Summer is a busy season for backyard chickens.
Chickens love spending time outside scratching, pecking, and exploring.
But hot weather can also make chickens uncomfortable.
One great way to help your flock stay cool and healthy is by growing the best summer plants around chicken coops.
If you choose the right ones, these plants can provide:
- Shade
- Natural treats
- Bug control
- Better air quality
- A prettier coop area
Some plants even help keep pests away while giving chickens a fun place to explore.
In this guide, you will learn about the best summer plants around chicken coops and how they can improve your flock’s outdoor space.
Why Plants Help Around Chicken Coops
Plants do much more than make your coop look nice. The best summer plants around chicken coops can help chickens stay happier and healthier during hot weather.
Benefits of plants include:
- Cooler shaded areas
- Less mud and dust
- Natural insect control
- Protection from wind
- Fresh snacks for chickens
Plants also attract beneficial bugs like butterflies and bees, making the yard more colorful.
10 Best Summer Plants Around Chicken Coops
Lavender Helps Repel Bugs
Lavender is one of the best summer plants around chicken coops because it smells wonderful and may help keep pests away.
Benefits of lavender:
- Pleasant scent
- Attracts pollinators
- May help repel flies and mosquitoes
- Adds beauty around the coop
Lavender grows best:
- In sunny areas
- In well-drained soil
Chickens usually leave lavender alone because of its strong smell.
Sunflowers Give Shade and Treats
Sunflowers are a favorite choice for many chicken keepers.
Why sunflowers are useful:
- Provide natural shade
- Produce tasty seeds
- Attract insects, chickens like to eat
- Grow tall quickly
Once the flowers dry, chickens enjoy pecking at the seeds.
Sunflowers are definitely among the best summer plants around chicken coops because they are both beautiful and useful.
Mint Can Help Keep the Coop Fresh
Mint is another excellent plant for summer.
Benefits of mint:
- Strong fresh smell
- May help repel pests
- Easy to grow
- Cooling scent in hot weather
Mint grows very quickly, so many people plant it in containers to stop it from spreading too much.
You can even place mint leaves inside nesting boxes for a fresher smell.
Marigolds Add Color and Bug Control
Marigolds are bright flowers that many gardeners love.
Why marigolds are helpful:
- Easy to grow
- Add cheerful color
- May help keep bugs away
- Safe around chickens
These flowers can make the coop area look beautiful while helping support a healthier outdoor environment.
Marigolds are often listed among the best summer plants for beginner gardeners around chicken coops.
Rosemary Handles Hot Weather Well
Rosemary is a strong herb that grows nicely in summer heat.
Benefits:
- Drought tolerant
- Pleasant smell
- May discourage insects
- Can handle dry conditions
Rosemary bushes can also provide small shaded spots for chickens to rest under.
Basil Is Safe and Useful
Basil is another herb that works well around chickens.
Benefits:
- Easy to grow
- Smells nice
- May help with bugs
- Safe for chickens to nibble
Fresh basil leaves can even become a healthy treat.
Basil is one of the best summer plants around chicken coops because it grows quickly during warm weather.
Nasturtiums Are Both Pretty and Edible
Nasturtiums are colorful flowers that chickens can safely eat.
Why people love them:
- Bright flowers
- Easy-growing plant
- Attract pollinators
- Edible leaves and flowers
Chickens often enjoy pecking at the leaves and blooms.
Comfrey Supports Healthy Soil
Comfrey is a useful plant for many homesteads.
Benefits include:
- Deep roots improve soil
- Large leaves provide shade
- Leaves can be composted
- Fast growing
Some chicken keepers feed small amounts of comfrey leaves to their flock as an occasional treat.
Grass Helps Keep the Ground Cool
It may seem simple, but it is one of the best summer plants around chicken coops.
Grass benefits:
- Keeps soil cooler
- Reduces mud
- Gives chickens a place to forage
- Helps prevent dusty conditions
Strong grass types:
- Ryegrass
- Fescue
- Bermuda grass
Too many chickens in one area may damage the grass quickly, so rotating free-range areas can help.
Berry Bushes Provide Shade and Snacks
Berry bushes can make great additions around a coop.
Good options:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
Benefits:
- Small shady areas
- Natural treats
- Attract helpful pollinators
Chickens enjoy fallen berries during the summer.
Plants That Help Create Shade
Shade is extremely important during hot weather.
Larger plants that provide shade:
- Sunflowers
- Berry bushes
- Small fruit trees
- Tall grasses
The best summer plants around chicken coops often provide both shade and entertainment for chickens.
Plants Chickens Should Avoid
Not all plants are safe for chickens.
Avoid planting:
These plants can be toxic if eaten.
Always research new plants before adding them near your flock.
How to Protect Plants From Chickens
Chickens love digging, scratching, and pecking.
Ways to protect plants:
- Use fencing around young plants
- Grow herbs in pots
- Use raised garden beds
- Rotate chicken access areas
This helps plants survive while chickens still enjoy the space.
Easy Starter Plant Combination
If you are new to gardening around chickens, try planting:
- Lavender
- Mint
- Marigolds
- Sunflowers
These are beginner-friendly and considered some of the best summer plants around chicken coops.
Benefits of a Green Coop Area
Adding plants can improve your whole backyard.
Benefits include:
- Happier chickens
- Less heat
- Fewer bugs
- Better-looking coop
- More natural environment
Plants help make chicken keeping more enjoyable for both people and birds.
Summer Plants Around Chicken Coops: Before You Go…
Growing the best summer plants around chicken coops is a simple and natural way to improve your flock’s outdoor space.
The right plants can provide shade, snacks, bug control, and beauty during the hottest months of the year.
With a little planning, you can create a safer, cooler, and more enjoyable summer space for your chickens.