66 Best Deer Resistant Plants You Can Grow

Sheri Dorn is a versatile homesteader and culinary artist with a strong focus on organic and heirloom gardening. Holding a Master's degree in Culinary Arts, she combines her love for cooking and gardening in a unique way. Sheri is an active contributor to online gardening communities and enjoys quality outdoor time with her family and pets.
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Are you worried about Bambi wreaking havoc in your garden? Worry not! Here are the Best Deer Resistant Plants to keep them away!

While no plant is entirely deer resistant, Bambi tends to shy away from plants with unpalatable characteristics such as thorny stems, strong scent, bitter flavor, or unappealing texture. Let’s have a look at the Best Deer Resistant Plants!

Are dahlias deer resistant? Find out here


Best Deer Resistant Plants

1. French Marigold

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Botanical Name: Tagetes

USDA Zones: 2-11

The French Marigolds bloom in a bright range of colors over a longer time and are loved by most gardeners. Their strong fragrance keeps the deer from feeding on them, and these are one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

2. Sunflowers

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Botanical Name: Helianthus

USDA Zones: 4-9

Deer do not like to munch on these big, bright, sunny flowers because of the rough texture of their leaves. So, you can plant as many as you want in your garden without worrying!

3. Butterfly Bush

Best Deer Resistant Plants 2

Botanical Name: Buddleja

USDA Zones: 5-9

The Butterfly Bush is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants native to China and Japan and is excellent for planting along the parameter of your garden to keep deer away. It also attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

4. Aster

Best Deer Resistant Plants You Can Grow 4

Botanical Name: Aster

USDA Zones: 3-8

The typical purple or pink Aster flower is both deer and disease-resistant. Deer do not like to munch on this perennial because of its texture, making it one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

5. Heliotrope

Best Deer Resistant Plants 3

Botanical Name: Heliotropium

USDA Zones: 10-11

Heliotrope is another plant that deer detest because of its strong scent and sandpaper-like foliage texture. So, you could be sure that these beautiful purple flowers would not be eaten away. These are one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

6. Foxgloves

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Botanical Name: Digitalis

USDA Zones: 4-9

Deer tend to avoid any toxic plants, including foxglove. You can grow this plant in rows around the garden border to deter deer besides beautifying the place.

7. Pot Marigold

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

USDA Zone: 9-11

The happy, bright, yellow flowers are great for keeping deer away because of the strong fragrance. They also work well to stop bunnies from munching in your garden. These are regarded by many as one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

8. Lily of the Valley

Botanical Name: Convallaria majalis

USDA Zone: 3-8

The bell-shaped white pretty flowers historically symbolize feminity. But it is their poisonous nature that deters deer from feeding on them, which is why Lily of the Valley is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

9. Lamb’s Ear

Best Deer Resistant Plants 5

Botanical Name: Stachys byzantina

USDA Zone: 4-7

Deer do not find this plant appetizing because of its velvety-soft texture. You can choose this popular plant for ground cover too! It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

10. African Lily

Botanical Name: Agapanthus africanus

USDA Zone: 8-10

African Lily bears big drumstick flower heads from midsummer. You can grow this plant in a container or outdoors to repel deer from the yard.

11. Daffodil

Botanical Name: Narcissus

USDA Zone: 3-8

If you want to keep deer at bay and lighten up your garden, you should grow Daffodils. They won’t come near them because of their toxicity, making these one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

12. Zinnias

Botanical Name: Zinnia

USDA Zone: 3-10

Most gardeners love the bright colors of Zinnias and often choose to grow them in a range of shades. Deer do not like the rough texture of the leaves and would mostly stay away from the plant. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

13. Peonies

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Botanical Name: Paeonia

USDA Zone: 3-8

Another beautiful bright flowering plant that will not only liven up your garden but keep the four-legged creatures away. Deer do not like the flavor of the flowers. Their powerful fragrance also acts as a deterrent to them, making these highly effective and one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

14. Bearded Iris

Botanical Name: Iris germanica

USDA Zone: 3-10

The fragrance of popular Bearded Iris is something most gardeners love. Deer, on the other hand, do not like the strong scent at all and stay away. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

15. Bleeding Hearts

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Botanical Name: Lamprocapnos

USDA Zone: 3-9

Even though these plants are known for their beauty, they’re also poisonous. Smart deer know to steer clear from them unless they want to suffer from some severe repercussions. These are one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

16. Purple Coneflowers

Botanical Name: Echinacea

USDA Zone: 3-8

The purple coneflowers are known to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds but deer. Purple coneflowers are toxic to them. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

17. Mint

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Botanical Name: Mentha

USDA Zone: 3-8

Another of the Best Deer Resistant Plants is Mint. The smell of mint leaves is too much for deer, and they cannot stand the highly aromatic foliage of this herb.

