15 Deer and Rabbit Resistant Perennials
Deer and rabbit resistant perennials
Post Updated 11/28/23
Tired of your garden looking like a salad bar for deer and rabbits?
Regardless of what you choose to plant, deer and rabbits have a tendency to decimate both flowers and vegetable plants.
It's a frustrating, losing battle trying to deter these resilient pests.
But don't throw in the trowel just yet. Certain perennials contain natural compounds that make them unappealing to deer and rabbits.
Growing unpalatable plants lets you fight back passively so you can nurture your yard without constantly defending it from invaders.
However, remember that nothing is 100% deer or rabbit-proof, especially in winter when food is scarce.
However, selecting deer and rabbit-resistant varieties still beats spending time and money on endless chemical sprays or ugly barriers.
Start taking control with smart, strategic plant choices today so you can get back to enjoying gardening again.
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Deer and Rabbit Resistant Perennials
Hungry deer and rabbits can wreak havoc on your garden, eating the foliage and flowers of your plants.
Deer and rabbit-resistant perennials are a great option for keeping deer and rabbits at bay.
Here is our list of 15 plants that repel deer and rabbits.
1 Achillea (Yarrow)
Achillea, commonly known as yarrow, is a hardy perennial herb that is prized for its long blooming period and resistance to deer and rabbits.
The plants are typically easy to care for, and they will often self-seed in the garden.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Yarrow possesses a natural resistance to deer and rabbits due to its aromatic foliage bitter taste, and tough foliage.
The strong, distinct fragrance emitted by the leaves is a deterrent, making yarrow less attractive to deer and rabbits.
Additionally, the bitter taste discourages these animals from feeding on the plant, further enhancing its resistance.
Growing conditions:
Yarrow can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, but it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, they are relatively drought tolerant.
Blooming Period:
Flowering typically occurs from late spring to early summer.
2 Aconitum (Monkshood)
Aconitum, also known as monkshood or wolfsbane, is a beautiful but dangerous plant.
All parts of these toxic plants are poisonous, and it has been used throughout history as a weapon of assassination.
Despite its lethal reputation, aconitum is a popular choice for gardens, thanks to its deer and rabbit resistance.
Just be sure to keep it away from small children and pets!
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Aconitum is often considered deer and rabbit-resistant due to the toxic compounds it contains. The plant contains alkaloids, such as aconitine, which are highly poisonous to mammals, including deer and rabbits.
These toxic substances make Monkshood unpalatable and potentially harmful deterring deer and rabbits from consuming the plant.
Growing conditions:
Aconitum grows best in partial shade and moist soil, but it is tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
Blooming Period:
It flowers in mid to late summer.
3 Allium
Allium is a genus of flowering plants that includes onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives.
The characteristic that most Allium species have in common is their strong smell, which deters deer and rabbits from eating them.
Alliums are an excellent choice for keeping foraging animals at bay while attracting bees, butterflies, and your admiration with their vibrant colors and striking forms.
They require very little maintenance and will come back reliably for many years, repelling nibbling visitors year after year.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Alliums have a strong scent and taste that rabbits and deer find highly offensive and will avoid.
Growing conditions:
They thrive with full to partial sun exposure and grow best in well-draining soils that remain relatively dry.
Blooming Period:
It blooms in early summer.
4 Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are cheery perennials with daisy-like flowers featuring deep golden petals and dark brown centers, they add a pop of vibrant color perfect for attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Black-eyed Susans have a bitter taste and strong stem fibers that make them highly unappealing to deer and rabbits.
Growing conditions:
Black-eyed Susans grow in a variety of soil types and prefer full sun to partial shade. They are tolerant of drought.
Blooming Period:
It will bloom from late spring to early fall.
5 Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) features rows of heart-shaped, bright pink and red flowers dangling delicately from arching stems.
