Why Choose Deer-Resistant Plants?
Deer damage is one of the most frustrating challenges for home gardeners. The right plant selection can save you hundreds of dollars in replacements and hours of frustration. Our curated list of 221 deer-resistant varieties includes perennials, shrubs, trees, groundcovers, and ornamental grasses — all matched to USDA hardiness zones.
Browse by zone, sun exposure, or plant type using our interactive directory, or use our personalized plant advisor to get a custom list for your yard.
Featured Deer-Resistant Plants
Agastache
Agastache foeniculum
Zones 4–8
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Agave
Agave americana
Zones 8–11
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinators
Ajuga
Ajuga reptans
Zones 3–10
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🐝 Pollinators
Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Allium giganteum
Zones 4–8
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinators
Allium Purple Sensation
Allium aflatunense
Zones 4–8
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinators
American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Zones 3–9
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Amsonia
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Zones 3–9
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Andromeda
Pieris floribunda
Zones 5–8
🦌 Deer-Resistant🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Apache Plume
Fallugia paradoxa
Zones 5–10
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Armeria Sea Thrift
Armeria maritima
Zones 4–8
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🐝 Pollinators
Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Zones 3–8
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Astilbe
Astilbe x arendsii
Zones 4–8
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🐝 Pollinators
Aucuba
Aucuba japonica
Zones 7–10
🦌 Deer-Resistant
Azalea Encore
Rhododendron Encore series
Zones 6–10
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinators
Baptisia White Wild Indigo
Baptisia alba
Zones 3–9
🦌 Deer-Resistant🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Bayberry
Myrica pensylvanica
Zones 3–7
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
Zones 6–10
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Zones 4–9
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Begonia (Wax)
Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum
Zones 2–11
🦌 Deer-Resistant
Bergenia
Bergenia cordifolia
Zones 3–8
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinators
Black Gum
Nyssa sylvatica
Zones 4–9
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Zones 3–9
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia aristata
Zones 3–10
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Zones 3–9
🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators
Wildlife Resistance Note: No plant is 100% deer-proof. Deer behavior varies by region, season, and food availability. These plants are consistently rated as low-preference by deer in most conditions, but hungry deer may browse any plant.