Last Updated on November 2, 2023 by Aaron von Frank

Want to create a deer-proof garden? Utilizing deer-resistant plants can help! In this guide, you’ll find out which edible, ornamental, and native plants deer don’t like.

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In our article Dad’s trick: how to keep deer out of your garden or yard, we detail a trick my dad taught us to effectively keep local whitetail deer populations out of our garden beds, plus six other tips you can use to keep deer from destroying your plants. 

One of the six additional tips is using deer-resistant plants, which is the subject of this article. 

What is a deer-resistant plant? 

First, let’s clarify what we mean when we say “deer-resistant plant.” Our definition: A plant whose parts (foliage, flowers, stems, fruit, roots, etc) are unpalatable and/or toxic to deer. 

That definition doesn’t mean hungry deer (especially a herd of deer with limited food resources) won’t ever take a bite out of the plant. It simply means deer are very unlikely to forage the plant to the extent that it causes considerable damage or death.

Location and USDA hardiness zones

This is not a book, it’s an article. As such, we can not provide an exhaustive list of every plant on earth that is deer-resistant. Instead, we do our best to focus on common plants grown and used in food gardens and ornamental landscapes in the United States.

As you start curating new plants for inclusion in your deer-proof garden, you may need to make sure a particular plant will grow well in your location and hardiness zone. 

GUIDE: Edible, ornamental, and native deer-resistant plants

Some people want edible plants. Others prefer purely ornamental plants. Still others value native plants above all other factors. And sometimes there may even be an overlap between all three categories! 

As such, we’ve divided our deer-resistant plant lists into three categories:

1. edible,
2. ornamental, and
3. native plants.

We’ve also provided extra notes where applicable to help you decide whether a plant is right for you. Let’s dive in!

Section I. EDIBLE deer-resistant plants

To help you better find deer-proof plants for your edible gardening needs, we’ve divided the lists into herbs, fruit, veggies, and “other” (which we’ll explain when you get there). Yes, it’s possible to have vegetable gardens that don’t become a deer buffet.  

A. HERBS

Let’s start with the simplest way to select edible deer-proof plants: choose herbs.

Why don’t deer eat herbs? Because these intensely flavored and highly aromatic plants that humans use to flavor their food have a smell and taste that are off-putting to deer.

Deer-proof herbs include:

1. Alliums (any onion-family plant ranging from garlic to onion chives to bulb onions)

2. Anise hyssop

3. Basil

4. Bee balm / monarda / bergamot 

5. Catnip (related: How to use catnip as mosquito repellent; interview with the scientists)

6. Cilantro/coriander (Related: Green coriander – tips & recipes for a secret ingredient)

7. Dill

8. Fennel

9. Ginger

10. Lavender

11. Lemon balm

12. Lemongrass (related: Guide to growing lemongrass)

13. Mint (Mentha spp.)

14. Mountain mint (native Pycnanthemum spp.)

15. Nasturtium (mostly used for gorgeous edible flowers)

16. Oregano

17. Parsley

18. Rosemary

19. Rue

20. Sage

21. *Salvia (*be selective because some species of salvia are not edible)

22. Shiso/perilla

23. *Sorrel (*Rumex species, not wood sorrel)

24. Tarragon

25. Thyme

26. Turmeric (related: How to grow organic ginger and turmeric anywhere)

Important note: These herbs protect themselves, but they won’t keep deer from eating other edible plants growing nearby! Claims that herbs act as a forcefield for your entire garden are untrue. Yes, we know this from lots of personal experience.  

B. Deer-proof FRUIT plants

Botanically speaking, all the plants listed below produce “fruit,” even though a few of the fruits listed (such as eggplants) aren’t commonly considered fruit.

1. Aronia (related: How to grow or forage Aronia melanocarpa) 

2. Citrus (related: How to grow citrus in pots in any climate zone)

3. Cucumbers

4. Figs – Deer may taste young fig leaves, but they usually won’t continue to eat the plant after sampling it since the rough leaves, thick latex, and flavor of fig leaves is undesirable. They usually don’t eat the fruit either.

