Plant rue to naturally deter slugs from your garden
Fighting slugs can be frustrating. Fortunately, there is a natural and effective solution to discourage them from entering your garden. Just plant a plant they particularly dislike.
15 June 2024 14:01
Every gardener knows this problem: slugs destroying carefully tended plants. These mollusks will effectively eat everything they encounter, from young stems to fruits or lettuce leaves. Their diet mainly consists of shoots, plant stems, and small insects, making gardens an ideal environment for them, and they are reluctant to leave.
Plant rue in the garden
Plant this plant, and the slugs will avoid your plot in a wide arc. This way, you will not only protect your garden from pests but also enrich it with a beautiful and useful plant.
Ruta graveolens, or garden rue, is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region. Herbalists love its characteristic musky scent, which effectively repels many pests, including slugs. The intense aroma makes them avoid this place in a wide arc.
You can recognize it by its yellow-green flowers, which bloom from June until the end of July. Sometimes, you can see a blue coating on their tops.
Growing garden rue is simple and does not require any specialized gardening knowledge. It grows best in full sun but also tolerates light shade.
Rue is an undemanding plant that doesn't need frequent watering or fertilizing. However, remember to protect it in winter by covering it with straw or dry peat to prevent it from freezing.
Plants that slugs dislike
Another plant that effectively repels slugs is Aquilegia vulgaris. This plant contains substances that pests do not like.
However, remember that Aquilegias are poisonous. Their consumption can cause diarrhea, fainting, or intoxication, so use caution when planting and cultivating them.
Aquilegia vulgaris, like garden rue, is not a demanding plant. It's best to plant it in semi-shaded or sunny locations. It also does not need regular watering (it is sufficient during extended dry periods). It is frost-resistant and does not require additional winter covering.