While no plant is deer proof, many plants might be 'rarely damaged' and 'seldom severely damaged' by deer.
Take heart gardeners, there are many plants that deer are less likely to eat due to their taste, texture, or smell.
Here is a ranking of some of the most deer-resistant plants, from highly resistant to moderately resistant. Latin names have been included so you can be find the exact plant at the nursery or online, should you wish to give it a try in your garden.
For the best results, consider combining these deer-resistant plants with physical barriers, repellents, and other deer deterrent strategies.
A very large, comprehensive list of plants, grasses, and shrubs that deer may or may not like is here.
Highly Deer-Resistant Plants
Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
Description: Bright, cheerful flowers that bloom in early spring.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Toxic bulbs and leaves.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Description: Aromatic, purple flowering perennial.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Strong fragrance and slightly bitter taste.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Description: Fern-like foliage with clusters of small flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Bitter taste and pungent scent.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Description: Tall spikes of tubular flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Toxicity.
Poppies (Papaver spp.)
Description: Colorful, delicate flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Bitter taste and toxicity.
Moderately Deer-Resistant Plants
Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Description: Spiky flowers in a variety of colors.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Strong scent and slightly bitter taste.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Description: Woody stems with silvery foliage and lavender-blue flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Aromatic foliage.
Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
Description: Large, daisy-like flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Prickly stems and rough leaves.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Description: Vibrant, spiky flowers and aromatic foliage.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Strong minty scent.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Description: Bright, daisy-like flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Bitter taste and slightly rough texture.
Least Deer-Resistant (Still Generally Avoided)
Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Description: Soft, fuzzy, silver foliage.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Texture and slightly bitter taste.
Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
Description: Fragrant, purple-blue flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Strong scent.
Allium (Allium spp.)
Description: Ornamental onions with globe-shaped flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Onion-like smell and taste.
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Description: Unique, bell-shaped flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Mild toxicity and slightly bitter taste.
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum spp.)
Description: Spiky flowers in a variety of colors.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Slight bitterness and unique flower shape.
Here is a ranking of some of the most deer-resistant plants, from highly resistant to moderately resistant. Latin names have been included so you can be find the exact plant at the nursery or online, should you wish to give it a try in your garden.
For the best results, consider combining these deer-resistant plants with physical barriers, repellents, and other deer deterrent strategies.
A very large, comprehensive list of plants, grasses, and shrubs that deer may or may not like is here.
Highly Deer-Resistant Plants
Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
Description: Bright, cheerful flowers that bloom in early spring.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Toxic bulbs and leaves.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Description: Aromatic, purple flowering perennial.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Strong fragrance and slightly bitter taste.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Description: Fern-like foliage with clusters of small flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Bitter taste and pungent scent.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Description: Tall spikes of tubular flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Toxicity.
Poppies (Papaver spp.)
Description: Colorful, delicate flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Bitter taste and toxicity.
Moderately Deer-Resistant Plants
Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Description: Spiky flowers in a variety of colors.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Strong scent and slightly bitter taste.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Description: Woody stems with silvery foliage and lavender-blue flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Aromatic foliage.
Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
Description: Large, daisy-like flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Prickly stems and rough leaves.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Description: Vibrant, spiky flowers and aromatic foliage.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Strong minty scent.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Description: Bright, daisy-like flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Bitter taste and slightly rough texture.
Least Deer-Resistant (Still Generally Avoided)
Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Description: Soft, fuzzy, silver foliage.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Texture and slightly bitter taste.
Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
Description: Fragrant, purple-blue flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Strong scent.
Allium (Allium spp.)
Description: Ornamental onions with globe-shaped flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Onion-like smell and taste.
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Description: Unique, bell-shaped flowers.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Mild toxicity and slightly bitter taste.
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum spp.)
Description: Spiky flowers in a variety of colors.
Why Deer Avoid Them: Slight bitterness and unique flower shape.
The plants above are known to be less appealing to deer, but keep in mind that in times of food scarcity, deer will eat ANY plants and even trees. Additionally, local deer populations may have different preferences, and some young deer may 'browse' gardens while learning what not to eat.