18. Heather

Botanical Name: Calluna

USDA Zone: 4-6

They look breathtaking when planted in giant swathes. The animals do not find them appealing enough to munch on these beauties because of the texture. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

19. Lungwort

Botanical Name: Pulmonaria officinalis

USDA Zone: 3-8

Lungwort ‘Ocupol’ is a semi-evergreen perennial with clear pale blue flowers. This is a plant that these animals completely detest, which is why it is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

20. Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia

USDA Zone: 5-10

Apparently, the aroma of the plant seems to be stinking for the deer, and they avoid it for their meal. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

21. Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula

USDA Zone: 5-9

Lavender is one of the classic perennial herbs that’s grown for its strong scent and beauty. However, deer do not appreciate its fragrance and stay away, making it one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants for any home or garden.

22. Oriental Poppies

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Botanical Name: Papaver orientale

USDA Zone: 3-9

These gorgeous beauties are undoubtedly one of the most stunning and elegant flowering plants but they are also toxic. This is the reason why deer do not wish to come near them. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

23. Crape Myrtle

Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia

USDA Zone: 7-10

Crape myrtles come in a variety of hybrids with bright, lacy flowers. Deer will seldom eat any variety as they find the texture of the foliage pretty unpalatable for their taste. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

24. Houseleeks

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Botanical Name: Sempervivum tectorum

USDA Zone: 3-8

Houseleeks form attractive rosettes that tolerate both shade and sun. This succulent is unappealing to team deer because they are poisonous to them, making these one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

25. Fountain Grass

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Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum

USDA Zone: 9-10

For landscapes that are most frequented by deer, there are numerous options of ornamental grasses that these animals would rather not eat. This perennial grass will add charm to your garden and is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

26. Rosemary

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Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus

USDA Zone: 6-10

Rosemary is not only used for culinary seasoning but also looks beautiful in the garden. Deer do not like its strong, piney scent and usually keep a distance, which is why these earn a place in our list of the “Best Deer Resistant Plants.”

27. Lenten Rose

Botanical Name: Helleborus orientalis

USDA Zone: 4-9

Lenten rose is an early bloomer in the season and is loved by many gardeners. They are poisonous and one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

28. Bee Balm

shutterstock/Chris Hill

Botanical Name: Monarda

USDA Zone: 3-9

This beautiful flowering plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds but not deer. These animals find the minty orange fragrance very ‘stinky’ for their taste. These are one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

29. Sweet Woodruff

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Botanical Name: Galium odoratum

USDA Zone: 4-8

This shade-friendly ground cover with white flowers and a sweet fragrance is unsuitable for deer. They don’t munch on these beauties because of their scent. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

30. Verbena

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Botanical Name: Verbena

USDA Zone: 9-11

Another of the Best Deer Resistant Plants, the Verbena is one of the best flowering shrubs for season-long color. Deer find the finely textured blue-green foliage not good enough for their taste. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

31. Thyme

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Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris

USDA Zone: 4-9

One of the Best Deer Resistant Plants, Thyme is a fragrant herb with small leaves commonly used in cooking. It is a perennial plant that is drought-resistant and can grow in various soil types.

32. Yarrow

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Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium

USDA Zone: 3-9

Yarrow is a perennial herb with fern-like leaves and small, flat-topped clusters of flowers. It is often used in natural medicine to treat various ailments and is also a popular addition to gardens. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

33. Sedum

Botanical Name: Sedum spp.

USDA Zone: 3-10

Sedum is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves that stores water. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants and is often used in rock gardens or as ground cover and comes in various shapes, sizes, and colors.

