When it comes to cervid - resistant plants , the more or less delude term does n’t mean deer wo n’t eat those plants — it plainly means they prefer to eatotherplants . There is little they wo n’t eat in order not to hunger , especially during drought or early in the growing season when food beginning are scarce .

Deer get about a third of the body of water they take from plants , so they ’ll sometimes turn to eating unusual plant ( yes , even deer - resistant varieties ) just to ward off dehydration .

But while there ’s no such affair as deer - proof plants , thereareplants that deer prefer less than others . peculiar or hungry cervid might sample a bite or two , but find that there are tastier choice elsewhere .

Deer grazing on grass

What kinds of plant life do deer not like to eat ?

Anything with unpalatable characteristic , like bitter flavors or strong smells . Pot marigolds , peony , and heavily fragrant herbs like rosemary and lilac be given to turn them off .

Deer also do n’t wish plant life that find weird or painful on their tongue , like those with coarse , leathery , hairy , prickly , or bristly stems and leave . ( They stay off from the foggy foliage of lamb ’s ears for this reasonableness , and wo n’t go after your ball artichoke plants . )

Forget-me-not flowers

lie with what theydon’tlike is also key in design a garden that helps deter cervid from sure areas where their favorite flora might be growing .

you could interplant deer - repellent change with your annual and perennials to discourage them , but remember that there ’s no avoidingsomedeer damage — the finish is to keep the damage to an acceptable level .

Even the most cervid - resistant kind are vulnerable in the garden , especially in the first few weeks after planting when leave are nitrogen - fat . ( Deer seem to prefer works that have been fertilized to those that have n’t . )

Deer nibbling on leaves from a shrub

Mature plant also tend to brave deer wrong better than newfangled transplants . They do n’t have the young shoots and tender foliage that deer dearest to exhaust , and if they do get snacked , they ’re usually able to recoil back .

To protect new plant , always use deer repellent spray until the plants establish their roots . These are thebest cervid repellentsthat I recommend for both ornamental and eatable gardens .

For more ways to keep deer out of your garden ( safely and humanely ) , check out the five strategies laid out in mydeer - resistant garden guide .

Wisteria vines hanging off a pergola

revealing : If you patronize from my clause or make a purchase through one of my links , I may find mission on some of the products I recommend .

Deer-resistant ground covers

Deer-resistant shrubs

Deer-resistant vines

Deer-resistant trees

Deer-resistant perennials

Deer-resistant annuals

Are there specific plants that deer love to eat?

According to aUniversity of Rhode Island study , sure plants are like deer candy . They ’re the most frequently ( and hard ) damaged in the garden and if you have a choice of what to plant , you certainly do n’t desire to be throw away a liberal buffet to the neighborhood deer .

If you implant any of these varieties in your yard , be prepared to fence and protect them from being wipe out .

Are there fruits and vegetables that deer don’t eat?

In worldwide , deer are repelled by plants with pungent smells , so it helps to engraft highly fragrant herbs ( like rosemary and lavender ) along the edge of your garden as a first step .

( Bonus : These powerfully scentedplants are very attractive to beesand other pollinators , so it ’s a double win for your vegetable garden . )

And unlike other garden pesterer ( like raccoons andopossums ) , cervid are rather lazy . They probably wo n’t dig up up your garden beds to go after your root vegetables , but they ’ll certainly eat the leaves . So while you might drop off yourcarrot tops , the Daucus carota sativa themselves should be secure .

Close-up of pink crape myrtle flowers

These are the comestible industrial plant deer wo n’t eat :

More posts you might find helpful :

View the Web Story onbest deer - immune industrial plant .

Deer lying down in the middle of a garden

Young deer standing in a flower garden

Close-up of orange daylily flowers

Bee landing on a lavender flower