5. Eggplants

6. Goumi berries (related: How to grow and eat goumi berries)

7. Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) – Many varieties have wonderful edible fruit; very disease-resistant trees with gorgeous flowers. (related: How to grow, forage, and eat kousa dogwoods) 

8. Pawpaw trees (Asimina triloba) – Native to the eastern United States. Deer won’t eat the foliage of pawpaw trees, but they do enjoy eating the ripe fruit. (related: How to grow pawpaw trees organically)

9. Pineapple guavas (related: How to grow pineapple guavas in-ground in cooler climates),

10. Pomegranates – Some people report mild deer damage to their pomegranate foliage where deer populations are very high, but we’ve never had deer eat ours.)

11. Serviceberries – A native plant whose fruit tastes like a cross between peaches and blueberries. Some people report mild damage, but our serviceberry shrubs have been unaffected by deer. Serviceberry species and varieties vary in size from small shrubs to small trees, which would mature to a height out of deer range. (Related: How to grow and forage serviceberries)

C. Deer-proof vegetable plants

1. Arugula (both annual and perennial species)

2. Artichokes and cardoons

3. Florida betony (related: How to grow Florida betony in pots | Potentially invasive, so only grow in containers!)

4. Prickly pear cactuses – The pads (aka nopales) can be eaten as a veggie and some prickly pear varieties produce excellent fruit. This plant is a great addition to xeriscapes and/or rock gardens. (related: How to grow and eat prickly pear cactuses)

5. Taro – Edible corms/roots make a good food crop; giant showy leaves are not eaten by deer.

6. Rhubarb

7. Stinging nettle – Yes, it’s edible and delicious! (See: How to grow and use stinging nettle)

D. Other edible deer-proof plants

We also grow two caffeine-producing, deer proof plants that don’t make sense to include in the other edible categories:

1. Tea camellia (Camellia sinensis) – A perennial native to southeastern China that grows in USDA hardiness zones 7-9. Full sun or shade, but to make certain types of tea (like matcha) plants are shaded, thus boosting caffeine levels. 

2. Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) – A caffeine-producing tea plant native to the southeastern United States, which grows in zones 7-9. We like yaupon tea as much if not more than tea camellia. 

For home landscapes and gardens, dwarf yaupon varieties are best. Plants thrive in full sun and moist well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

After over a decade of growing them, neither of these plant species has ever received a nibble from the abundant deer perusing our property. (Related: How to grow your own caffeine or discover it in your yard) 

Section 2. ORNAMENTAL deer-resistant plants

Since we’re big advocates of edible organic landscapes, we should first say that any of the edible plants listed in the prior sections can also make attractive (aka ornamental) landscape plants, especially flowering herbs. 

However, below is a list of popular, deer-resistant ornamental plants, ordered from A – Z. Since you may not be familiar with some of these plants, we’ve also included a few extra notes, including their edibility to humans. 

Arum (Arum spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Part to full shade.
• Description: Arum plants are herbaceous perennials with large, arrow-shaped leaves and unique hood-like structures called spathes, which surround the flowers. Our favorite arum is Dracunculus vulgaris since it grows cartoonishly large black-purple flowers. Unfortunately, the flowers are intended to attract flies (not bees) so they smell like rotten meat. Not ideal for a cut flower you’ll want to bring indoors, but it has other charms such as being deer-resistant. 
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, don’t eat.
• Native To: Terrestrial arum species are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. There are some aquatic arum species native to North America. 

Bachelor’s button (Cyanus segetum syn. Centaurea cyanus)

• Hardiness Zones: Bachelor’s button is typically grown as an annual in various climates but can be perennial in some warmer regions. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 2-11.
• Perennial or Annual: Annual, although it can behave as a short-lived perennial in some environments.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Bachelor’s button, also known as cornflower, is an upright annual plant that reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet. It features narrow, lance-shaped leaves and produces solitary, vibrant blue (though other colors are available through breeding) flower heads. The flowers resemble classic button shapes and are commonly used in floral arrangements.
• Edibility to Humans: We also enjoy bachelor’s buttons for their edible flowers. 
• Native To: Bachelor’s button is native to Europe, but it is widely cultivated and naturalized in many parts of the world.

