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75+ Deer-Resistant Plants: Flowers, Shrubs, and Plants Deer Won’t Eat

Image Credit:
Pixabay
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Are deer eating your garden plants? Choosing deer-resistant plants is one of the best ways to protect your flowers, shrubs, and landscaping. While no plant is completely deer-proof, many plants—such as salvia, lavender, poppies, snapdragons, and sweet alyssum—are far less appealing to hungry deer.

In this guide, we share the best deer-resistant plants, flowers deer avoid, and tips to keep deer out of your garden all season long.

Are Any Plants Truly Deer-Proof?

Let’s be honest: no plant is 100% deer-proof. When food is scarce—especially from October through February—deer will eat almost anything.

However, deer prefer tender, fertilized, and easy-to-digest plants like:

Think of it this way: if deer have access to their favorite foods, they usually leave tougher, bitter, or fragrant plants alone.

The goal is simple: plant what deer dislike so they walk past your garden.

Young roe deer munching on pink mallow flowers in a residential garden
Deer love munching on mallow plants!

According to researchers from the University of Rhode Island, who have studied white-tailed deer damage to nurseries, deer seem to prefer plants that have been fertilized to those that haven’t.

Why Deer Avoid Certain Plants

Deer tend to avoid plants with these characteristics:

  • Strong scents (lavender, sage, rosemary)
  • Toxic leaves (daffodils, foxglove)
  • Fuzzy or prickly textures (lamb’s ear)
  • Bitter taste (herbs and aromatic plants)
  • Tough or leathery foliage

These natural defenses help protect your garden without chemicals or fencing.

Most Deer-Resistant Plants (Quick List)

Some of the most reliable deer-resistant plants include:

These are excellent choices for beginner gardeners dealing with deer problems.

lavender flowers, deer-resistant plant
Deer tend to steer clear of lavender flowers.

Deer-Resistant Plants for Shade

If your garden has limited sunlight, these plants perform well in shade and resist deer browsing:

These plants add color and texture to shaded areas while discouraging deer.

coreopsis and echinacea, deer resistant plants
Coreopsis and Echinacea purpurea

Deer-Resistant Plants for Sun

For sunny gardens, consider these reliable options:

Many of these also attract butterflies and pollinators.

Deer-Resistant Herbs

Herbs are some of the best natural deer deterrents due to their strong scent.

Planting herbs along garden edges can help protect other plants.

Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Trees

For landscaping and structure, try:

These shrubs provide long-term protection and visual appeal.

75+ Deer-Resistant Plants

Below is a complete list of deer-resistant plants, including flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees. Use this chart to quickly find plants that work best for your garden. Again, keep in mind that the first rule in deer-proofing is that there are no completely deer-proof plants.

