Many gardeners get frustrated by the presence of slugs/ snails in their gardens because of the damage they cause.  It is difficult and time-consuming trying to get rid of them. While you can get rid of them by putting up repellents and slug pellets, you could try another approach. By growing plants that slugs don't like, you will have saved a lot of time and easily keep these annoying pests off your garden.

Slugs are mostly attracted to plants with thin and soft leaves. In this case, it's safe to grow plants that have rough-looking leaves. Hosta plants, for example, are commonly known to attract these slimy pests. Slugs will avoid plants with rigid or hairy leaves. They will also not prefer feasting on plants that have a waxy coating. Something else that puts off these pests is any strong fragrances coming from plants. Slugs will also not approach any bitter-tasting plants.

You will know slugs infest your garden by a trail of shiny slime and big holes in leaves they eat. They will invade damp gardens where there are cool climates. Slugs, together with snails, will feed on seedlings and young growing leaves of perennial and annual plants. Woody plants and ornamental grasses are also a target for these slimy pests.

If you intend to grow slug-resistant plants, then you have landed at the right place. It can be expensive and disappointing to keep growing plants then find them ravaged by some pests. So why not put a stop to this. Growing these plants will result in a healthy-looking yard with no compromises on its beauty. Here is an outline of different plants that will keep slugs or snails at bay.

1# Cranesbill geraniums

This hardy geranium is popularly known as cranesbill geraniums or simply cranesbills. It produces attractive pink or light purple flowers pollinators love. Its deeply lobed leaves have unappealing-looking textures that are not liked by slugs. Cranesbill geraniums will spread evenly and provide good ground cover for your garden. They are mass planted as border plants or in pollinator gardens.

 2# Jacob's Ladder

This slug-resistant plant is known for its small ladder-like leaflets that grow on its long leaves. The slugs probably avoid it because they tend not to hold themselves on the small ladder-like leaves. This plant appreciates spots with partial shade and does not tolerate hot, humid climates. Find it flourishing in wet woods and river banks with its blue, purple, or lavender flowers. This plant will go dormant during drought conditions. Propagate by dividing root clumps in early spring or late summer. It can also be propagated by seed.

3# Wormwood

Wormwood (Artemisia spp.) is an outdoor plant that slugs avoid eating. Silver Mound wormwood (Artemisia schmidtiana Silver Mound) is another example. This species is known for its aromatic foliage and interesting texture. It produces silvery gray leaves that are an excellent choice for making wreaths. 

Generally, its strong fragrance and smell discourage most animals and some insects, including the slug. Some wormwood species are toxic for humans, pets, and livestock. These are plants that will not tolerate wet soil, wet conditions, or high humidity. However, they are best suited for walkways, patios, and sidewalks. They are prone to rot in wet climates.

4# Columbine

Also known as Aquilegia canadensis, columbine plants have yellow and red blooms that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumblebees. While the slugs will not care to feast on them, leaf miners will generally be a problem to columbines. It has a lovely shape that makes a great choice for ground cover when the flowers shed off. Columbines have a great height and clover-like leaves that stand out in any landscape. 

5# Ferns

Slugs will resist these common types of ferns; Interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), Cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum Cinnamomeum), Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum), and the Maidenhair fern (Adiantum spp.) 

Generally, slugs will not prefer eating ferns. Ferns come in different shapes and sizes. Some are so small that they will grow in wall cracks. All in all, they are low-maintenance plants that are easy to grow and tolerate various soil conditions.

6# Lenten Rose

Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis) plants are not loved by slugs for their poisonous leaves and roots and the fact that they have a waxy coating. For some reason, slugs do not love them because they are tough plants. While they are easy to grow, they provide moist soil and a shady spot. They are best suited for border fronts, patios, and protected shady spots.

7# Lavender 

Lavender is an excellent slug-proof plant that produces aromatic bluish-green leaves and purple flowers. It is for this scent that slugs will avoid preying on the plant. Slugs will also not feast on this plant for its oily, unpalatable leaves. Lavender is dried and crushed to produce lavender oil. Grow lavenders in containers or as garden border plants.