Baptisia, Wild or False Indigo (Baptisia spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to light shade.
• Description: Baptisia plants are herbaceous perennials with pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, yellow, or white, borne on tall spikes above attractive foliage.
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, don’t eat.
• Native To: North America.

Barberry (Berberis spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to part shade.
• Description: Barberry shrubs have spiny branches and small yellow flowers that develop into colorful berries. They vary in size from compact to medium-sized.
• Edibility to humans: Barberry produces edible fruit.
• Native To: Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Bellflower (Campanula spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species, typically zones 3-9.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to part sun.
• Description: Bellflowers have bell-shaped flowers in various colors including blue, purple, pink, and white. They come in different sizes, from low-growing ground covers to taller varieties.
• Edibility to Humans: Species vary in edibility. May also have medicinal uses.
• Native To: Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Bergenia (Bergenia spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Part shade to full sun.
• Description: Bergenia, also known as elephant’s ears, form clumps of large, leathery leaves and produce pink or purple flowers on tall stems.
• Edibility to humans: Not edible.
• Native To: Central Asia.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species, typically zones 3-10.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Blanket flowers have daisy-like flowers with red or yellow petals and a central disk. They grow 1 to 3 feet tall and are known for their long bloom period throughout the summer and fall.
• Edibility to Humans: Not a great edible, but it is used medicinally. 
• Native To: Native to North and South America.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)

• Hardiness Zones: 3-9.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Part shade to full shade.
• Description: Bleeding Heart plants have fern-like foliage and arching stems with heart-shaped flowers in pink, white, or red.
• Edibility: Toxic, don’t eat.
• Native To: Asia and North America.

Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Part shade to full sun.
• Description: Boxwood shrubs are evergreen with small, glossy leaves. They vary in size from low, rounded forms to taller, upright varieties. Perhaps the most common landscape plant in our area (Southeast US). Deer usually avoid boxwood due to its strong aroma and leathery leaves. 
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, don’t eat.
• Native To: Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.

Butterfly Bush / Buddleia (Buddleja spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Butterfly Bushes are large shrubs with long, arching flower spikes that attract butterflies. Flowers come in various colors, including purple, pink, white, and yellow.
• Edibility to humans: Not edible.
• Native To: Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Caryopteris / Bluebeard (Caryopteris spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Caryopteris shrubs have aromatic leaves and produce clusters of blue, purple, or white flowers in late summer.
• Edibility: Not edible.
• Native To: Eastern and Southern Asia.

Celosia (Celosia spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Celosia plants are usually grown as annuals but can be perennial in USDA hardiness zones 10-12. They’re frost-sensitive and prefer warm temps.
• Perennial or Annual: Typically grown as annuals in most regions, but they can be perennial in tropical climates.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to light shade.
• Description: Celosia plants come in various sizes, from compact varieties around 6-12 inches tall to larger types reaching up to 3 feet in height. They have bright, colorful, and unique flower heads that can resemble plumes, cockscombs, or spikes. Flower colors include shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, and purple. It’s fun (at least it has been for us) to start with a few varieties, let them hybridize, then form novel wild combinations of colors and shapes each year. 
• Edibility to Humans: Celosia is in the amaranth family. Like amaranth, celosia also has edible leaves and seeds. 
• Native To: Various celosia species are native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Cinquefoil / Potentilla (Potentilla spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to part shade.
• Description: Cinquefoil plants have pinnate leaves and produce colorful, saucer-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or pink.
• Edibility to humans: Not edible.
• Native To: Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia.

Cleome (Cleome spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Annual or perennial depending on the species.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Cleome, also known as spider flower, produces tall spikes of spider-like flowers in white, pink, or purple. It has palmate leaves and a bushy growth habit.
• Edibility: Not edible.
• Native To: Americas, Africa, and Australia.

Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Part shade to full sun, depending on the species.
• Description: Columbine plants have delicate, spurred flowers in various colors, including blue, purple, pink, white, and yellow, with distinctive lobed leaves.
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, do not eat.
• Native To: North America, Europe, and Asia.

