garden beds. 

These are not cold tolerant, so plant them in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. In cold climates, dig them up in the fall and store them in a cool, dry spot for the winter months. They are toxic to humans and can cause skin irritation, so make sure to wear gloves when you handle them.

Marigolds

	botanical name Tagetes spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-18”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Marigolds are fabulous for deterring pests of all kinds. They have a strong scent that repels moles and many insects, which are their only food source. Marigold roots also contain a chemical called alpha-terthienyl, which is toxic to some insects. When you get rid of the bugs, you get rid of the animals that eat them. 

Castor Bean

	botanical name Ricinus communis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6’-10’
	hardiness zones 9-11

The castor bean plant, which we derive castor oil from, is another effective deterrent. The seeds are toxic, containing ricin, which is a potent toxin. You can use the oil to repel them, but the roots should do the trick on their own. They have a strong scent, which is unpleasant to moles. 

Because the plant is poisonous to humans and animals, be cautious handling and planting this if you have pets or children. Plant it in areas that are not commonly traversed. It is drought-tolerant and grows in warm climates only. It is also an invasive species in the southeast US. Check with your extension office before planting. 

Caper Spurge

	botanical name Euphorbia lathyris
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Caper spurge is another poisonous plant that also goes by the names gopher spurge and mole plant. It’s a biennial and highly toxic to humans and animals. Its sap is particularly dangerous, so wear gloves when you handle it. Its sap repels many animals, including gophers and moles. 

Keep this plant away from areas where children and pets spend time. It can be lethal if ingested. It is related to poinsettia and the African milk tree. It is also an invasive species in California. Avoid planting if you live in its invasive range.

Mint

	botanical name Mentha spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 3’
	hardiness zones 3-11

All types of mint are good for deterring moles. While we may enjoy the scent and flavor of these herbs, animals typically do not. The crushed leaves are especially good at keeping them away. When you crush them, they release their oils and become more aromatic. 

Be careful about where you plant mint, as it can take over spaces quickly. It’s low maintenance and cold tolerant and likes well-drained soil. For the most part, mint is not difficult to grow under most conditions. Careful planting any of the invasive mint species in regions where they push out native plants.

Dill

	botanical name Anethum graveolens
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-5’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Dill is a tough plant that moles and other animals dislike the smell of. Planting this in your herb garden will protect it from digging critters that ruin your other herbs and plants. An added bonus, dill is a butterfly host plant and will attract pollinators, including the Eastern Black Swallowtail and the Anise Swallowtail. 

Dill is a cool-weather herb that has feathery foliage and produces pretty, delicate yellow flowers. It’s tasty to humans, but moles will steer clear of areas where you plant it. 

Fennel

	botanical name Foeniculum vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4’-6’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Fennel is tasty to humans with its sweet anise-like flavor. However, it contains a compound, anethole, which is toxic to moles. It causes disorientation, and the scent is repellant to them, too.