In recent years, there have been more reports of people encountering venomous snakes, sometimes with tragic results. Many communities share advice about “snake-attracting” plants that should be removed to protect families. While some of these beliefs come from folk experience rather than lab studies, they often point to a valid principle: dense, moist, shaded vegetation attracts the animals snakes feed on — which in turn attracts the snakes themselves.

According to wildlife specialists, snakes are not drawn to a plant’s scent the way bees are to flowers; instead, they seek cover, humidity, and prey such as frogs, lizards, and rodents (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission).

Still, several commonly mentioned plants can create the kind of damp, sheltered habitat snakes prefer. If these grow close to your house, you may wish to trim or relocate them.

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1. Hedyotis diffusa (White Snake-Tongue Grass, “Bạch hoa xà thiệt thảo”)

This small creeping herb grows in moist, shaded soils throughout Southeast Asia. Traditional medicine values it for its anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties, but folk belief also links it to snake activity.

In truth, the plant itself doesn’t lure snakes chemically — snakes may simply frequent the same moist, shaded edges (ditches, stream banks, garden corners) where this herb thrives. To reduce encounters, keep these areas mowed and free of debris so they stay dry and bright.

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2. Plumbago zeylanica (White Leadwort, “Bạch hoa xà” or “đuôi công hoa trắng”)

Another medicinal plant that favors damp, semi-shaded spots. It contains plumbagin, a compound studied for possible antimicrobial and anticancer effects, but its strong odor and dense leaf cover are what folklore associates with snake presence.

Wildlife experts clarify that snakes don’t “smell flowers” the way mammals do — instead they use their tongues to pick up airborne chemical cues from prey or shelter. A lush patch of leadwort provides both moisture and hiding space for frogs and rodents, indirectly bringing snakes closer.

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3. Garcinia cowa or wild “purple sandan” fruit (sa nhân tím)

When its sweet fruits ripen, this shrub draws small mammals such as squirrels, porcupines, and field rats — favorite meals for many snakes. As a result, during fruiting season snakes may hunt nearby.

If you live near forest edges or water channels where these trees grow naturally, avoid walking barefoot or clearing brush at dusk, and wear boots and gloves when picking fruit. (CDC global snakebite-prevention guidance).

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4. Fragrant flowering vines and herbs (jasmine, telosma, sweet basil, morning glory)

Cultural tradition sometimes blames their scent for “calling snakes.” Scientifically, there’s no evidence that floral fragrance attracts snakes. However, thick ground cover, fertilizer-rich soils, and heavy watering all create cool, humid pockets that appeal to toads and insects — which do attract snakes. Keeping the soil dry between waterings and pruning vines off the ground reduces risk.

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Safer gardening practices that actually deter snakes

Experts from the University of Florida IFAS Extension and Utah State University Extension recommend the following habitat-management steps:

1. Keep grass short (below 10 cm / 4 inches) to eliminate hiding cover.

2. Remove clutter such as boards, bricks, and firewood stacked directly on soil — raise firewood at least 12 in (30 cm).

3. Control rodents and insects, which are the real attractants.

4. Seal foundation gaps larger than ¼ inch (6 mm) and install door sweeps.

5. Trim low branches and thick shrubs around the home perimeter to create a clear 0.5–1 m (1.5–3 ft) buffer zone.

6. Avoid over-watering and fix leaks; snakes prefer humid environments.

These measures reduce the shelter and prey that bring snakes into residential areas far more effectively than removing any specific “snake-loving” plant.

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In summary

Folk wisdom names plants like bạch hoa xà thiệt thảo, bạch hoa xà, sa nhân tím, or jasmine as “snake-attracting.” In reality, snakes respond to habitat, not perfume. The key is to maintain dry, tidy, well-lit surroundings rather than panic about individual species. With clean yards, sealed structures, and care when working outdoors, your family can enjoy greenery safely.