Once established, the mound-forming bleeding heart continues emerging reliably from rhizomatous roots each year, unfazed by wandering deer and rabbits in the area.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
The plant contains toxic isoquinoline alkaloids throughout its foliage and stems which make it unpalatable and avoided by nibbling animal visitors.
Growing conditions:
Bleeding hearts are relatively low-maintenance plants, growing best in partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Though they tolerate some sun, too much sun can cause the foliage to scorch.
Blooming Period:
They typically bloom in early spring with blooms lasting up to six weeks.
After flowering, the foliage dies back and the plant goes dormant for the rest of the summer.
6 Buddleia / Butterfly Bush
The Buddleia, or Butterfly Bush, is a fast-growing flowering perennial shrub beloved for their fragrant conical flowers.
By repelling rabbits and deer all season long, butterfly bushes make it possible to enjoy their sweet fragrance and the butterflies and hummingbirds they attract without the threat of a nibble from grazers.
Once established, they will return dependably for years.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
The Buddleia's tough leaves are unpalatable to deer and rabbits, and its woody stems make it difficult for these critters to damage the plant.
In addition, the Buddleia's fast growth rate means that it can quickly recover if any deer browsing does occur.
Growing conditions:
Butterfly bushes thrive with full sun exposure and moderately fertile, well-draining soil.
Minimal care is needed for these tough plants beyond hard pruning each spring to stimulate the prolific flowers.
Blooming Period:
They typically bloom from summer through fall.
7 Daffodils
Cheery yellow daffodils are a classic early spring flower, providing a welcome splash of color after winter.
These striking flowers are part of the narcissus family, and they are known for their vibrant yellow blooms.
Daffodils are relatively easy to care for, and they will bloom year after year with very little maintenance.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
All parts of daffodils, from their foliage to their trumpet-shaped flowers, contain alkaloids making them poisonous to deer and rabbits.
Growing conditions:
They prefer well-drained soil conditions and full sun, but they will also tolerate partial shade.
Blooming Period:
Daffodils are typically one of the first flowers to bloom in spring.
8 Daylilies
Daylilies are a type of perennial flowering plant that is part of the genus Hemerocallis.
They are native to Asia but they have been introduced to Europe and North America.
They are known for their showy flowers, which bloom for just one day. However, the plant produces many flowers over the course of a season, so there is always at least one in bloom.
They come in a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, orange, purple, and pink daylilies.
Daylilies require very little care and maintain reliable seasonal bloom displays.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
All parts of daylilies contain toxic compounds that make them unpleasant tasting and indigestible to foraging deer and rabbits.
Growing conditions:
Daylilies can be planted in full sun or partial shade. They prefer well-drained soil and should be watered regularly during the growing season.
Blooming Period:
They bloom from late spring through late summer.
9 Dianthus
Dianthus is a type of perennial flower that blooms with clusters of ruffled flowers in white, pink, red, and purple tones. Though they are sometimes known as Sweet William.
An excellent choice for trouble-free color that holds up wonderfully despite neighborhood deer and rabbits, dianthus reliably returns each year with an elegant flower display.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Deer and rabbits typically avoid eating dianthus due to the bitter taste of the leaves.
Growing conditions:
They grow best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Blooming Period:
Dianthus are low-maintenance plants that bloom from early summer through fall.
10 Digitalis (Foxglove)
With its statuesque spikes covered in tubular flowers, foxglove (Digitalis) makes a striking garden statement.
The flowers come in a variety of vibrant hues, including white, pink, lavender, yellow, red, and purple.
An easy-care biennial or short-lived perennial, foxgloves self-seed readily once established so gardeners can enjoy years of towering, colorful vertical form rising elegantly above the garden.
With all parts being profoundly toxic, foxgloves can provide decorative drama with no concerns over animal pests nibbling these beautiful but poisonous flowers.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Foxglove contains cardioactive glycosides that make ingesting any part of the plant extremely toxic and life-threatening to not just rabbits and deer but also humans and pets.
For this reason, foxgloves are never bothered by animal pests and are avoided entirely by wildlife seeking edible plants.
