Lizards in the Garden: Protect and Attract Them

A sunlit stone, a brief rustle in the leaves – perhaps you have already spotted a lizard in your garden. These nimble reptiles are more than just decorative visitors. They are efficient pest controllers and a sign of a healthy ecosystem. We show you how to attract and protect lizards and provide them with a permanent habitat.

Why are lizards valuable garden residents?

Lizards eat insects. They hunt beetles, caterpillars, flies, spiders and slugs. A stable lizard population reduces pests naturally. They can often make the use of chemical insecticides unnecessary.

Their presence signals healthy biodiversity. Where lizards live, other animals such as insects, birds and hedgehogs also find a habitat. They are an important link in the food chain.

What does the perfect lizard habitat look like?

Lizards are cold-blooded animals. They need sunny spots to warm up. Place flat, dark stones in sunny, sheltered locations. South-facing dry-stone walls or rock piles store heat.

Structure is everything. The animals need hiding places from predators such as cats and birds. Ideal options include:

• Deadwood piles: Old logs, branches and root stumps.
• Rock piles: Different-sized stones loosely stacked.
• Dense ground cover: Ivy, lesser periwinkle or sedums.
• Native hedges: Blackthorn, hawthorn or hazel provide shelter.

Water and food: Basic provisions

Lizards do drink, but they need shallow water sources. A shallow dish with a rough base or a garden pond with a gently sloping edge is ideal. Avoid steep sides.

Food will appear naturally if you attract insects. Plant native flowering perennials. Avoid pesticides. An

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“A garden for lizards is never clinically clean. Deadwood, leaves and stones are not rubbish but essential structural elements. A love of tidiness is the enemy of biodiversity.”

What dangers do lizards face in the garden?

The greatest threats are domestic cats and the use of poisons. Chemical fertilisers, insecticides and slug pellets either poison lizards directly or deprive them of their food source.

Excessive garden maintenance is harmful. A closely mown lawn provides neither shelter nor food. Robotic lawn mowers can seriously injure young or sluggish lizards.

Practical ways to protect lizards

Make your garden wildlife-friendly. Leave unmown strips along the edges when mowing. Before carrying out major gardening work, such as trimming hedges, check whether any animals are using the area.

Create safe zones. A natural area separated from the rest of the garden and planted with thorny shrubs provides protection from cats. The

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How can you actively attract lizards?

Lizards will move in by themselves if the habitat is suitable. You can speed this up by creating corridors. Leave gaps in fences or plant hedges that connect to natural neighbouring gardens.

Provide nesting opportunities. Females lay their eggs in loose, sandy soil. A sunny, bare patch of sand or a mound of sand can serve as a “lizard nursery”.

„Patience is key. It can take two to three years before the first lizards discover and accept a newly created habitat. Do not get discouraged if it doesn't happen immediately.“

Choose the right plants

Choose native species. They attract the right insects and provide hiding places through their structure. Suitable options include:

• For sunny, dry locations: Thyme, sedum, viper's bugloss and yarrow.
• For partially shaded areas: Sweet woodruff, ferns and hazel.
• For privacy and shelter: Native hedge plants from the plants and accessories category.

Lizards in winter: What should you do?

Lizards hibernate. They retreat into frost-proof hiding places such as deep cavities in rock piles, compost heaps or beneath tree roots. Do not disturb these areas from October to March.

Leave piles of leaves and old plant material in place as an insulating cover. Horticultural fleece can protect sensitive areas from severe frost without preventing air circulation.

Conclusion: A garden full of life

Creating a lizard-friendly garden does not mean giving up on aesthetics. It means working with nature rather than against it. These nimble reptiles reward you with a vibrant, healthy garden where the ecological balance is maintained.

Start with one small measure. A rock pile, an unmown corner or giving up poisons. Every step counts. Before long, you may be watching your own helpful garden residents basking in the sun.

Frequently asked questions

Which lizard species live in German gardens?

In Germany, sand lizards and common lizards are the most widespread species. Sand lizards prefer sunny, dry locations such as stone walls and embankments. Common lizards are more likely to be found in damper, structurally diverse gardens with shrubs and deadwood. Both species are strictly protected.

What do lizards eat in the garden?

Lizards mainly feed on insects such as beetles, flies, caterpillars and spiders. They also eat slugs and worms. This makes them excellent natural pest controllers. A large lizard population can make the use of insecticides unnecessary.

How can I protect lizards from my cat?

Create dense, cat-proof hiding places such as thorny hedges or dense shrubs. A tall, smooth fence around the lizard-friendly area can help. Provide the lizards with several escape routes and hiding places close to the ground. Keep your cat indoors during the lizards' main activity period around midday whenever possible.

Do lizards need water in the garden?

Yes, lizards need water, but they rarely drink from deep containers. Provide shallow water bowls with a rough surface to prevent them from drowning. Natural, shallow muddy patches or a small, shallow pond with a gently sloping bank are ideal. The water evaporates and locally increases humidity.

Am I allowed to relocate a lizard I find in the garden?

No. All native lizard species are strictly protected. Catching or relocating them is prohibited by law. Instead, improve the conditions in your garden so the animals can move in naturally. Create corridors to neighbouring gardens so that populations can move between them.