Coral Bells (Heuchera)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species, typically zones 4-9.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Partial shade to full sun.
• Description: Coral bells have colorful foliage and delicate, bell-shaped flowers on slender stems. They grow 1 to 3 feet tall and are valued for their attractive leaves.
• Edibility to Humans: Not typically consumed, but leaves are edible.
• Native To: Native to North America.

Coreopsis / Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial or annual, depending on the species.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Coreopsis plants have daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or red, with finely divided leaves. They vary in height from low-growing to tall.
• Edibility to humans: Edible, but not great. Oddly, our son developed a taste for unopened coreopsis flower buds, which have potential to be pickled like capers.  
• Native To: North America, Central America, and South America.

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: 3-9, depending on the species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to part shade.
• Description: Spring ephemeral. Daffodils have trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors, including yellow, white, and orange, with long, narrow leaves. Toxic to deer and also great for stopping voles from eating your fruit and nut tree roots!
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, do not eat.
• Native To: Europe and North Africa.

Daphne (Daphne spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Part shade to full sun, depending on the species.
• Description: Daphne shrubs have fragrant flowers in white, pink, or purple, often accompanied by glossy leaves. They are compact and low-growing.
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, don’t eat.
• Native To: Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species, typically zones 3-9.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Dianthus have small, fragrant flowers with fringed petals. They grow 6 inches to 2 feet tall and come in various colors including pink, red, white, and purple. 
• Edibility to Humans: Some species are edible and used in culinary applications, providing a mild clove-like, slightly bitter flavor. We have a few patches of mounding pink-flowered dianthus in our yard whose flowers we enjoy eating in the spring. Eat them just after opening for best flavor and texture.
• Native To: Native to Europe and Asia.

Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)

• Hardiness Zones: 8-10.
• Perennial/Annual: Usually grown as an annual.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Dusty Miller has silvery, deeply lobed leaves, making it prized for its foliage rather than its flowers. It forms low mounds.
• Edibility to humans: Not edible.
• Native To: Mediterranean region.

Echinacea / Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species, typically zones 3-9.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Echinacea plants are herbaceous perennials with daisy-like flowers and prominent central cones. They grow 2 to 4 feet tall and come in various colors including purple, pink, white, and orange. Our native purple coneflower is probably the most popular summer flower in our yard for butterflies. (*Note: The common name coneflower is used for both echinacea and rudbeckia, which causes confusion.)
• Edibility to humans: Echinacea isn’t usually used for food, but it has a long history of use as a medicinal plant and has a lot of modern research to support its traditional medicinal uses. 
• Native To: Native to North America.

Euphorbia / Spurge (Euphorbia spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to part shade, depending on the species.
• Description: Euphorbia plants have diverse forms and produce small flowers surrounded by colorful bracts. Some species have milky sap.
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, don’t eat.
• Native To: Worldwide, with many species in Africa and the Americas.

Ferns (many species)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Part to full shade.
• Description: Ferns come in various sizes and forms, with delicate, often lacy fronds. They do not produce flowers but reproduce via spores. Great for shade gardens.
• Edibility to humans: Most fern species are not edible. However, Ostrich ferns, (Matteuccia struthiopteris) produce an edible part: the immature, furled frond, aka fiddlehead.
• Native To: Worldwide, with diverse species in different regions.

Floss Flower (Ageratum spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: 2-11, depending on the species.
• Perennial/Annual: Usually grown as an annual.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to part shade.
• Description: Floss Flower produces fluffy, button-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white, forming compact mounds.
• Edibility to humans: Poisonous, don’t eat.
• Native To: Americas.

