Slug-Resistant Plants – The Best Choices for a Slug-Free Garden

Discover the best slug-resistant plants for your garden! With care tips, advice on location and soil, and information on whether slugs will avoid young plants.

Slugs can be a real challenge in the garden. Freshly planted young plants are often a feast for these hungry creatures. But there’s hope: some plants simply don’t appeal to slugs – even when they’re tender seedlings. Here you’ll find the best slug-resistant plants, along with tips on how to care for them, ideal locations and soil conditions.

1. Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

Lady’s Mantle is a real all-rounder in the garden bed. It’s hardy, easy to maintain and covers the ground so effectively that even weeds like ground elder have a hard time getting through. In June and July its delicate, misty flowers add a romantic touch to any garden.

Slug Resistance: Slugs avoid Lady’s Mantle, even when the plants are young.
Care: Very low-maintenance. Cut back after flowering in summer to encourage a second bloom or prevent self-seeding.
Location: Sunny to partially shaded.
Soil: Fresh to moderately dry, humus-rich, and well-drained.
Tip: Looks beautiful when paired with delphiniums or roses.

2. Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia)

Bergenias are enjoying a comeback as attractive ground covers. Historically, they were often relegated to shady corners where they struggled, but in sunny spots, they truly thrive and show off their full beauty.

Slug Resistance: Slugs are not interested in Bergenia, whether young or mature.
Care: Low-maintenance. Regularly remove wilted leaves.
Location: Sunny to lightly shaded.
Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich soil; tolerates dry periods.
Tip: Combine bergenias with masterwort or Morrow’s sedge, whose long, narrow leaves contrast beautifully with the foliage of the bergenias.

3. Cranesbill (Geranium varieties)

Cranesbill is a fast-growing, bee-friendly ground cover that produces beautiful blooms. Meanwhile, slugs tend to give it a wide berth.

Slug Resistance: The aromatic scent of the leaves deters slugs, even on young plants.
Care: Cutting back after the first flowering encourages reblooming.
Location: Sunny to partially shaded.
Soil: Loose, nutrient-rich, moderately moist.
Tip: Perfect companions include catmint or ornamental sage.

4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender is a must for any sunny garden bed. Its long flower spikes in shades of blue, violet or white attract bees and give off a delightful fragrance. An evergreen shrub, it also adds structure and colour in winter.

Slug Resistance: Slugs avoid lavender – its essential oils act as a natural deterrent.
Care: Prune after flowering to maintain shape and prevent woodiness.
Location: Full sun.
Soil: Sandy, well-drained, and rather poor soil.
Tip: Combines beautifully with coneflowers or sage.

5. Peony (Paeonia)

It’s a blessing that slugs don’t like peonies, so we can enjoy their magnificent flowers to the full. You may notice ants on the flower buds – they are harmless and actually help the peonies to open.

Slug Resistance: Peonies are safe from slug damage both as young plants and mature ones.
Care: Cut back foliage in autumn and apply fertilizer in early spring.
Location: Sunny.
Soil: Deep, nutrient-rich, and well-draining soil.
Tip: Stunning when combined with delphiniums or ornamental sage.

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

The hairy leaves of Lamb’s Ear repel slugs and protect the plant from intense sunlight. Perfect for dry, sunny spots!

Slug Resistance: The fuzzy leaves act as a natural slug repellent.
Care: Extremely low-maintenance. Cut off spent flower stalks.
Location: Full sun.
Soil: Dry, sandy, well-drained soil. Makes an attractive ground cover around roses.a charming ground cover around roses.

7. Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis)

Japanese anemones enchant us with their delicate flowers in late summer and early autumn. They are hardy but take a little time to establish.

Slug Resistance: Japanese anemones are mostly ignored by slugs, even as young plants.
Care: Stems may need staking. Add compost in spring and water during dry spells.
Location: Partially shaded to sunny, sheltered spots.
Soil: Fresh, humus-rich, and nutrient-rich.
Tip: Gorgeous in combination with ferns and asters.

8. Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa caucasica and varieties)

Perfect for natural gardens, pincushion flowers are a bee magnet and a delight to the eye. Their blue or white flowers sway gracefully in the breeze.

Slug Resistance: Slugs stay away from Scabiosa, which quickly grows into a sturdy plant.
Care: Deadhead regularly to extend the flowering season.
Location: Full sun.
Soil: Loose, moderately nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
Tip: Beautiful companions include lavender, ornamental sage, and coneflowers.