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Squirrels do like lavender, and it can actually be a safe and useful plant to have around your yard.
While squirrels don’t eat lavender the way they devour tulip bulbs or sunflower seeds, they do enjoy certain parts of it and often investigate it out of curiosity.
Lavender isn’t poisonous to squirrels, so if you’ve been wondering “do squirrels like lavender,” the short answer is yes, though not in the way you might expect.
In this post, we’ll explore why squirrels like lavender, what parts of the plant attract them, and how to use this knowledge to your advantage in the garden.
Let’s dig in.
Why Squirrels Like Lavender
Squirrels like lavender for a few surprising reasons, and understanding them can change how you view this fragrant herb.
1. The Scent Is Irresistible to Their Noses
Squirrels have an incredible sense of smell, and lavender’s strong, sweet fragrance travels far in the air.
That powerful aroma draws squirrels in from across the yard because it signals something interesting is nearby.
They’ll come closer just to investigate where that scent is coming from.
2. The Seeds and Flowers Offer a Snack
While the leaves and stems aren’t a squirrel’s favorite meal, the seeds and flower buds are fair game.
When lavender goes to seed, squirrels will happily nibble on those tiny seeds for a quick bite.
They’ll also munch on the soft flower buds during certain times of the year, especially when other food is scarce.
3. It’s a Source of Moisture
Squirrels get a lot of their water from the foods they eat, and fresh plants like lavender provide moisture.
During hot, dry spells, squirrels will chew on stems and leaves just to get a little hydration.
So even if lavender isn’t their top choice for flavor, it still serves a purpose on a thirsty day.
4. They Enjoy the Buds in Spring
Early in the season, when tender new growth appears, squirrels like lavender buds quite a bit.
Those soft, fresh tips are easier to chew than the tougher, mature stems.
If you’ve noticed your lavender getting nibbled right after it starts growing, squirrels are likely the culprits.
Do Squirrels Eat Lavender or Just Investigate It?
Squirrels do eat lavender, but usually only small amounts, and often they’re just checking it out first.
1. Curiosity Often Comes First
Squirrels are naturally curious creatures, so a new plant in their territory gets a quick sniff and a tiny taste test.
Most of the time, that exploratory nibble is all it takes before they move on to something else.
2. Lavender Isn’t a Staple Food
Unlike acorns, nuts, and seeds, lavender doesn’t rank high on a squirrel’s menu.
They’ll eat it occasionally but won’t wipe out an entire plant the way they might with bulbs or vegetables.
That’s good news if you’re growing lavender and want to keep it mostly intact.
3. Damage Is Usually Minor
When squirrels do eat lavender, the damage tends to be small, like a few chewed tips or missing buds.
You’ll rarely see a squirrel strip a whole bush down to nothing.
So while they do like lavender, they don’t love it enough to destroy it.
Does Lavender Keep Squirrels Away?
Here’s where things get interesting: lavender is often recommended as a squirrel repellent, but the truth is more complicated.
1. The Scent Doesn’t Repel Squirrels
Many gardeners plant lavender hoping its strong smell will drive squirrels off, but squirrels aren’t bothered by it.
Since they actually like the fragrance and will come closer to check it out, lavender won’t scare them away.
2. It Won’t Protect Other Plants
If you’re hoping lavender will shield your tulips or tomatoes from squirrel raids, don’t count on it.
Squirrels will walk right past the lavender to get to whatever they really want.
Planting it as a barrier just doesn’t work the way people hope.
3. Better Deterrents Exist
If you truly need to keep squirrels out of a garden bed, physical barriers like netting or wire cloches work far better than any plant.
You can also try spicy sprays or motion-activated sprinklers for extra protection.
Lavender alone simply isn’t a reliable squirrel deterrent.
4. Grow It for Yourself, Not for Pest Control
The best reason to grow lavender is because you enjoy it, not because it’ll solve a squirrel problem.
Its flowers feed pollinators, its scent is lovely, and it’s a hardy plant once established.
Just don’t expect it to double as a squirrel shield.
Is Lavender Safe for Squirrels?
Yes, lavender is safe for squirrels and isn’t toxic to them.
1. It’s Non-Toxic
Lavender isn’t listed as poisonous to squirrels or other small mammals.
So if a squirrel likes lavender and eats some, it won’t cause harm.
2. Moderation Is Natural
Since squirrels don’t eat lavender in large amounts anyway, there’s little risk of overeating.
Their instincts keep them from overdoing it on plants that aren’t a main food source.
3. Watch Out for Treated Plants
The real concern isn’t the lavender itself but any pesticides or chemicals you might apply to it.
If you spray your plants, a squirrel that likes lavender could ingest something harmful.
Stick to organic care if wildlife visits your garden.
So, Do Squirrels Like Lavender?
Squirrels do like lavender, and it’s a safe plant to have around them.
They enjoy the scent, nibble on the seeds and buds, and sometimes chew on it for moisture.
But they don’t eat it in large amounts, and it won’t keep them away from your garden either.
Hope this post has helped you understand why squirrels like lavender and what that means for your yard.