Curiosity about their tastes led to some digging around, uncovering helpful information that answered my question. What do groundhogs hate? Well, I found some things that shed light on their preferences. These plants act like a natural deterrent, making gardens less appealing, and with some trial and error, progress is showing. The approach blends practicality with a bit of grit, offering a way to reclaim outdoor spaces without constant worry.
What do groundhogs eat? We know the answer to that question. But the more important thing to consider is how to keep groundhogs out of the garden without harming them. Shifting pots, trimming back, and observing what groundhogs avoid has paid off, even if it’s not flawless. Occasional holes still pop up. Chats with neighbors have sparked more ideas, too.
Let’s explore turning that garden into a groundhog-free zone!
Why Groundhogs Love Your Yard
Groundhogs, or woodchucks, are those burrowing nuisances that zero in on yards with soft soil perfect for their tunnels. These tunnels can even sometimes stretch 25 to 30 feet with multiple entries. You’ll often catch them hanging out near compost piles, and munching away at peas and beans, which leaves behind a mess of chewed-up stems. They’ve got a real hunger for fresh greens, fruits, and even bark, turning a nice garden into their own personal all-you-can-eat buffet.
Come spring, female groundhogs wake from hibernation, scouting new spots after mating season. Overgrown patches with tall grass or brush piles draw them in. They like that neglected corner of your yard. They chomp on roots, nibble at young shoots. Not only that, but their digging tears up the soil, leaving gardeners frustrated and stuck replanting everything.
Groundhog burrows can catch you off guard, too. Groundhogs make little dirt mounds under sheds or decks that you don’t even notice until the damage is already done. Spotting these signs early helps you to disrupt their plans, making the yard less inviting and preserving what’s been planted with care.
Plants That Groundhogs Hate
These are plants that turn these critters away and have been a game-changer. After a rough season of chewed-up lettuce, the hunt for solutions began. Check out some of the plants I have turned to for a groundhog-proof garden.
1. Lavender
Lavender throws off this sharp smell that groundhogs can’t stand. This is from something called linalool. It loves soaking up sun in a raised bed with sandy soil, and only needs a drink when it’s looking a bit droopy. Those purple flowers start showing up from summer and keep going, while pots on the patio make a nice wall to keep the pests out.
Lavender has a soothing scent and is perfect for cottage gardens. Give it a trim following the 8-8-8 rule to keep it producing. This sturdy perennial can hit 2-3 feet tall, with silvery-green leaves that give it some character, and it draws in bees and butterflies, which is a bonus for any yard. (USDA Zones: 5-9). Find organic English lavender seeds at the Home Depot.
2. Marigolds
Marigolds give off a scent that groundhogs can’t handle thanks to thiophenes. They settle into full sun with decent soil, needing water only when the top layer dries out, and a quick pinch of dead bits keeps them lively. Pots along the fence splash some color around.
These annuals explode with orange, yellow, or red blooms, stretching 6-18 inches tall, and their roots churn out a natural pesticide, giving a boost to nearby plants too. (USDA Zones: Annual, grown in all zones). Find a beautiful marigold seed mix at the Home Depot.
3. Mint
Varieties of mint and their menthol whiff sends groundhogs packing. It sits in shaded pots to keep it from taking over, soaking up plenty of water, and leaves get plucked for a nice tea. Planted near veggies, it wards them off with a pleasant scent, though its wild growth can be a bit of a handful. Growing mint in pots is a great way to contain its aggressive growth.
This fast-spreading perennial stretches 1-2 feet, sporting bright green leaves that differ by type (spearmint, peppermint), and it shines for cooking or whipping up a refreshing brew. Find peppermint seeds at Lowe's.
4. Sage
Sage gives off a chemical called camphor that has a zing that groundhogs just can’t handle. It roots down in a sunny patch with dry soil, only taking water when it’s parched, and gets a snip after the flowers fade. Sage works a treat in an herb patch or pots by the entrance, spicing up cooking, though a careless trim might leave a sting.
This tough perennial climbs to 1-2 feet, sporting soft, gray-green leaves ideal for drying into seasoning, and it loves a scorching, dry spot. (USDA Zones: 5-9). Find sage seeds at Lowe's.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary dishes out a woody scent called cineole that keeps groundhogs at bay. It roots in sun with drained soil, watered sparingly, and gets snipped for kitchen use. Pots on the deck work well, though a windy day might toppled one, requiring a stake for support.
This evergreen shrub can reach 2-6 feet, boasting needle-like leaves that stay green year-round, a go-to for roasts and herbal teas. (USDA Zones: 7-10). Find easy-growing rosemary seeds at the Home Depot.
6. Oregano
Oregano’s carvacrol aroma pushes groundhogs away. It grows in sun with light soil, watered as needed, and trimmed to stay bushy. Pots near the patio offer seasoning and a barrier, though moving them can spill some dirt.
This perennial herb climbs 6-24 inches tall, with small, aromatic leaves that love warm weather, ideal for pizzas or drying for later. (USDA Zones: 4-9). Shop oregano seeds at the Home Depot.
7. Allium
Allium plants' sulfur punch from onions and garlic sends groundhogs retreating. Bulbs plant in sun with rich soil, watered during dry spells, and the flowers add a nice touch. Borders or pots look sharp, though peeling bulbs leaves hands stinking for days.
These bulbous perennials span 1-4 feet, with globe-shaped blooms in purple or white, warding off more than just groundhogs. (USDA Zones: 3-9). Find allium bulbs that grow into brilliant purple globes at the Home Depot.
8. Daffodils
All varieties of daffodils pack alkaloids that groundhogs pass up. Bulbs go in the ground in fall for spring blooms, thriving in sun or shade with drained soil and little water. Edges or pots turn out pretty, though planting them can strain the back.
These spring bulbs reach 6-18 inches tall, with trumpet-shaped yellow or white flowers, and they spread nicely over the years. (USDA Zones: 3-9). Find King Alfred daffodil bulbs at the Home Depot.
9. Yarrow
Yarrow’s bitter bite from achilleine keeps groundhogs at a distance. It grows in sun with average soil, watered occasionally, and gets split every few years. Wildflower beds or pots draw in bees.
This perennial hits 1-3 feet, with feathery leaves and flat clusters of tiny flowers in white, yellow, or pink, a hit with pollinators. (USDA Zones: 3-9). Find a beautiful peachy yarrow at Lowe's.
10. Catmint
The catmint plant’s nepetalactone scent throws off groundhogs. It takes root in sun with drained soil, watered when dry, and trimmed to keep its shape. Containers or borders look great, and cats can’t resist it. It might require a shoo or two for feline friends, but groundhogs will stay back.
This perennial grows 1-2 feet tall, with soft, gray-green foliage and lavender-blue flowers, pulling in cats and helpful insects alike. (USDA Zones: 3-8). Find a beautiful catmint plant at the Home Depot.
Extra Tricks to Keep Groundhogs Away
Besides planting plants that groundhogs hate, keeping the yard clean is crucial to repelling groundhogs. Raking up fallen fruit and trimming overgrown shrubs cuts down their food supply and hiding spots. It takes an hour or so per week and works.
A motion sprinkler sprays them, which is kind of entertaining, and burying chicken wire a foot deep around the garden stops them cold. Personally, I have a preference for this motion sprinkler from Amazon.
These 10 plants have made the yard a groundhog no-go zone, and it’s a relief to see it bounce back. Playing with pots, sharing with neighbors, and watching it grow again feels good. Try a few of these groundhog-resistant plants, mix them in, and tell those woodchucks to hit the road. Your garden deserves a break!
