Plants Deer Like To Eat

If you share your yard with deer, you know the struggle. You plant something beautiful, only to find it eaten overnight. Instead of fighting them, consider working with nature. A smart approach is to learn about the plants deer like to eat and use that knowledge to your advantage. You can create a lovely space that’s less tempting to your four-legged neighbors.

This guide will help you understand deer preferences. We’ll look at what they love, what they sometimes avoid, and how to plan a resilient garden. The goal is a beautiful yard that you, and the deer, can enjoy with less conflict.

Deer are browsers with a varied diet. They favor plants that are tender, moist, and nutritious. New growth is especially vulnerable. Here are some common garden favorites that deer find hard to resist:

Hostas: Often called deer candy. Their lush, broad leaves are a top target from spring to fall.
Daylilies: The tender shoots, buds, and flowers are a favorite meal. They’ll often eat the entire stalk.
Roses: Deer will eat the new leaves, buds, and even thorny canes, leaving your bushes stripped.
Tulips & Crocus: These spring bulbs are like treats. Deer will dig for and eat the flowers and foliage.
Vegetable Gardens: Beans, peas, lettuce, and sweet corn are particularly vulnerable. A vegetable garden often needs physical protection.
Fruit Trees & Berries: Young apple trees, strawberries, and raspberry canes are frequently damaged.
English Ivy: While often considered durable, deer will eat ivy, especially in winter when other food is scarce.

Why Deer Choose Certain Plants

Deer don’t just eat randomly. Their choices depend on a few key factors. Understanding this can help you make better planting decisions.

Nutrition & Water Content: Deer seek out plants high in protein and water. This is why your well-fertilized, watered garden is more attractive than wild forage.
Seasonal Availability: In spring and summer, they have many choices. In winter, they become less picky and will eat plants they normally ignore, including woody shrubs.
Local Herd Habits: Deer in different areas develop different tastes. What one herd avoids, another might devour. It’s good to talk to neighbors about what works in your specific location.

Building Your Deer-Friendly Garden Strategy

You don’t have to give up on a beautiful garden. A layered strategy is your best defense. It combines plant choice, garden design, and other deterrents.

Step 1: Start with Less-Appealing Plants

The core of a deer-friendly garden is filling it with plants deer tend to avoid. These are often aromatic, have fuzzy or tough leaves, or contain bitter sap. Here’s a list to get you started:

Herbs: Lavender, sage, rosemary, mint, and oregano. Their strong scents are a natural deterrent.
Perennials: Russian sage, peonies, bleeding heart, foxglove, and daffodils (which are also toxic).
Shrubs: Boxwood, butterfly bush, potentilla, and spirea. Deer might sample these but usually leave them alone once established.
Ornamental Grasses: Most grasses, like fountain grass and maiden grass, are rarely bothered.

Step 2: Use Design as a Deterrent

How you arrange your plants can make a big difference. Deer are cautious animals and don’t like venturing into tight spaces.

Plant vulnerable favorites close to your house, where human activity is highest.
Create dense borders with less-palatable shrubs to act as a physical and scent barrier.
Use raised beds or containers for prized plants like herbs or lettuce, placing them on patios or decks.

Step 3: Layer in Protective Measures

For plants you must have that are also deer favorites, protection is key. No single method is perfect, but rotation can help.

Fencing: The most effective solution. An 8-foot tall fence is best, but two shorter, parallel fences can also work.
Repellents: Use scent or taste-based sprays. You must rotate products every few weeks so deer don’t get used to them. Apply them regularly, especially after rain.
Motion-Activated Devices: Sprinklers or lights can startle deer and teach them to avoid your yard. These are a good short-term solution for new plantings.

Creating a Balanced Landscape

Remember, if deer are hungry enough, they will eat almost anything. The goal isn’t a deer-proof garden—that’s nearly impossible—but a deer-resilient one. By focusing on the plants deer like to eat less, you reduce the appeal of your yard.

Incorporate a variety of textures and heights. Add a bird bath or feeder to encourage other wildlife. A diverse garden is a healthy ecosystem that can better withstand a little browsing. Accept that you might loose a plant or two, and see it as part of sharing the environment.

Start small. Redesign one bed at a time with deer-resistant choices. Observe what the deer in your area do and don’t touch. Your garden will evolve into a space that brings you joy with less frustration. It’s a more sustainable and peaceful way to garden.

FAQ: Common Questions About Deer and Gardens

Are there any truly deer-proof plants?
No plant is completely deer-proof. When natural food sources are low, deer will sample plants they normally avoid. “Deer-resistant” is a more accurate term than “deer-proof.”

Will deer eat my hydrangeas?
Unfortunately, many hydrangeas, especially the smooth-leafed types, are quite appetizing to deer. Oakleaf hydrangeas and those with rougher leaves are sometimes less damaged.

What smells do deer hate the most?
Deer dislike strong, pungent scents. These include garlic, onion, mint, thyme, and egg-based or predator-urine repellents. Using these scents around your garden’s perimeter can help.

Do coffee grounds repel deer?
The evidence is anecdotal. While the strong smell might offer a temporary deterrent, it’s not a reliable long-term solution on its own. It’s better used as part of a broader strategy.

Should I feed the deer to keep them away from my plants?
This is not recommended. Feeding deer can make them dependent, attract more deer to your property, and increase the risk of disease transmission. It’s also illegal in some areas. It’s best to let them find their natural forage.