Deer Resistant

A plant can be considered deer resistant when it is not a preferred food source for deer or when it can be grazed by deer and quickly recover without lasting effects. Deer typically avoid plants that are poisonous or have a very strong smell, such as those in the mint and onion families. Certain physical traits can also make plants unpalatable to deer, such as spines, hairs, leathery leaves, and/or particularly dense wood. Deer eat primarily the shoots and leaves of broadleaf plants and tend to dislike conifers, sedges, and grasses.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a completely deer-proof plant. Although certain deer-resistant plants are not preferred by deer, during times of the year when food is scarce or in locations with very high deer populations, deer will eat plants that they might otherwise avoid. Deer will often nibble on plants they’ve never seen before to determine their palatability. This includes even plants that might be considered deer resistant.

While there are no hard and fast rules for whether a plant is deer resistant, there are certain attributes that may indicate that a plant is not a preferred food for deer. Poisonous plants are generally avoided by deer, as well as plants with very strong odors, such as Sage, Mint, and Lavender. Sharp spines or thorns are often an indication that a plant is deer resistant, the one notable exception being roses, which are a preferred food of deer. Plants with fuzzy or wooly leaves are also often avoided by deer. The Annie’s Annuals and Perennials website lets you easily search for plants from our selection that are considered deer resistant.

In general deer-resistant plants do not require any special care. Some nibbling is inevitable, even when a plant is deer resistant. The healthier a plant is, the better it is able to recover from this damage, so make sure you are maintaining your plants’ overall health. Deer-resistant plants will have a better chance of surviving damage if they have a chance to become adequately established in your garden. Consider protecting new plantings, even when a plant is considered deer resistant.

Most chemical deer repellents contain unpalatable compounds that are sprayed directly onto shoots and leaves. These products can be effective, but need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain. Some plants are sensitive to these kinds of products and can be burned by them. Always perform a test spray on an inconspicuous part of your plants before spraying the entire garden. A properly designed and installed fence is a safe and effective way to prevent deer from accessing your garden and eating your plants. Fences must be 7-8 feet high to adequately prevent a deer from jumping them. On sloped terrain, a fence up to 11 feet may be necessary. Although deer are excellent jumpers, they are more likely to climb under or squeeze through gaps in fencing, so fencing should be properly maintained to prevent gaps from forming. Keep in mind that if a deer does get past your fencing, you will need a gate or other way to get the deer out of your yard.

Annie’s Annuals and Perennials carries a large selection of ornamental plants that are considered deer resistant. See some of our favorite examples of deer resistant plants below:

Sages (CA Native Salvia) – Most Sages, with their aromatic leaves, are not favored by deer. Some of the best are California native varieties. Not only are they deer resistant, they are also drought tolerant and a magnet for native pollinators and wildlife.

Dahlias – Dahlias are tuberous herbaceous perennials with varieties that produce an amazing array of flower sizes, shapes, and colors. Dahlia leaves have an aromatic peppery scent when crushed that deer find unpalatable. Tender young shoots may still be nibbled, so it can be helpful to protect plants in the spring as they emerge from dormancy.

Foxgloves (Digitalis) – These cottage-garden favorites produce tall spikes of flowers in a variety of colors from purple to white that are loved by bees. Foxgloves are reliably deer resistant because they are poisonous, so keep this in mind when planting around pets and small children.

Lupines (Lupinus) – These members of the bean family produce sprays of many pea-like flowers. Many are drought tolerant and require only modest fertilizer, and there are many native varieties. They contain bitter compounds that make them unpalatable to deer.

Aloes – These succulent plants native to Africa have fleshy leaves, sharp spines, and a bitter taste that make them very deer resistant. They are low-water plants that produce spikes of orange to yellow flowers that are loved by hummingbirds.

Grouped plantings of multiple plants as opposed to single specimens can help make nibbling less noticeable. Deer can only eat what they can reach, so choosing larger trees and shrubs can help to deter deer. Mixing lower-growing plants with taller shrubs can also help to obscure feeding damage when it does occur.

Consider what types of plants you want to grow and which ones may require extra protection. Many of the things that make a plant palatable to humans are equally attractive to deer. Fruit trees and vegetables are favorites of deer, so you may want to consider adding special protection such as netting or additional fencing for fruit and vegetable beds.

Yes, mixing deer deer-resistant plants with other plants can help to reduce feeding. Groups of deer-resistant plants can act as a screen to keep deer away from other plants. Planting a diverse grouping of plants can also help to hide any damage that does occur.

Using deer-resistant plants is environmentally friendly because it reduces your dependence on chemical repellants. Many deer-resistant plants such as succulents and Mediterranean and California natives are also drought tolerant and require fewer overall inputs than other plants.

Yes, using deer-resistant plants will improve your garden’s overall health. Trees and shrubs that have not been defoliated by deer provide cooling shade and habitat for wildlife. Plants that are being heavily fed on by deer will often not develop the flowers and fruits that are valuable food sources for insects and birds.

Growing deer-resistant plants is not guaranteed to keep deer out of your garden. If deer are hungry enough, they will still eat plants that are considered deer resistant. If you are still having problems with deer even after planting deer-resistant plants, it may be worthwhile to use a mix of different strategies to deter deer. If certain plants are still being eaten, you can use a chemical repellant on those. Deer populations in certain areas prefer certain plants, so planting a different mix of deer-resistant plants may also be effective. Temporary fencing and netting is a cheaper alternative to permanent metal or wooden fencing and can help protect individual plants or keep deer out of specific areas.