We can surely all agree that deer are charming creatures to watch from afar, but they can wreak havoc on our gardens. Yes, seeing deer in your garden makes for delightful photographs, especially with a snowy backdrop, but you won’t be so happy when you see that they’ve eaten all of your vegetables. Thankfully, though, there are certain plants that you can grow that will naturally deter deer due to their fragrances, tastes, and textures. So, get these plants in your garden, and you should be able to keep these cute, albeit pesky creatures away.
Lavender
Starting things off with one of the best plants for deterring deer, lavender’s aromatic oils may smell wonderful to people, but they’re less than appealing to deer. Despite smelling so soothing to humans, deer hate the smell of lavender, so you can plant it around other deet-susceptible plants for a strong defense mechanism.
Sage
You should also consider planting sage in your garden if you have a problem with deer. This sturdy herb also has a scent that deer avoid, yet for humans, it’s perfect for both our kitchens and gardens. Its gray-green leaves and small purple flowers add texture to our outdoor spaces, while its earthy aroma creates a natural deer deterrent. Best of all, sage thrives in full sunlight and requires minimal watering, so it’s one of the most hassle-free deer-deterrents out there.
Daffodils
Yes, daffodils might look delicate, but their bitter taste and toxic properties keep deer away. Even though their bright yellow blooms bring early, delightful spring color to our eyes, their poisonous bulbs make them a serious red flag to deer. So, plant daffodils in clusters for a bold display that will also discourage these animals from browsing around your garden.
Rosemary
Rosemary simply had to make it on this list, as it offers both culinary perks and a strong fragrance that is enough to keep deer at bay. Like sage, it’s very resilient and drought-tolerant, and it thrives in both gardens and pots, too, making it suitable for just about any garden. Better still, you’ll keep the deer away while filling your herb rack with plenty of tasty rosemary, perfect for seasoning french fries and other dishes.
Bee Balm
Bee balm’s vibrant colors and minty fragrance make it a standout plant, and many people claim that it helps deter deer. However, it’s not always fully effective at this latter job; ultimately, it depends on the deer. There’s no denying that it can make a difference, though, so we’d recommend planting some others on this list that are guaranteed to help and then adding some bee balm into the mix for a potential boost.
Russian Sage
Another plant you should grow if you want to keep deer away is Russian sage, which produces tall, airy stems of small lavender flowers. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the delightful scent of Russian sage is horrible to the noses of deer, making it perfect for keeping them away. To make things even better, it’s a hardy perennial that thrives in dry conditions and full sun, and it’s also highly resilient to other pests.
Foxglove
You might assume that foxglove deters foxes, but in reality, it’s best for deterring deer. This is because its towering stalks of bell-shaped flowers are highly toxic, and deer are wise enough to know that they shouldn’t munch on them. Be careful planting this in accessible places if you have pets or children, but otherwise, go wild!
Lamb’s Ear
Yes, the soft, silvery leaves of lamb’s ear may look inviting to us, but its texture discourages deer like crazy. Interestingly, this has nothing to do with taste or scent but texture. Essentially, the fuzzy leaves feel unpleasant for deer to chew, so they tend to steer clear of it–it really is that simple.
Peonies
Peonies bring lush, romantic blooms to the garden that deer generally find unappealing due to their scent and texture. As with bee balm, deer might still take a bite in some rare cases, but a lot of gardeners claim that it works. Ultimately, as long as you plant some other reliable plants from this list, there will be no harm in giving peonies a try, too.
Thyme
Thyme is a highly versatile herb that grows well in both garden beds and containers, but more importantly, it’s highly resistant to deer. This is because its earthy aroma, which enhances savory dishes, is off-putting to them and helps keep them away. Thyme is also drought-tolerant and thrives with minimal care, so there’s really no excuse not to plant it.
Allium
A relative of onions and garlic, allium features globe-like blooms that stand out while repelling deer with their strong smell. Their tall stalks and spherical flowers add dimension to garden beds, so planting allium is a great way to introduce a striking architectural look to your space. Rest assured, deer won’t be interested in it or the plants that it surrounds.
Yarrow
With yarrow, both the feathery leaves and aromatic clusters of tiny flowers are strong repellents against deer. Take a look at them, and you’ll see why deer don’t want to eat them–those feathers would be quite unpleasant to eat! We can’t relate when it comes to hating the aroma, though, as we think it smells glorious.
Chives
Unless you’ve never smelt them before, it shouldn’t be surprising to see chives on this list. While we love them, their strong scent is a major put-off to deer, even though they’d probably enjoy their grassy stalks. Regardless, they won’t touch them, so go ahead and plant some chives around your garden and it will keep the deer away while giving you some fresh produce to add to your favorite dishes.
Catmint
The final plant on this list that we’d recommend for keeping deer away is catmint. As the name suggests, cats find this plant quite captivating, as do gardeners. However, the lovely lavender-blue blooms and minty aroma don’t fit a deer’s preferences. So, plant it around the borders of deer-susceptible plants, and you should get rid of any deer-related problems.