Deer-Resistant Plant Finder

How the deer-resistance ratings work

Every plant here is rated on a four-point scale developed by Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, drawing on nursery professionals, extension staff, and master gardeners. The rating tells you how likely deer are to damage the plant — not whether they will never touch it.

The 🦌 badge marks the A and B plants — the ones safe to plant where deer roam. Use the zone filter to narrow the list to plants that thrive where you live.

What makes a plant deer-resistant?

Deer browse by taste and smell, so the plants they avoid tend to share a few traits. Knowing them helps you guess about plants that aren't on any list:

• Aromatic foliage — herbs like lavender, catmint, sage, rosemary and Russian sage. The oils that smell great to us are off-putting to deer.
• Fuzzy or hairy leaves — lamb's ear, lungwort, and many salvias.
• Prickly or tough textures — barberry, holly, bayberry, and ornamental grasses.
• Toxic or bitter sap — daffodils, foxglove, monkshood, and spurge, which deer instinctively avoid.

Deer keep eating my plants — what works?

Even with resistant plants, a hungry herd in a hard winter will test your garden. A few habits make the biggest difference:

• Lead with A and B plants and keep the deer favorites (the D list) close to the house or behind a fence.
• Rotate repellents. Deer get used to one scent, so alternating products works better than any single spray.
• Protect new plantings. Tender new growth is the most tempting; netting or a temporary cage through the first season helps a lot.
• Fence when it really matters. For a vegetable garden or prized bed, an 8-foot fence is the only sure answer.

Deer-resistant plants FAQ

What are the most deer-resistant plants?

The most deer-resistant choices are the plants Rutgers rates A (Rarely damaged) — aromatic herbs and tough perennials like lavender, catmint, Russian sage, salvia, rosemary, ornamental onion (Allium), daffodils, peony, boxwood, barberry, butterfly bush, and most ornamental grasses and ferns. Deer tend to avoid plants that are fragrant, fuzzy, prickly, or toxic.

Are hostas deer-resistant?

No — hostas are rated D (Frequently severely damaged). Deer consider them a favorite. If you love hostas in a high-deer area, plan on fencing or regular repellent, or pair them with deer-resistant companions.

Are hydrangeas deer-resistant?

Most hydrangeas are rated C (Occasionally severely damaged) — panicle, oakleaf, bigleaf, smooth and climbing hydrangea are all browsed when deer are hungry. They aren't a top target, but they aren't safe in heavy-deer areas without protection.

Are begonias deer-resistant?

Begonias are rated C (Occasionally severely damaged) on the Rutgers list — both wax begonia and hardy begonia. Deer will sometimes nibble them, but they're far from a favorite.

Is any plant truly deer-proof?

No. As Rutgers puts it, no plant is deer-proof. A hungry deer in a hard winter will sample almost anything. The ratings show what deer are most and least likely to damage — success still depends on your local deer pressure, the season, and the weather.