34. Daylily

Botanical Name: Hemerocallis spp.

USDA Zone: 3-9

Daylilies are a type of perennial flower with long, strap-like leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in multiple colors. They are easy to care for and can be grown in various soil types. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

35. Lantana

Botanical Name: Lantana camara

USDA Zone: 9-11

Another of the Best Deer Resistant Plants, Lantana is a colorful flowering plant with small, clustered flowers blooming in shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

36. Coreopsis

Best Deer Resistant Plants You Can Grow 36
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Botanical Name: Coreopsis spp.

USDA Zone: 4-9

Coreopsis is a perennial plant with daisy-like flowers that come in shades of yellow, orange, and red. It is a hardy plant that is easy to care for and can be used as a border or in rock gardens, making it one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

37. Catmint

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Botanical Name: Nepeta spp.

USDA Zone: 3-8

Catmint is a perennial herb with small, lavender-blue flowers that bloom in early summer. It is often used in gardens for its attractive foliage and ability to attract bees and butterflies, making it one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

38. Baby’s Breath

Botanical Name: Gypsophila

USDA Zone: 3-9

Baby’s Breath is a flowering plant with delicate white or pink flowers often used as filler in bouquets and arrangements. It is a hardy plant that is easy to care for and can be used in gardens or as cut flowers.

39. Marigold

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Botanical Name: Tagetes spp.

USDA Zone: Annual in most zones, some varieties may overwinter in Zones 8-11

Marigolds are annual plants with bright, colorful flowers that come in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They are easy to care for and can be used in gardens to add color and attract beneficial insects, earning them a place in our “Best Deer Resistant Plants” list.

40. Russian Sage

Botanical Name: Perovskia atriplicifolia

USDA Zone: 5-9

Russian Sage is a perennial plant with silver-gray leaves and tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers. This plant is drought-resistant that can attract butterflies and bees. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

41. Salvia

Botanical Name: Salvia

USDA Zone: 5-9

Salvia is a perennial plant with spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers blooming in early summer. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants and a hardy plant that can be used as a border or in rock gardens.

42. Ornamental Grasses

Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis

USDA Zone: 4-9

Ornamental grasses are a group of plants grown for their attractive foliage and texture. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors and can be used in gardens to add height and movement. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

43. Columbine

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Botanical Name: Aquilegia

USDA Zone: 3-9

Columbine is a perennial plant with delicate, bell-shaped flowers that come in multiple colors. It is a hardy plant that is considered among the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

44. Astilbe

Nancy’s Plants

Botanical Name: Astilbe

USDA Zone: 3-8

Astilbe is a type of perennial plant with feathery plumes of flowers that come in shades of pink, red, and white. It is a hardy plant that prefers moist soil and can be used in gardens to add color and texture, making it one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

45. Clematis

Botanical Name: Clematis spp.

USDA Zone: 4-9

Clematis is a climbing perennial plant with large, showy flowers that come in different colors. It is often grown on trellises or other supports and can be used to add height and color to gardens. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

46. Hosta

Botanical Name: Hosta

USDA Zone: 3-9

Hosta is a perennial plant with large, attractive leaves that come in multiple colors and patterns. It is a hardy plant that prefers shade and can be used in woodland gardens, borders, or as a ground cover, making it a versatile choice among the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

47. Boxwood

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Botanical Name: Buxus

USDA Zone: 5-9

Boxwood is an evergreen shrub with small, dark green leaves that can be pruned into various shapes. It is often used in formal gardens, hedges, or as a topiary and is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

48. Forsythia

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Botanical Name: Forsythia

USDA Zone: 5-9

Forsythia is another of the Best Deer Resistant Plants and is a deciduous shrub with bright yellow flowers that bloom in early spring. It is a hardy plant that can grow in different soil types and can be used in gardens to add color and texture.

