Do Gophers Like Lavender

Gophers do not like lavender, and planting it is one of the most effective natural ways to keep them out of your garden.

These burrowing rodents have a highly sensitive sense of smell, and the strong, aromatic compounds in lavender are simply too overwhelming for them.

Unlike many other plants that gophers might nibble on, lavender acts as a powerful repellent rather than a food source.

In this post, we’ll explore exactly why gophers and lavender don’t mix, how to use this fragrant herb as a barrier, and other plants that work similarly.

Let’s dig into the world of gopher-resistant gardening.
 

Why Gophers Dislike Lavender So Much

The main reason gophers dislike lavender comes down to its essential oils, which create a scent profile that repels these pests naturally.
 

1. The Potent Power of Essential Oils

Lavender contains high concentrations of compounds like linalool and camphor, which give it that signature, calming fragrance we humans love.
 
But for gophers, that same fragrance is intensely pungent and irritating to their nasal passages.
 
Because gophers spend most of their lives underground in dark tunnels, they rely heavily on their sense of smell to locate food and detect danger.
 
When they encounter lavender roots or the scent that seeps into the soil, it confuses their senses and signals that the area isn’t safe for foraging.
 
So, the simple answer to do gophers like lavender is a resounding no, because their biology is wired to avoid such overpowering aromas.
 

2. Lavender’s Texture and Taste Are Unappealing

Beyond the smell, the physical characteristics of lavender also deter gophers from taking a bite.
 
Lavender leaves are covered in fine, silvery hairs that give them a slightly fuzzy texture, which isn’t pleasant for a rodent’s mouth.
 
More importantly, the taste is bitter and soapy due to those same concentrated oils, making it a completely unappetizing meal.
 
While gophers will eat almost any plant when hungry enough, they will actively avoid lavender whenever other options are present.
 
So, if you’re wondering if gophers like lavender as a food source, the answer is definitively no, they find it distasteful.
 

3. Lavender Acts as a Natural Scent Barrier

Gophers use their keen sense of smell to navigate their underground tunnels, so strong scents disrupt their travel patterns.
 
When you plant a border of lavender around your prized vegetables or flower beds, you create a fragrant wall that gophers are reluctant to cross.
 
The scent particles from lavender can linger in the soil for a long time, especially when the plant is healthy and actively growing.
 
This is why gardeners often say that gophers don’t like lavender because it essentially blinds their navigation system.
 
Instead of digging through an area reeking of lavender, gophers will typically reroute their tunnels to find easier paths.
 
This makes lavender a fantastic, non-lethal tool for managing gopher activity without harsh chemicals or traps.
 

How To Use Lavender To Repel Gophers Effectively

Now that you know gophers dislike lavender, you need to understand how to position it for maximum impact in your yard.
 

1. Create a Protective Border Around Your Garden

The most effective way to answer the question of do gophers like lavender is by seeing how they avoid it when it forms a perimeter.
 
Plant a continuous row of lavender around the edge of your garden beds, spacing each plant about 12 to 18 inches apart.
 
This creates a solid, fragrant barrier that gophers will be hesitant to burrow under, as the roots will release that offensive scent into the soil.
 
For the best results, choose English lavender varieties like ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead,’ which have some of the highest oil concentrations.
 
Remember that lavender needs full sun and well-drained soil to thrive, so make sure your border location meets those requirements.
 

2. Interplant Lavender Among Vulnerable Crops

You don’t have to reserve lavender just for borders; you can also scatter it throughout your existing garden.
 
Place lavender plants strategically between rows of carrots, potatoes, or other root vegetables that gophers love to feast on.
 
This interplanting approach confuses gophers because they encounter the scent of lavender right where they expect to find food.
 
Since gophers don’t like lavender, they will often skip over an entire area if the smell is too pervasive.
 
This method works great in raised beds or large, open garden plots where mixing plants is easy.
 

3. Use Lavender Cuttings and Prunings

If you already have mature lavender plants, you can use their trimmings to boost your gopher defense.
 
After pruning your lavender in the spring or fall, collect the cuttings and stuff them into active gopher tunnels you find in your yard.
 
The crushed leaves and stems release an intense burst of essential oils that will make gophers pack up and move their tunnels elsewhere.
 
You can also steep lavender leaves in water for a few days to create a repellent spray.
 
Simply pour this lavender tea into the entrance holes of gopher mounds to saturate the soil with a scent they detest.
 
This is a great way to use the fact that gophers don’t like lavender to your advantage without buying extra plants.
 

Other Plants That Can Complement Your Lavender Barrier

While lavender is a superstar at repelling gophers, combining it with other strong-scented plants can offer even better protection.
 

1. Marigolds and Their Distinctive Aroma

Marigolds are another excellent choice because they contain a compound called thiophene, which is toxic to nematodes and repels various pests.
 
Their spicy, pungent scent is similar to lavender in its intensity, and gophers will avoid it just as readily.
 
Plant marigolds alongside your lavender to create a colorful, multi-layered defense system.
 

2. The Strong Scent of Rosemary

Rosemary is a close cousin to lavender, sharing similar growing conditions and a robust, woody fragrance.
 
Since gophers don’t like lavender, it’s a safe bet they also hate rosemary, which has an even stronger pine-like smell.
 
These drought-tolerant herbs make excellent companion plants that thrive in the same sunny, dry conditions.
 

3. The Pungent Punch of Garlic and Onions

If you have space, planting members of the allium family, like garlic, onions, and chives, can also deter gophers.
 
These plants release sulfur compounds when their roots are disturbed, which is highly irritating to gophers.
 
Place them in clusters around your garden perimeter to reinforce the message that your yard isn’t gopher-friendly.
 
Pro Tip: Always give your lavender plants plenty of space, as they can become woody and less productive if crowded.
 

So, Do Gophers Like Lavender?

Gophers do not like lavender in any way, shape, or form, and you can use this knowledge to protect your garden naturally.
 
The strong essential oils, bitter taste, and unpleasant texture make lavender a plant that gophers will go out of their way to avoid.
 
So, if you’ve been battling gopher damage, incorporating lavender into your landscape is a smart, eco-friendly solution.
 
By planting dense borders or scattering lavender among your crops, you effectively tell gophers that your garden is closed for business.
 
And since gophers don’t like lavender, you can enjoy a beautiful, fragrant garden without worrying about unsightly mounds and destroyed roots.
 
Add a few lavender plants this season, and you’ll likely notice a significant drop in gopher traffic almost immediately.
 
Happy gardening, and may your lavender stay lush while your gophers stay far away!