Four o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)

• Hardiness Zones: Four o’clock plants are typically hardy in USDA zones 7-10, but they can be grown as annuals in cooler climates. We’re in zone 7B and the tubers easily overwinter here. In cooler climates, you could also dig the tubers after first frost and store them indoors until the following spring. 
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial but grown as an annual in cooler climates.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to partial shade.
• Description: Four o’clocks are a bushy, low-growing herbaceous perennial that reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet during the warm seasons. They produce trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colors including red, pink, yellow, white, and bi-colors. The flowers open in late afternoon (around 4 o’clock, hence the name) and remain open overnight, closing in the morning. A favorite with hawkmoths (at dusk) in our garden. Tolerant of pretty much any soil type.
• Edibility to Humans: Toxic, do not eat.
• Native To: Four o’clock plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, including Peru and Argentina.

Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: 4-9, depending on the species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to part shade.
• Description: Forsythia shrubs have bright yellow flowers that cover the branches in early spring before the leaves emerge. When we see forsythia flowers blooming in February, it cheers us up because we know it means spring is on the way! Shrubs are usually medium-sized and kept trimmed to a hedge height of 3-5′. 
• Edibility to humans: Blossoms technically edible, but bitter and unpalatable. Some people make jelly with them.
• Native To: Asia.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

• Hardiness Zones: 4-8.
• Perennial/Annual: Biennial (usually grown as a biennial).
• Preferred Light Levels: Part shade to full sun.
• Description: Foxglove plants have tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, or yellow, with fuzzy leaves forming a basal rosette. The showy flowers are a hit with our native bumblebees. 
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, do not eat.
• Native To: Europe.

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)

• Hardiness Zones: 8-11, although some varieties can tolerate zone 7 with protection.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial
• Preferred Light Levels: Gardenias prefer partial to full sun.
• Description: Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub known for its glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant, white, or creamy-white flowers. One of the best smelling flowers ever! Plants typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall.
• Edibility to humans: While gardenia plants are not typically considered edible, we love using the fragrant flowers in teas and fermentations. 
• Native To: Tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australasia, and Oceania.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

• Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-8.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial. Ginkgo are long-lived deciduous trees.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to partial shade.
• Description: Ginkgo trees are large, deciduous trees with distinctive fan-shaped leaves with a fascinating, ancient history. They can grow to a height of 50-80 feet or more and have a width of 30-40 feet. The leaves turn a vibrant golden-yellow in the fall.  
• Edibility to Humans: Many parts of the ginkgo plant have and continue to be used medicinally. Female ginkgo trees produce a fleshy orange fruit about the size of a cherry. It’s inedible and smells awful. However, inside is a soft, green “nut” that is revered in Asian cuisine. (It has to be cooked before eating.) You need a male and female tree to get “nuts” and you’ll have to wait 20 years before they produce, so ginkgo is not a high-yielding food crop for the impatient. (See: Ginkgo nuts – how to find, process, and eat.)
• Native To: Ginkgo biloba is native to China and is considered a living fossil, since it is the only living species in the division Ginkgophyta, all others being extinct.

Hellebore / Lenten Rose (Helleborus spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: 4-9, depending on the species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Part to full shade.
• Description: Hellebore plants have leathery leaves and produce cup-shaped flowers in various colors, including white, green, pink, or purple. A gorgeous shade tolerant plant that flowers in winter in our landscape, but it can spread rapidly via seed dispersal, so plan to remove young seedlings that escape beds.
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, don’t eat.
• Native To: Europe and Asia.

Irises (Iris spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species, but generally zones 3-9.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to light shade.
• Description: Irises are perennial plants with sword-like leaves and large, showy flowers. The flowers come in a wide range of colors including shades of blue, purple, yellow, white, and bi-colors. They vary in height, with some dwarf varieties growing only a few inches tall, while others can reach up to 4 feet in height. We have a few different species of irises growing around our property (including native ones) and deer never touch them.
• Edibility to humans: Toxic, do not eat.
• Native To: Irises are native to various regions around the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa.

Japanese Andromeda aka Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica)

• Hardiness Zones: 5-8.
• Perennial/Annual: Evergreen shrub (perennial).
• Preferred Light Levels: Part shade to full sun.
• Description: Japanese Andromeda is an evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and drooping clusters of bell-shaped flowers in white, pink, or red.
• Edibility to humans: Poisonous, don’t eat.
• Native To: Eastern Asia.

