If you're a gardener in deer country, finding the most deer resistant plants is essential for a successful garden. While no plant is 100% deer-proof, these varieties are consistently avoided by deer — making them your best bet for a beautiful, intact garden.
Top 25 Most Deer Resistant Plants
1. Lavender
Type: Perennial Herb
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Excellent
The intense fragrance of lavender is one of the most reliable deer deterrents. It's drought-tolerant, attractive to pollinators, and beautiful in the landscape.
2. Foxglove (Digitalis)
Type: Perennial/Biennial
Light: Partial Shade
Deer Resistance: Excellent
Foxgloves contain toxic cardiac glycosides that deer instinctively avoid. Their tall spires of bell-shaped flowers add vertical interest to the garden.
3. Boxwood
Type: Evergreen Shrub
Light: Sun to Partial Shade
Deer Resistance: Excellent
Boxwood has a strong, unpleasant smell to deer. It's the classic choice for formal hedges and topiary.
4. Russian Sage
Type: Perennial
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Excellent
Russian sage has aromatic, silvery foliage and airy purple flower spikes. It's drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
5. Daffodils (Narcissus)
Type: Bulb
Light: Sun to Partial Shade
Deer Resistance: Excellent
Daffodil bulbs contain toxic alkaloids that deter all mammals, including deer, squirrels, and voles. They're completely reliable.
6. Yarrow (Achillea)
Type: Perennial
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Very Good
Yarrow's ferny foliage and bitter taste make it unappealing to deer. It's tough, drought-tolerant, and long-blooming.
7. Lamb's Ear
Type: Perennial
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Very Good
The fuzzy texture of lamb's ear is unappealing to deer. It's an excellent ground cover for dry, sunny spots.
8. Peonies
Type: Perennial
Light: Sun to Partial Shade
Deer Resistance: Very Good
Peonies have dense, tough foliage and a bitter taste that deer generally avoid. They're long-lived, easy-care perennials.
9. Alliums
Type: Bulb
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Excellent
Alliums are in the onion family and have a strong, unpleasant smell that deer avoid. Their spherical flower heads add architectural interest.
10. Holly
Type: Evergreen Shrub
Light: Sun to Partial Shade
Deer Resistance: Very Good
Holly's spiky, prickly leaves and tough texture deter deer. It provides winter berries for birds.
11. Juniper
Type: Evergreen Shrub
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Very Good
Juniper's prickly foliage and strong scent discourage deer. It's available in many shapes and sizes.
12. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Type: Shrub
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Very Good
Butterfly bush has fragrant flowers that attract butterflies but repel deer. It's fast-growing and blooms all summer.
13. Ornamental Grasses
Type: Grass
Light: Sun to Partial Shade
Deer Resistance: Good to Very Good
Most ornamental grasses are avoided by deer due to their tough, fibrous texture. Varieties like miscanthus and fountain grass are excellent choices.
14. Catmint (Nepeta)
Type: Perennial
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Good
Catmint has a strong minty scent that deer dislike. It's drought-tolerant and produces lovely blue flowers.
15. Spurge (Euphorbia)
Type: Perennial
Light: Sun to Partial Shade
Deer Resistance: Very Good
Euphorbias have milky, toxic sap that deters deer. They offer interesting foliage and flower structures.
16. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Type: Perennial
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Good
Deer generally leave coneflowers alone. Their rough, hairy stems are unappealing, and the plants are tough and resilient.
17. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Type: Perennial
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Good
Black-eyed Susans have hairy stems and a bitter taste that deer don't enjoy. They're cheerful, long-blooming plants.
18. Sage (Salvia)
Type: Perennial
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Good to Very Good
Many salvia species have aromatic leaves that deer dislike. They're drought-tolerant and attract pollinators.
19. Thyme
Type: Perennial Herb
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Good
Thyme has a strong fragrance that deer avoid. It's an excellent ground cover for sunny spots.
20. Astilbe
Type: Perennial
Light: Partial to Full Shade
Deer Resistance: Good
Astilbe has ferny foliage that deer tend to avoid. Its feathery flower plumes add color to shade gardens.
21. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)
Type: Succulent
Light: Full Sun
Deer Resistance: Excellent
Hens and chicks have fleshy, bitter-tasting leaves that deer avoid. They're perfect for rock gardens and containers.
22. Japanese Pachysandra
Type: Evergreen Ground Cover
Light: Partial to Full Shade
Deer Resistance: Excellent
Pachysandra is a tough, low-growing ground cover that deer avoid. It's excellent for erosion control on slopes.
23. Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)
Type: Evergreen Ground Cover
Light: Partial to Full Shade
Deer Resistance: Good
Periwinkle has glossy leaves and blue flowers. Its tough texture and bitter taste deter deer.
24. Monkshood (Aconitum)
Type: Perennial
Light: Partial Shade
Deer Resistance: Excellent
Monkshood contains potent toxins that deer avoid completely. Its tall spires of blue flowers are striking in late summer.
25. Bergenia
Type: Perennial
Light: Partial Shade
Deer Resistance: Good
Bergenia has large, leathery leaves that are tough and unpalatable to deer. Its leaves turn bronze-red in winter.
Comparing Deer Resistance Levels
| Resistance Level | What It Means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | Rarely eaten, even when deer are hungry | Lavender, foxglove, boxwood, daffodils |
| Very Good | Eaten only when other food is scarce | Peonies, yarrow, holly, juniper |
| Good | Usually avoided but can be eaten if hungry | Coneflower, black-eyed Susan, sage |
Strategies for Maximum Deer Resistance
- Plant a diverse selection: The more variety, the less likely deer will find something they like.
- Use scent camouflage: Plant strongly scented herbs near vulnerable plants.
- Create a deer-resistant perimeter: Plant the most resistant plants at the garden edge.
- Combine with physical deterrents: Fencing, motion-activated devices, and repellents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single most deer resistant plant?
Lavender and foxglove are among the most reliably deer-resistant plants. Their strong scents and toxic compounds, respectively, make them consistently avoided by deer.
Are any plants 100% deer proof?
No plant is 100% deer-proof. Starving deer will eat almost anything. However, plants like lavender, foxglove, boxwood, and daffodils are as close to deer-proof as you can get.
Do deer eat hydrangeas?
Yes, deer love hydrangeas. They are one of the first plants deer target in gardens. Protect them with fencing or strong repellents.
What shrubs are most deer resistant?
Boxwood, juniper, holly, butterfly bush, and Russian sage are among the most deer-resistant shrubs.