Common NameBotanical NamePlant TypeSun/Shade
AchilleaAchillea filipendulinaPerennialSun
AgeratumAgeratum houstonianumAnnualSun
AlliumAllium sp.PerennialSun
Allegheny ServiceberryAmelanchier laevisShrub/TreeSun/Shade
AnisePimpinella anisumAnnual/HerbSun
Autumn CrocusColchicum sp.PerennialSun/Shade
Baby’s BreathGypsophila sp.PerennialSun
BasilOcimum basilicumAnnual/HerbSun
BayberryMyrica pensylvanicaShrubSun
Bearded IrisIris sp.PerennialSun/Shade
Bee BalmMonarda didymaPerennialSun
Black-Eyed SusanRudbeckia sp.PerennialSun
Blue FescueFestuca glaucaPerennialSun
Blue Mist ShrubCaryopteris clandonensisShrubSun
BluebellEndymion sp.PerennialShade
Bleeding HeartLamprocapnos spectabilisPerennialShade
BorageBorage officinalisAnnualSun
BoxwoodBuxus sempervirensShrubSun/Shade
BroomCytisus sp.ShrubSun
Butterfly BushBuddleia sp.ShrubSun
CalendulaCalendula sp.AnnualSun
CatmintNepeta sp.PerennialSun
CleomeCleome sp.AnnualSun
Common FoxgloveDigitalis purpureaPerennialShade
Common LilacSyringa vulgarisShrubSun
CoreopsisCoreopsis verticillataPerennialSun
CorydalisCorydalis sp.PerennialShade
Crown ImperialFritillaria imperialisPerennialSun
DaffodilNarcissus sp.PerennialSun/Shade
DaphneDaphne sp.ShrubSun/Shade
EchinaceaEchinacea purpureaPerennialSun
EndymionEndymion sp.PerennialShade
FernOsmundaPerennialShade
Forget-Me-NotMyosotis sp.Annual/PerennialShade
FoxgloveDigitalis purpureaPerennialShade
GarlicAllium sp.PerennialSun
Garden SageSalvia officinalisPerennial/HerbSun
GlobemallowEchinops ritroPerennialSun
HeliotropeHeliorope arborescensPerennialSun
HorehoundMarrubium vulgarePerennial/HerbSun
HyssopHyssopus officinalisPerennial/HerbSun
Jack-in-the-PulpitArisaema triphylumPerennialShade
JuniperJuniperusShrub/TreeSun
LantanaLantana sp.Perennial/ShrubSun
LavenderLavandula sp.Perennial/HerbSun
Lemon BalmMelissa officinalisPerennial/HerbSun/Shade
Leucanthemum DaisyLeucanthemum x superbum ‘Becky’PerennialSun
Lily of the ValleyConvallaris majalisPerennialShade
Russian SagePerovskia atriplicifoliaPerennialSun
SalviaSalvia x sylvestrisPerennialSun
SnapdragonAntirrhinum majusAnnual/PerennialSun
Snow-on-the-MountainEuphorbia marginataAnnualSun
SnowdropsGalanthus nivalisPerennialShade
Spider FlowerCleome sp.AnnualSun
StaticeLimonium latifoliumPerennialSun
Sweet AlyssumLobularia maritimaAnnualSun
ThymeThymus sp.Perennial/HerbSun
TulipTulipa sp.PerennialSun
Winter AconiteEranthus hyemalisPerennialShade
Winterberry HollyIlex verticillataShrubSun/Shade
Wood FernDryopteris marginalisPerennialShade
Wood SageSalvia x sylvestrisPerennialSun
YuccaYuccaPerennialSun
ZinniaZinniaAnnualSun

Credit: Outwitting Deer by Bill Adler Jr.

Note: Even “resistant” varieties can be vulnerable in the first few weeks after planting when their leaf tissue is especially nitrogen-rich. If you have major deer problems, we recommend spraying new plants with a deer repellent for 3 to 4 weeks after planting to prevent them from being nibbled on and damaged. Even if they are feasted on, as long as the root systems of the plants are not damaged, the plants should survive.

How to Design a Deer-Resistant Garden

  • Plant herbs around borders
  • Avoid hostas
  • Use shrubs as barriers
  • Group resistant plants
  • Protect new plants

Final Gardening Tip: Choosing deer-resistant plants is one of the easiest ways to protect your garden naturally. By planting fragrant herbs, tough perennials, and unpalatable flowers, you can enjoy beautiful blooms without worrying about deer damage.

Want more ways to keep deer out of your garden? Click to read more tips on how to deter deer in the garden!

What are your favorite deer-resistant plants?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What plants are most deer-resistant?

    Lavender, salvia, daffodils, boxwood, and Russian sage are among the most deer-resistant plants.

  • What flowers do deer hate the most?

    Deer tend to avoid strongly scented or toxic flowers like foxglove, poppies, lavender, and daffodils.

  • Are there any deer-proof plants?

    No plant is completely deer-proof, but many are highly resistant.

  • Do deer eat hostas?

    Yes, hostas are one of deer’s favorite plants.

  • What smells keep deer away?

    Strong scents like lavender, sage, rosemary, and mint often deter deer.

  • Will deer eat plants in winter?

    Yes, deer browse more heavily from October to February, when food is scarce.

