Best Deer-Resistant Groundcovers for Zone 9
Low-growing groundcovers that deer won't eat solve two problems at once: they suppress weeds and eliminate the need for constant replanting after deer damage. These 13 options for Zone 9 stay low and are reliably deer resistant.
🌱 Get Personalized Plant Picks
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll match plants to your exact yard conditions.
Find My Plants →Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata — A vibrant carpet of pink, purple, or white blooms bursts forth in spring, creating stunning ground cover. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.
- Height: 6 inches
- Light: full sun to partial shade
- Zones: zones 3–9 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
Ajuga
Ajuga reptans — Vibrant blue-purple blooms carpet the ground in spring, creating a stunning, low-growing display. This deer-resistant groundcover thrives in USDA zones 3-10 and attracts pollinators while requiring minimal care.
- Height: 10 inches
- Light: partial shade
- Zones: zones 3–10 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
Dianthus
Dianthus deltoides — Vibrant pink blooms with a sweet fragrance light up late spring gardens, adding charm and color. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.
- Height: 12 inches
- Light: full sun
- Zones: zones 3–9
Epimedium
Epimedium x rubrum — Delicate ruby-red blooms appear in spring, adding vibrant color to shady garden spots. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 5-8.
- Height: 12 inches
- Light: partial shade
- Zones: zones 4–9 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
Begonia (Wax)
Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum — Bright, glossy leaves and vibrant pink, red, or white blooms brighten summer gardens with nonstop color. This low-maintenance beauty thrives in shade and is deer resistant, USDA zones 10-11.
- Height: 12 inches
- Light: partial shade
- Zones: zones 2–11
Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Calibrachoa × hybrida — Vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink, purple, and red brighten gardens from spring through fall. This low-maintenance beauty thrives in USDA zones 9-11 and attracts pollinators effortlessly.
- Height: 12 inches
- Light: full sun
- Zones: zones 2–11 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
Vinca minor — Glossy evergreen leaves and vibrant periwinkle-blue blooms brighten spring and summer landscapes with lasting color. This low-maintenance groundcover thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is deer resistant.
- Height: 6 inches
- Light: partial shade
- Zones: zones 4–9
Creeping Jenny
Lysimachia nummularia — Vibrant chartreuse leaves create a bright, trailing carpet that shines from spring through summer. This low-maintenance groundcover thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and is deer resistant.
- Height: 4 inches
- Light: partial shade
- Zones: zones 3–9 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
Liriope (Lilyturf)
Liriope muscari — Vibrant purple flower spikes bloom late summer, adding a pop of color to shady spots. This tough, deer-resistant groundcover thrives in USDA zones 5-10 with minimal care.
- Height: 18 inches
- Light: partial shade
- Zones: zones 5–10
Buffalo Grass
Bouteloua dactyloides — This warm-season grass boasts fine, blue-green foliage that turns golden in fall, adding year-round interest. Highly drought-tolerant and deer resistant, it thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with minimal care.
- Height: 8 inches
- Light: full sun
- Zones: zones 3–9 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
Buffalo Grass
Bouteloua dactyloides — This warm-season grass boasts fine, blue-green foliage that turns golden in fall, adding year-round interest. Highly drought-tolerant and deer resistant, it thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with minimal care.
- Height: 6 inches
- Light: full sun
- Zones: zones 3–9 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
Seashore Paspalum
Paspalum vaginatum — The go-to grass for coastal lawns, golf courses, and salt-spray environments. Seashore Paspalum tolerates salt water, brackish irrigation, and coastal conditions that would kill most other grasses.
- Height: 6 inches
- Light: full sun
- Zones: zones 8–11 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
Kikuyu Grass
Cenchrus clandestinus — One of the most vigorous warm-season grasses available, Kikuyu forms an extremely tough, wear-resistant turf. Its aggressive rhizomatous spread makes it a regulated noxious weed in several western states.
- Height: 8 inches
- Light: full sun
- Zones: zones 9–11 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.
Why Zone 9 Matters
USDA Hardiness Zone 9 defines the minimum winter temperatures your plants must survive. Choosing plants rated for your zone — or colder — ensures they come back year after year without replanting.
Tips for Success
- Plant in groups — massed plantings establish faster and are more visually impactful
- Water during establishment — even drought-tolerant plants need consistent moisture in their first season
- Mulch generously — 2–3 inches of mulch conserves moisture and suppresses weeds
Explore More
Browse our full plant directory to filter by zone, sun requirements, deer resistance, and pet safety — all in one place.
Plant recommendations are based on USDA zone data and reported gardener experience. Individual results may vary based on microclimate, soil conditions, and local deer populations.