Japanese toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta)

• Hardiness Zones: Japanese toad lilies are hardy in USDA zones 4-9.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Partial to full shade.
• Description: Japanese toad lilies are clump-forming perennials that grow about 1-3 feet in height. They have lance-shaped leaves and unique, orchid-like flowers that appear in late summer to early fall. The flowers are typically white with purple spots and have a delicate, exotic appearance.
• Edibility to Humans: Not edible. 
• Native To: Japanese toad lilies are native to Japan, Korea, and China.

Juniper (Juniperus spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Evergreen shrub (perennial).
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Juniper shrubs are evergreen with needle-like or scale-like leaves and produce small cones. They vary in size from ground covers to tall trees. 
• Edible to humans: Our local eastern red cedar trees are actually a juniper species (Juniperus virginiana), and produce small purple “berries” (technically cones) which can be eaten in small quantities. They pack an amazing flavor, indistinguishable from the European juniper berries used to flavor gin. Unfortunately, Eastern red cedar trees are also a host for cedar apple rust, so don’t plant them if you’re growing fruit trees like apples and pears, which are susceptible to cedar apple rust.  
• Native To: Worldwide, with a wide distribution in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

• Hardiness Zones: 4-8.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Lamb’s Ear leaves have a soft, velvety fuzzy texture and a beautiful silver color that makes them pop in a landscape. The plants form low-growing clumps which produces 2-3′ tall spikes of small, purple-pink flowers. 
• Edible to humans: Lamb’s ear leaves are actually edible for humans, offering a pleasant, mint-like flavor. Our son loves them, but most people don’t use the plant for food. 
• Native To: Turkey, Iran.

Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)

• Hardiness Zones: 4-8.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to partial shade.
• Description: Lupines have tall spikes of pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, yellow, and white. Flower stalks can grow to 4 feet tall.
• Edibility to Humans: Don’t eat. 
• Native To: Native to North America.

Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies by species.
• Perennial/Annual: Annual or perennial, depending on the species.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Marigolds have aromatic foliage and produce brightly colored, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or red. All varieties of marigold are deer-resistant.
• Edible to humans: Marigold flowers are edible to humans. Signet marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia) produces the best edible flowers. 
• Native To: Americas.

Mexican primrose (Oenothera speciosa)

• Hardiness Zones: Mexican primrose is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to partial shade.
• Description: Mexican primrose, also known as pink evening primrose, is a low-growing perennial plant reaching a height of 6-12 inches. It has lance-shaped leaves and produces vibrant pink, cup-shaped flowers that bloom profusely in late spring and early summer. Plants die back by late summer, but run vigorously underground and can take over beds if not pulled or maintained. 
• Edibility to Humans: The leaves are mild and good (similar to lettuce) in salads in late winter-early spring before the plants start developing flowers. The flowers are technically edible, but bitter.  
• Native To: Mexican primrose is native to the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America.

Ninebark (Physocarpus spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: 3-9, depending on the species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to part shade.
• Description: Ninebark shrubs have peeling bark and produce clusters of small flowers in white or pink, followed by ornamental fruit capsules.
• Edible to humans: Not edible.
• Native To: North America and Asia.

Peony (Paeonia spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: 3-8, depending on the species.
• Perennial/Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to part shade.
• Description: Peonies have large, showy, often fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, red, or yellow, with glossy, lobed leaves. One of The Tyrant’s absolute favorite flowers!
• Edible to humans: Peony flowers are edible for people. 
• Native To: Europe, Asia, and North America.

Poppies (Papaver spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Poppies can vary widely in hardiness depending on the species and variety. Generally, they can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, but specific requirements vary.
• Perennial or Annual: Poppies include both annual and perennial varieties. Some are short-lived perennials, while others are grown as annuals.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Poppies are herbaceous plants with colorful, papery flowers. They come in various sizes, from small 1-2 feet tall varieties to larger varieties that can reach 3-4 feet in height. Flowers can be single or double-petaled and come in a range of colors, including red, orange, pink, white, and purple.
• Edibility to Humans: Some species of poppies, such as Papaver somniferum (opium poppy), have seeds that are used in culinary applications, but it’s crucial to note that opium poppies are also the source of opium and its derivatives and are highly regulated. It’s important to know the specific variety and its legal and edible uses before growing or consuming.
• Native To: Poppies are native to various regions in Europe, Asia, and North America. Different species have different native ranges.

