Deer resistant versus deer proof
No annual is completely deer proof. “Deer resistant” means deer tend to avoid a plant when other food is available. In a hard winter, a drought or an area with many deer, they may eat nearly anything. Treat any list as a guide, and watch what happens in your own yard. Local extension offices often publish lists based on regional experience.
Young, newly planted annuals are often more vulnerable than established ones, because they are tender and freshly watered.
Why deer skip some annuals
Plants deer usually avoid tend to have one or more of these traits:
- Strong scent, such as marigolds and many herbs.
- Fuzzy or rough leaves, such as dusty miller.
- Bitter or toxic compounds, such as nicotiana and annual vinca.
Plants with toxins can also be harmful to pets or children, so consider your household before choosing.
Full-sun annuals
These are frequently listed as deer resistant:
- Marigolds (Tagetes): Strong scent, easy from seed.
- Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus): Commonly listed as resistant.
- Ageratum (floss flower): Fuzzy blue or white flowers.
- Dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima): Silver, felted foliage.
- Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana): Fragrant, often at night. It is toxic.
- Zinnias: Rough leaves; often bypassed, though deer sometimes sample them.
- Mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea): Aromatic foliage and spikes.
- Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus): Glossy leaves, suited to heat. It is toxic if eaten.
- Cosmos: Airy, feathery foliage.
A note on lantana. It is often named on these lists, but common lantana (Lantana camara) is considered invasive in warm regions such as Florida. In those places choose a native lantana or another plant, or buy sterile cultivars as advised by local extension.
Part-shade annuals
- Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima): Scented, low and good for edges.
- Begonias: Reports are mixed (see below).
- Coleus: Foliage plant. Some deer eat it, so test on a small scale.
Native annual options
Most annuals sold in garden centers are not North American natives, but a few native annuals fit the same role and support pollinators:
- Blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella): Sunny, daisy-like and drought tolerant; many gardeners report that deer leave it alone.
- Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): Easy from seed in sun; see is coreopsis native for species details.
- Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata): A native annual legume with yellow flowers for bees.
- California poppy (Eschscholzia californica): A West Coast native, generally avoided by deer.
Check that each is native to your own region. Annual sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) support wildlife but are often eaten by deer, so do not count on them in deer areas.
Begonias, snapdragons and poppies
- Are begonias deer resistant? Opinions differ. Wax begonias are sometimes listed as resistant, while tuberous begonias are frequently reported to be browsed. Expect mixed results.
- Are snapdragons deer resistant? They are commonly listed as resistant, though no plant is guaranteed.
- Are poppies deer resistant? Poppies, including California poppy, are commonly described as resistant. Some contain compounds that deer generally avoid.
What can I plant in spring?
For spring planting, sow marigolds, zinnias, cosmos and blanket flower once frost has passed. Hardy annuals such as snapdragons and sweet alyssum can go in earlier, in cool conditions.
Protecting annuals
In the garden:
- Use fencing high enough to deter deer if pressure is high.
- Plant resistant annuals around the edges and more tempting plants near the house.
- Rotate or add strong-scented companions.
- Repellent sprays may help, though they need reapplication after rain.
In containers:
- Place pots near doors or on elevated porches.
- Choose scented or fuzzy-leaved plants for container displays.
FAQ
Do perennials and shrubs face the same issues? Yes. For longer-lived plants, see our plants for zone 4a guide, which covers hardy natives and screening, and flowering shrubs for North Florida.