About This Collection
Groundhogs (also called woodchucks) are voracious eaters that can devastate a vegetable bed or ornamental planting overnight. A single groundhog can consume 1.5 pounds of vegetation per day. Unlike deer, groundhogs tend to eat low-growing plants close to the ground â which means your perennials, groundcovers, and young shrubs are most at risk.
Groundhog-resistant plants share common traits: strong aromatic foliage (lavender, catmint, Russian sage), fuzzy or rough textures (lamb's ear, yarrow), or bitter/toxic compounds (daffodils, foxglove). These natural defenses make the plants unpalatable to groundhogs even when other food is scarce.
PlantWise identifies plants that groundhogs consistently avoid and matches them to your USDA zone. Combine groundhog-resistant plants with physical barriers (hardware cloth buried 12 inches deep) for the most effective protection.
Find Groundhog-Resistant Plants for My Zone â or browse the interactive directory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What plants do groundhogs hate most?
Groundhogs strongly avoid aromatic herbs and flowers: lavender, catmint, Russian sage, yarrow, and salvia. They also avoid plants with rough textures (lamb's ear), toxic compounds (daffodils, foxglove), and thorny stems.
Will groundhog-resistant plants always work?
No plant is 100% groundhog-proof. Hungry groundhogs, especially in late summer when food is scarce, may sample plants they normally avoid. Resistant plants significantly reduce damage but physical barriers provide the most reliable protection.
How do I keep groundhogs out of my yard entirely?
The most effective method is hardware cloth fencing buried 12 inches deep (groundhogs are excellent diggers) and extending 3 feet above ground. An L-shaped footer buried underground prevents them from digging under the fence.
Are groundhog-resistant and deer-resistant plants the same?
Often yes â many plants with aromatic foliage or bitter compounds deter both deer and groundhogs. Lavender, catmint, Russian sage, and yarrow appear on both resistant lists. However, some deer-resistant plants (hostas, daylilies) are groundhog favorites.