Rudbeckia / coneflower / black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Rudbeckia plants are generally hardy in USDA zones 3-9, depending on the species and variety.
• Perennial or Annual: Most Rudbeckia species are perennial, though there are some annual varieties.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Rudbeckia, commonly known as coneflowers or black-eyed Susans, are sturdy, drought-tolerant plants. They typically grow from 1 to 3 feet in height, with vibrant yellow or orange petals and a dark central cone. Johnny’s seeds offers our favorite rudbeckias, the Cherokee Sunset mix. (*Note: As mentioned in the echinacea description, the common name “coneflower” is used for both echinacea and rudbeckia, which causes confusion.)
• Edibility to Humans: While some Native American tribes historically used certain Rudbeckia species for medicinal purposes, the plants are not commonly consumed today. It’s important to note that edibility can vary among species and should be confirmed before consumption.
• Native To: Rudbeckia species are native to the United States and Canada.

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)

• Hardiness Zones: Zones 4-9.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to partial shade.
• Description: Shasta daisies have large, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. They grow 1 to 3 feet tall and are popular for their classic appearance and long blooming season.
• Edibility to Humans: Not typically consumed, but petals are edible. 
• Native To: A hybrid plant developed in America by Luther Burbank from European natives.

Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria)

• Hardiness Zones: 4-9.
• Perennial/Annual: Deciduous shrub (perennial).
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Smokebush has oval leaves and produces large, feathery plumes of flowers that resemble smoke. Foliage can be purple, green, or a mix of both.
• Edible to humans: Not edible.
• Native To: Southern Europe, Asia.

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

• Hardiness Zones: 4-11 (usually grown as an annual in colder zones).
• Perennial or Annual: Typically grown as an annual.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to light shade.
• Description: Snapdragons are colorful, upright flowers with a unique shape resembling a dragon’s mouth. They come in various colors and heights, making them popular in gardens and flower arrangements. 
• Edibility: Snapdragons aren’t just beautiful, you can eat them too.
• Native To: Native to the Mediterranean region and North Africa.

Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to light shade.
• Description: Stonecrop, or sedum, includes a wide variety of succulent plants with fleshy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers. They come in different sizes, from ground covers to tall, upright plants.
• Edible to humans: Leaves of some sedum species are edible and used in salads, stir fries, etc. Other species are not edible.
• Native To: Native to Europe, Asia, and North America.

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

• Hardiness Zones: Zones 5-9; typically grown as an annual in colder zones.
• Perennial or Annual: Usually grown as an annual.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to partial shade.
• Description: Sweet alyssum plants have small clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers in white, pink, or purple. They form low mounds and are often used as ground covers or in containers.
• Edibility to Humans: Good edible flowers.
• Native To: Native to the Mediterranean region.

Verbena (Verbena officinalis) 

• Hardiness Zones: 5-9.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial, but often grown as an annual in colder regions.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Verbena plants have clusters of small, fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, or red. They are low-growing and spread quickly, making them excellent ground covers or cascading plants in containers.
• Edible to humans: Leaves can be used to make a bitter, medicinal tea.
• Native To: Native to Europe and Asia.

Weigela (Weigela spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: 4-8.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun to light shade.
• Description: Weigela shrubs produce tubular flowers in various colors, including pink, red, and white. They are medium-sized shrubs, usually growing 4-6 feet tall, and are often used for borders or hedges.
• Edible to humans: Not poisonous but not good.
• Native To: Native to eastern Asia.

Winter Aconite aka Buttercup (Eranthis spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species, typically zones 4-7.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Partial shade to full shade.
• Description: Winter aconites have bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers with a ruffled collar of green leaves. They are low-growing plants, reaching 3 to 6 inches in height.
• Edibility to Humans: All parts of the plant are highly toxic and should not be consumed.
• Native To: Native to Europe and Asia.

