I’ve often watched in frustration as deer casually grazed my mom’s open garden, undoing all her hard work.
After suggesting various methods to keep them away, my mom and I discovered a few plants that deer simply won’t touch whatsoever. These hardy, deer-resistant plants not only survived but also thrived in her garden.
If you too are struggling with deer interference in your garden, let me share the best plants to protect your outdoor space and keep them at bay.
Top Outdoor Plants Deers Won’t Touch
7 – Lavender
Lavender is particularly disliked by deer due to its strong, pungent aroma. While we humans often enjoy the soothing scent of lavender in soaps or fragrances, deer find its smell rather overwhelming and unpleasant. As a result, they instinctively avoid areas where lavender is present, making it an effective natural deer deterrent.
6 – Sedums
Deer tend to avoid sedums because of their thick, fleshy leaves and strong, bitter taste. As succulents, these plants are tough and difficult for deer to chew, making them unappealing. The bitter flavor discourages grazing, ensuring that deer leave them untouched in your garden.
5 – Mint
Mint is not only known for repelling pests and insects but also for deterring deer. Its strong menthol scent is off-putting to deer, keeping them away from your garden. Additionally, the powerful aroma of mint masks the scent of other plants, making it an excellent deterrent for your entire garden.
4 – Ferns
Deer tend to avoid ferns because they have a tough texture and unappealing taste. Many fern species feature coarse, tough leaves that deer find unpleasant to chew. As a result, they typically avoid ferns altogether or may only take a few nibbles before quickly losing interest and walking away, dissatisfied.
3 – Sage
Deer tend to stay away from sage due to its intense, pungent aroma. If it’s potent enough to repel mosquitoes and insects, it’s no surprise that deer steer clear of it as well. To add to this, the bitter texture of sage makes it extremely unpleasant to chew, so they’re unlikely to graze on it for long.
Certain sage varieties like Russian sage offer aromatic qualities that can attract beneficial pollinators to your garden, making the plant a much more valuable addition than you might think.
2 – Marigolds
Marigolds release a strong, musky aroma that is overpowering to animals, effectively repelling them. Their vibrant colors also make them highly attention-grabbing, adding a burst of beauty to your garden while keeping unwanted deer as well as pests and insects away for the better.
If you want to use marigolds to prevent deer from accessing other valuable plants in your garden, consider planting them around the perimeter. Their strong scent will discourage deer from entering, effectively prompting them to flee the area before they even step in to graze on your more delicate plants.
1 – Daffodils
Daffodils contain an alkaloid compound called lycorine. It’s toxic to deer and can cause illness and discomfort if ingested, making daffodil a plant that deer instinctively avoid grazing on. Although the bright yellow blooms may attract the attention of nearby deer, the plant’s toxicity just ensures they won’t linger for long.
Final Words
After dealing with deer in my mom’s garden for years, I found these plants to be a game-changer. They’ve helped keep the deer away while adding immense beauty and depth to the garden.
I hope my suggestions help you protect your own outdoor space and enjoy a thriving, deer-free garden. With the right plants, your hard work will be able to shine through without being gobbled up by unwanted deer.