8# Spurge

Euphorbias are easy to grow yet tough plants. When spurges are cut, they emit a poisonous milky sap. A poisonous milky sap is probably the reason why slugs will not feast on them. All spurge species produce a poisonous milky plant sap, including the Cushion spurge (E. polychroma), Cypress spurge (E. cyparissias), and Mediterranean spurge (E. characias). This sap can irritate covered or open skin. To some extent, it can cause nausea when touched. Wear gloves whenever you are handling this plant.

9# Penstemon

Slugs resist penstemon plants. This plant produces foxglove-like purple flowers that are quite attractive to bumblebees. Slugs will not approach this plant for its hairy and poisonous leaves. Grow in well-draining soil with partial shade. Penstemon plants are best grown in borders, rock or cottage gardens, and pollinator gardens.

10# Yucca

Slugs do not like the taste of yucca plants, especially Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa). Apart from the taste of their fibrous leaves, slugs will avoid this plant for its texture. A mature yucca produces aromatic flowers that white yucca moths pollinate. The roots are poisonous and have a bitter taste. Extract from this perennial shrub is mostly used as a slug repellent. The fiber from the leaves is used for making baskets, ropes, or mats. Yucca tolerates all soil types, including poor soil. It is best suited for prairies, light woodlands, and forest edges.

11# Ajuga

Ajuga reptans is a plant that is popularly known for its dark green, evergreen foliage, and dark blue flower spikes. The leaves are poisonous, and this keeps the slugs away. Ajuga is mass planted to provide ground cover for slopes, banks, and woodland gardens. It can also be grown in containers. They grow too crowded so avoid planting on the lawns as they could pose removal problems.

12# Catmint

This hard-to-kill herb produces a strong scent that attracts cats but repels Mr slug. Slugs do not love most herbs for their strong smells. Catmints (Nepeta spp.) make a great choice for ground cover due to their clumping habit. They will spread out well in meadows, cottage gardens, and other natural areas. Grow them in containers for walkways or rock gardens. They are drought-resistant plants that grow in dry soil conditions.

13# Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea is a plant that produces tall spikes with many flowers on a densely packed one-side raceme. It has poisonous leaves that contain the toxin digoxin. These toxins are harmful to slugs, so they will not feast on the leaves.

Foxglove plants appear attractive in front of walls and when mass planted in flower beds.

14# Lamb's Ears

Lamb's Ears (Stachys byzantina) produces hairy leaves that repel slugs. Its thick, soft, velvety, silver-gray leaves make a great ground cover. Most gardeners will not pass the lamb's ears without noticing its soft velvety leaves. It is for this fact that they make a great choice for sensory or children's gardens. Grow it in containers along walkways or border fronts.

 15# Astrantia

Astrantia, the great masterwort, resembles a wild carrot with long, spindle-shaped, thick, purple-colored roots. It produces white flowers that are loved by bees and other pollinators. Astrantia leaves have a strong smell and a warm aromatic sweet taste used for culinary and medicinal purposes but are not pleasant for slugs. Astrantia has a similar shape to this toxic plant, Conium maculatum. While it grows in cool climates with partial shade, growing it in running water is ideal.

16#Japanese Anemone

This plant produces daisy-like flowers and rough leaves that slugs avoid. Japanese anemones are highly poisonous plants; all parts are poisonous. Toxicity coupled with rough leaves makes this plant unapproachable by slugs. They grow in soil with good drainage and partial shade. 

Grow them in flower gardens or containers for your small garden.

17# Heuchera

Heuchera plants will add bold, colorful foliage to your garden. Grown for their foliage color, these plants also have attractive flowers loved by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These slug-proof plants can be used to edge perennial borders or mass plantings. Lighter-colored species of heuchera plants stand out in lightly shaded gardens.

18# Crocosmia

Crocosmia' Lucifer' is a hardy South African species that grows from corms. It produces bright red flowers in summer that tend to attract hummingbirds. Florists use these plants in flower arrangements. They can also be used as cut flowers for your home. Crocosmia produces waxy-like pollen and nectar that is not liked by slugs. Mass plant these plants along the borders to create a bright, colorful garden.