Garden Pests

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening, so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Carl</span> Tue, 03/16/2021 - 08:40
Nana would always "Feed " the Deer AWAY from her gardens until spring. MARIGOLDS DEER DO NOT LIKE! HANDS DOWN! Now as to Deer Resistance, she would save" The pie pans(Aluminum )" ones the ones from say from store bought Apple, Pumpkin, or just plain go and buy some, and string a few around her Gardens, Yes gaudy looking BUT when they are rattling in the breeze or swinging the noise and flashing deter the deer, as well as " Liquid Fence"! The Latter stinks at first then not so much. Up Side DEER HATE the concoction, down side, it will have to dry completely and needs to be applied after EVERY RAIN! I Highly Recommend the CONCENTRATE and a small garden Pump Sprayer, seems the Ready Mix is a bit weak. I go around my Property , and spray the Gardens as well . I have watched the deer come to the line STAMP there feet nose the ground and walk away. Also my rednose Pitty keeps them away. She tells them" MY PROPERTY" My Other "Children" have made 'friends' with them LOL some watch dogs. Good Planting All. "Plant Long and Prosper,' May The Force Be with You"
<span>Sierra</span> Tue, 03/16/2021 - 06:45
My grandmother raised us with the notion that every creature has a right to food. Some days it was her turn to feed the wildlife found near her farm. We have a herd of eight deer that wander the neighborhood. They have done a wonderful job of cleaning up grass clippings, managing the berry patch, and keeping some other weeds under control. During the winter they cleaned up the bird seed that fell out of the feeders. There is this plant with little purple-pink flowers that the deer seem to avoid even walking in. Some one said it is in the mint family and grows very well in shade. The food garden came with an electric fence. I'll see how things go with the deer this summer. I want to take the fence down.
<span>Sam Lareau</span> Sat, 11/14/2020 - 08:35
No such thing here on the east coast of Florida. I gave up gardening entirely. Why waste my money to feed the deer. I might as well go buy sacks of kernel corn for them.
<span>Mike</span> Wed, 11/04/2020 - 22:06
They will certainly eat zinnias.
<span>Suzanne Norris</span> Sat, 06/06/2020 - 16:22
The deer eat everything except my Primrose. They have NEVER bothered them. They eat my Hosta, my Black-eyed Susan's and my Reblooming Daylilies.
<span>Jennifer</span> Sat, 04/25/2020 - 20:12
We bought starter peppers that we thought were mild bell peppers. They weren't. We have Scandinavian roots and we can't tolerate too much heat in our peppers, but we tried. These peppers grew really well and we tried to bake and stuff them, put them in soups, pair them with cheese...nothing helped the hotness... but one morning...they were all gone from the garden - like, 30 hot peppers! The deer ate them! We laughed at the image. Do you think it was deer? Or something else?
<span>Caitlin</span> Sat, 04/11/2020 - 11:34
One thing you can use to help repel deer, squirrels, etc. is spraying your plants with a hot sauce! Every mammal has heat receptors in their mouths, and so they don't like hot sauce. The only thing is you have to reapply it after it rains. A version of this will also work to keep squirrels out of your bird feeders. Just mix the seeds with a hot chili powder. Birds don't have heat receptors, so it won't bother them but it will the squirrels.
<span>Betsy</span> Sun, 03/08/2020 - 17:44
Do you have any suggestions for squirrel and rabbit resistant plants. My squirrels ate everything they are not supposed to eat last year. Would love any suggestions before I start planting this year.
<span>Michele Hamlin</span> Sat, 03/07/2020 - 22:37
Deer eat my husbands muscadines (Southern style grapes). They mature late in the summer. Do you think planting these deer resistant plants below the vines would run them off. Would the odor drift up to the muscadines? Thanks
<span>Fred_In_Pa</span> Tue, 03/03/2020 - 17:26
Deer here in Pittsburgh will eat the holly, prickles and all. They also trim the arborvitaes into ice-cream cones. They seem to eat anything young, but may leave it alone once it's older. Of course, once the sprouts are older, usually the grass is up and they can graze that, instead. Our local garden center made an (inadvertent?) funny on this subject. They have permanent overhead signs in their yard to help locate things. Last year, under the sign for Deer-Resistant plants, some worker with a forklift had left a pallet of boulders. Hm-m-m.