Do Deer Eat Morning Glory

Gardeners often wonder, do deer eat morning glory? The short answer is yes, they sometimes do, but it’s not their first choice. If you’re struggling with deer in your garden, understanding their eating habits can help you protect your beautiful vines.

Morning glory plants contain compounds that can be mildly toxic. Deer usually avoid them if other, tastier plants are available. However, in times of drought or when food is scarce, hungry deer will eat almost anything, including your morning glories. Let’s look at how to assess your risk and keep your garden safe.

This question doesn’t have a simple yes or no. Deer are opportunistic browsers. Their diet changes with the seasons and what’s available in their habitat.

Why Deer Might Leave Morning Glories Alone

Morning glory vines have a few natural defenses. The leaves and seeds contain alkaloids, like lysergic acid. These substances can cause stomach upset in many animals, including deer. Because of this, deer often rank morning glory as a low-preference plant. They will typically sample it only after eating more desirable plants.

Toxicity: The natural compounds deter casual browsing.
Texture: Some deer find the leaves slightly hairy or tough compared to softer plants like hostas or daylilies.
Availability of Better Food: In a lush environment, deer have many options.

When Deer Become a Real Threat

Despite the plant’s defenses, there are situations where deer will cause damage. A desperate deer is not a picky eater. If their natural food sources dwindle, they will venture into gardens and try plants they normally avoid.

Late Winter/Early Spring: This is the hardest time for deer. Natural forage is scarce, and your emerging garden might be their first green meal.
Drought Conditions: Dry weather reduces wild plants, pushing deer to seek water and food in cultivated areas.
High Deer Population: In areas with too many deer, competition forces them to eat less palatable plants.
Young, Tender Growth: New morning glory shoots are more tender and may be more appealing then established leaves.

Signs Deer Are Eating Your Morning Glories

It’s important to confirm the culprit. Deer damage looks different from damage caused by insects or rabbits.

Ragged Torn Leaves: Deer don’t have upper front teeth. They tear plants, leaving rough, uneven edges.
Missing Flowers and Buds: Deer may neatly nip off the blooms.
Hoof Prints: Look for distinct tracks in soft soil.
Height of Damage: Deer can reach quite high, often leaving damage from the ground up to about six feet.

Protecting Your Morning Glory Vines

If deer are a consistent problem in your area, taking proactive steps is wise. A layered approach works best.

1. Use Deer-Repellent Sprays

Commercial or homemade repellents can be effective. They work by taste or smell. You need to reapply them regularly, especially after rain.

Choose a repellent with ingredients like putrescent egg solids, garlic, or capsaicin.
Apply it to dry leaves during a period of no rain.
Reapply every 2-4 weeks, or as directed on the label.
Rotate between two different products so deer don’t become accustomed to one smell.

2. Install Physical Barriers

This is the most reliable method. Fencing is the gold standard for deer control.

Tall Fencing: A fence needs to be at least 8 feet tall to reliably deter deer, as they are excellent jumpers.
Double Fencing: Two shorter fences (4-5 feet tall) spaced 3-4 feet apart can confuse deer and prevent jumping.
Individual Plant Cages: For young or especially valuable vines, use wire cages until they are established.

3. Strategic Planting Choices

You can use your garden layout to your advantage. This doesn’t make morning glories invincible, but it can help.

Plant in Less Accessible Spots: Grow morning glories near your house, on a porch trellis, or in hanging baskets where deer are less likely to venture.
Surround with Deer-Resistant Plants: Create a border of plants deer strongly dislike, such as lavender, sage, marigolds, or daffodils, around your more vulnerable plants.

What to Plant Instead (If Deer Pressure is High)

If deer are relentless in your garden, you might consider swapping morning glory for a vine they find less appealing. This can save you a lot of frustration.

Clematis: Many varieties are rarely browsed by deer.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera): Some types are more deer-resistant, though not immune.
American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens): A native vine that deer usually avoid.
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata): Another excellent native alternative with beautiful trumpet flowers.

Long-Term Garden Management with Deer

Living with deer means adapting your gardening habits. It’s about making your yard less attractive as a feeding station.

Remove Attractants: Keep fallen fruit from trees picked up and secure compost piles.
Use Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These provide a surprising and effective deterrent when deer enter a specific area.
Try Sensory Deterrents: Hanging bars of strongly scented soap or bags of human hair can sometimes work, but their effectiveness varies widely.
Be Consistent: Whichever methods you choose, consistency is key. Deer are creatures of habit, and you need to break their habit of visiting your garden.

FAQs About Deer and Morning Glories

Are all morning glory varieties equally resistant to deer?

Generally, yes. Most common morning glory species (Ipomoea) contain similar alkaloids. However, the softer, lusher growth of some hybrid might be slightly more tempting, but the difference is minor. Deer either will eat them or they won’t based on hunger, not the specific cultivar.

Do deer eat morning glory seeds?

It’s very unlikely. The seeds are hard and contain the highest concentration of alkaloids. Deer are not seed-eaters in that way; they prefer leafy vegetation, buds, and soft stems. The seeds pose no attractant to them.

What other animals eat morning glory plants?

While deer are a potential threat, other pests are more common. Rabbits may nibble young seedlings. Japanese beetles and leaf miners are frequent insect pests that cause distinctive damage (skeletonized leaves or winding trails within the leaf). Slugs and snails also enjoy the tender leaves, especially in damp weather.

Is it safe to use morning glory plants in areas where deer feed?

The mild toxicity is more a concern for pets or livestock that might ingest large quantities. Deer consuming a small amount while browsing a variety of plants is part of their natural foraging behavior and typically doesn’t cause them significant harm, which is why they will do it when hungry.

Will coffee grounds keep deer away from my morning glories?

This is a common garden myth with little evidence. While the smell might be strong to us, deer have different sensitivities. There’s no reliable proof that scattered coffee grounds are an effective deer deterrent. It’s better to use proven repellents or barriers for protection.

In the end, whether deer eat your morning glory depends largely on your local deer population and the availability of their preferred foods. By observing the signs and implementing a practical mix of deterrents, you can greatly increase your chances of enjoying those vibrant morning blooms all season long. Remember, gardening with wildlife is always a balance, but with a few smart strategies, you can find a workable solution.