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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>Holly</span> Fri, 09/27/2019 - 09:17
something just ate the crap out of my aster last night so i would say it isn't deer or rabbit resistant
<span>Deb</span> Thu, 05/02/2019 - 15:28
I have found Dianthus, the little carnations seem to be left alone in my garden so far. Keeping my fingers crossed.
<span>Tammy Boyne</span> Thu, 08/23/2018 - 08:45
While neighbors may delight in feeding deer here close to the lake in NW Arkansas, I would rather just watch them do their own thing in the woods while I tend to my flowers and look at the lake. No such luck! The deer all want to top off their meal in my yard with tasty tidbits of Hosta, Hibiscus, Roses, Hens and Chickens, Boston Fern fronds, Wandering Jew, Elephant Ears, Rose Moss, 4 O'Clocks, and our Japanese Maple (which is a dwarf tree that stand only 4 ft tall) I also have a succulent garden that does not seem to offend or stop them, I have also tried lavender, marigold and sage, no luck. Will try some of the others. Our deer seem to be "non-plant offenders".
<span>Eleanor B Mason</span> Thu, 03/15/2018 - 09:56
Barberry plants, esp. Japanese Barberry, hide loads of ticks that cause Lyme Disease. Do NOT plant these in your yard, or anywhere near you!
<span>Jean Buckley</span> Fri, 06/28/2019 - 14:17
Japanese and other barberries are also on the invasive species list in many states. Ticks (yuck) and the environment-two reasons to skip them. T
<span>Mary In Wyoming</span> Fri, 07/28/2017 - 18:44
All our lilac bushes that are our mule deer can access are trimmed of leaves as high as they can reach standing on their hind legs. I'd read several articles that deer won't eat potato plant leaves. We learned the hard way that this is not so. We had to put up an eight foot fence in a small area where we had planted potatoes outside the main garden.
<span>Steve</span> Wed, 06/28/2017 - 10:12
Hosta, Holly, Hydranga, Rhodies, and Day Lillies are favorites for deer in Westchester County, NY. Arborvide is another of their favorites. Most unprotected arborvites here look like lolliepops because of deer browsing They don't seem to like Boxwoods, Spiraea, or Inkberries and leave them alone. But in a bad winter, unless it makes them physically sick, they'll eat anything It would be nice if they developed a taste for poison ivy, as we have plenty of that
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 06/28/2017 - 11:57

Good choices. Common boxwood is rarely eaten by deer. Spirea and inkberry bushes are seldom eaten.  All the other plants you mention should be avoided if deer are a problem. And hostas definitely qualify as the biggest deer lollypops on your list!

 <span>Francisco Serrano</span> Wed, 06/28/2017 - 08:33
So the point is to push the deer from their lands? same for the rest of the wildlife.. shame.
<span>Km</span> Tue, 04/02/2019 - 12:14
That's such a stupid comment to make, "push the deer from their lands". You're just saying ignorant things anonymously online so you can get a jab at someone. You should be the one ashamed. My property backs up to the Cleveland Metroparks, renowned for its urban wildlife. We have herds of deer hanging out or passing through every day. Deer have their babies in our flower beds. But that doesn't mean I am going to plant hostas, because they literally eat it to a nub every day. I know this because they ate them all - they're gone. But just because people want to plant other varietals that deer don't destroy doesn't mean they aim to push wildlife from "their lands". Grow up.