Yarrow (Achillea spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: 3-9.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Yarrow plants are drought-tolerant and feature fern-like leaves (similar to carrot leaves) and flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers in colors such as white, yellow, pink, or red. The flower stalks/clusters grow up to 3′ tall.
• Edible to humans: Some people use yarrow as a medicinal herb or edible green, but we’re not fond of the taste. We grow yarrow because it creates phenomenal habitat for small predatory insects and pollinators. 
• Native To: Native to Europe and Asia, but widely naturalized in North America.

Yucca (Yucca spp.)

• Hardiness Zones: Varies depending on the species.
• Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun.
• Description: Yucca plants are characterized by their rosette of stiff, sword-shaped leaves and tall spikes of white or cream-colored flowers. They vary in size, with some species forming small clumps and others growing into tree-like structures. Deer may eat the flowers, but not the hard, sharp leaves. Great plant for hot, dry climates.
• Edible to humans: Some yucca species produce delicious edible flowers and fruit. 
• Native To: Native to North and Central America.

Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

• Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-10. 
• Perennial or Annual: Annual. 
• Preferred Light Levels: Full sun. Zinnias require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering.
• Description: Zinnia elegans is a bushy, upright annual plant that grows 1-3 feet in height. It produces large, vibrant, daisy-like flowers in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, and white. The flowers can be single, semi-double, or double-petaled, and they are excellent for cut flowers and garden borders.
• Edibility to Humans: Zinnias are not typically consumed by humans but the flower petals are edible. They taste similar to marigold petals.
• Native To: Zinnia elegans is native to Mexico, but it has been widely cultivated and naturalized in many parts of North America, Central America, and South America.

Section 3. How to find deer-resistant NATIVE plants

Native plants are generally better-suited to their local environment than non-native plants. Plus, they typically better support native wildlife, as they’ve done for many millennia, serving as host plants, food for pollinators, and more. This makes natives a good choice for ecologically-minded landscaping/gardening. 

Obviously, a “native” plant is a relative term. For us, native means Upstate South Carolina. However, you might not live next door to us, and therefore a plant that’s native for us is a foreigner in your land.

That means you’ll have to do a bit of your own research to find deer-resistant plants that are native to your specific region. 

Need some help? A few helpful resources:

1. Local extension agency

Reach out to your state or county Cooperative Extension Service. This organization is a partnership of the United States Department of Agriculture, the land grant university in your state, and local governments. You can find your nearest extension agency here.  

2. Native plant society

You might also be able to reach out to your local native plant society for support and suggestions. For us, that’s the South Carolina Native Plant Society.

On their website, they have a list of every plant native to our state, categorized by region. We can then use that plant list to research which species have the most deer resistance!

Our native plant society also regularly hosts native plant sales, which are open to the general public.  

3. Native plant nurseries and botanical gardens

In addition to finding out which native plants are deer-resistant, you have to actually get hold of the plants (or seeds) you want. If you don’t have a native plant society, a local native plant nursery and/or a local botanical garden can be a valuable resource for both aims. 

If you live in Upstate South Carolina, check out Clemson University’s South Carolina Botanical Garden. 

4. Native deer-resistant plants to Upstate South Carolina.

Here are some of the deer-resistant plants we grow that are native to our area (many of which have already been detailed in this article):

• columbine
• coral honeysuckle
• coreopsis
• echinacea
• monarda
• mountain mint
• pawpaws
• prickly pear cactus
• native irises (most irises are not native)
• rudbeckia
• serviceberries
• stonecrop (specifically, Sedum ternatum)
• yaupon holly (if you’re a purist, we’re arguably a bit far north for this to be considered native)   

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We hope this article was helpful and informative in your quest to make your garden, landscape, or farm as deer-resistant as possible! If you have some favorite plants that you know are deer-resistant that we left off our lists, please let us know in the comments below.

KIGI,

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• Dad’s trick: how to keep deer out of your garden or yard
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• How to prevent or stop voles from eating your plants
• How to safely kill mosquitos in your yard