49. Snowberry

Botanical Name: Symphoricarpos

USDA Zone: 3-7

Snowberry is a deciduous shrub with white, waxy berries that persist into winter. It is often used in gardens to add winter interest or as a background plant, making it one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

50. Snow-in-Summer

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Botanical Name: Cerastium tomentosum

USDA Zone: 3-7

Snow-in-Summer is a low-growing perennial plant with small, silvery leaves and white flowers that bloom in late spring. It is often used as a ground cover or in rock gardens and is considered one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

51. Daisy

Botanical Name: Bellis perennis

USDA Zone: 4-9

Daisies are perennial plants with bright, colorful flowers that come in various shapes and sizes. They are easy to care for and can be used in gardens to add color and attract beneficial insects. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

52. Potentilla

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Botanical Name: Potentilla

USDA Zone: 3-7

Potentilla is a type of perennial shrub with bright yellow, red, or pink flowers that bloom throughout the summer. It is a hardy plant that can grow in various soil types and is one of the top choices among the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

53. Barberry

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Botanical Name: Berberis

USDA Zone: 4-8

Barberry is a deciduous shrub with thorny branches and small, colorful leaves that come in shades of red, orange, or yellow. It is often used in gardens to create a hedge or as a background plant. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

54. Hydrangea

Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla
USDA Zone: 3-9
One of the Best Deer Resistant Plants, Hydrangea is a shrub with large, showy flowers that come in shades of blue, pink, or white. It is a hardy plant that can grow in various soil types and can be used in gardens to add color and texture.

55. Pachysandra

Botanical Name: Pachysandra terminalis

USDA Zone: 5-9

Pachysandra is a low-growing perennial plant with glossy, dark green leaves that can be used as a ground cover in shady areas. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

56. Euonymus

Botanical Name: Euonymus

USDA Zone: 6-10

Euonymus is a shrub with colorful leaves that come in green, yellow, or variegated shades. It is often used in gardens to add color and texture, making it one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

57. Hellebore

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Botanical Name: Helleborus

USDA Zone: 4-9

Hellebore is a perennial plant with leathery, evergreen leaves and delicate, bell-shaped flowers that come in shades of pink, purple, or white. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

58. Artemesia

Botanical Name: Artemisia

USDA Zone: 4-9

Artemesia is a type of perennial plant with silver-gray leaves that can add texture and contrast to gardens. The plant is considered by many as one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

59. Honeysuckle

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Botanical Name: Lonicera

USDA Zone: 7-10

Honeysuckle is a type of climbing plant with fragrant flowers in white, pink, or yellow shades. It is often grown on trellises or other supports and can be used to add height and fragrance to gardens. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

60. Bluebells

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Botanical Name: Hyacinthoides non-scripta

USDA Zone: 3-8

Bluebells are bulb plants with delicate, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of blue or pink in the spring. They are one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants and are often used in woodland gardens or as a ground cover.

61. Hibiscus

Botanical Name: Hibiscus

USDA Zone: 7-11

Hibiscus is a shrub with large, showy flowers that come in shades of pink, red, or white. It is often used in gardens to add color and attract hummingbirds.

62. Heuchera

Botanical Name: Heuchera

USDA Zone: 4-9

Heuchera is a perennial plant with attractive foliage in various colors, including green, red, and purple. It is often used in gardens to add texture and is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants.

63. Apricot Mallow

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Botanical Name: Sphaeralcea ambigua

USDA Zone: 6-10

Apricot Mallow is a perennial plant with bright orange or pink flowers that bloom in the summer. It is often used in gardens to add color and attract beneficial insects. It is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants you can grow.

64. Vinca

sylvangardenslandscape

Botanical Name: Vinca minor

USDA Zone: 4-9

Another of the Best Deer Resistant Plants, the Vinca is a low-growing plant with glossy, dark green leaves and delicate, blue-purple flowers. It is often used as a ground cover in shady areas and is easy to care for.

65. Weigela

heydensgardens

Botanical Name: Weigela florida

USDA Zone: 4-8

Weigela is one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants and is a shrub with showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in shades of pink or white. It is often used in gardens to add color and texture and can be grown in containers or as a hedge.

66. Wild Ginger

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Gabriela Beres/Shutterstock

Botanical Name: Asarum canadense

USDA Zone: 7-11

Wild Ginger is a low-growing plant with heart-shaped leaves and small, inconspicuous flowers, regarded by many as one of the Best Deer Resistant Plants. It is often used as a ground cover in shady areas and is a low-maintenance plant.

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