Growing conditions:
Foxgloves thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH. They flourish when planted in a location that receives full sun to partial shade.
Blooming Period:
It blooms in early summer.
11 Iris
Iris are classic perennial flowers treasured for their stunning, short-lived blooms.
Irises grow from rhizomes, which are thick, root-like structures that store nutrients. When planting irises, it's important to bury the rhizomes so that they're just below the surface of the soil. Regular division of rhizome clumps every few years will maintain flower production.
Once their sword-like foliage and colorful upright blooms emerge, irises are avoided by nibbling pests and require no protection or animal control.
Irises are ultra-reliable performers, blooming beautifully year after year.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Historically irises have been used for their medicinal properties - the rhizomes and leaves are highly toxic if ingested, containing an irritant that deters grazing by rabbits, deer, and other wildlife.
Growing conditions:
Irises prefer full sun, but they can also tolerate partial shade. They also need well-draining soil in order to thrive.
Irises are relatively drought-tolerant, but they'll produce more flowers if they're given regular watering during dry periods.
Blooming Period:
Blooms in late spring and early summer.
RELATED: Deer Resistant Grasses: How to Grow Them and Why Deer Stay Away
12 Lavandula (Lavender)
Lavender is a fragrant perennial herb prized for its richly colored purple flower spikes and aromatic gray-green foliage.
An ideal plant for gardens prone to rabbit and deer visitors, lavender not only drives away pests with its intense fragrance but also attracts pollinators with the sweet nectar of its dense flower spikes.
Providing year after year of iconic color and scent, lavender grows vigorously despite wildlife intruders and asks little of gardeners in return.
*Lavender is my personal favorite!
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
All parts of lavender plants contain aromatic oils, compounds, and camphor that give them a strongly pungent scent and flavor that deters deer, rabbits, and other wildlife from nibbling their branches and flowers.
Growing conditions:
Lavender makes itself at home in hot, sunny spots with quick-draining soil low in fertility.
Once established, lavender is extremely drought tolerant and requires little care beyond pruning any dead branches.
Blooming Period:
Blooms early to late summer.
13 Monarda / Bee balm
Monarda, commonly known as bee balm or wild bergamot, is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the mint family.
These North American natives are prized for their fragrant flowers that are tubular and two-lipped, which range in color from deep red to purple.
They're also a great choice for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Bee balm contains a pungent natural oil called thymol that gives the plants their signature minty aroma.
This powerful fragrance is overwhelming to the senses and makes bee balm extremely unpleasant tasting and indigestible for deer and rabbits.
The plants also have a tough, fibrous stem structure that makes dining on them difficult.
Growing conditions:
Bee balm flourishes with full sunlight exposure and consistently moist but well-draining soil.
Blooming Period:
Blooms from midsummer into fall.
14 Paeonia / Peony
Peonies are a timeless and traditional favorite for gardeners, florists, and flower lovers alike.
With their captivating scents, vibrant colors, and lush petals, peonies add beauty and elegance. It is no wonder that this iconic perennial flowering plant is treasured for its lush, romantic blooms.
Once peonies are established, they require very little care and maintain sturdy stems and abundant flowers annually, unperturbed by passing animal visitors.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Peonies are resistant to deer and rabbits because of their strong scent.
Growing conditions:
Peonies grow best in full sun or light afternoon shade and fertile, humus-rich soil that retains moisture but also drains well.
They also have great tolerance to drought, heat, and cold once mature.
Blooming Period:
Blooms in late spring and early summer.
15 Perennial Salvia
Salvia is a staple perennial loved for its slender, aromatic leaves and elegant tubular flowers that bloom vigorously through the summer months.
It is a member of the mint family and has a wide variety of colors including, red, pink, purple, blue, and white.
Best of all, they are generally very easy to care for and deer and rabbits tend to leave them alone.
So if you're looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance perennial for your garden, consider Salvia.
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Why deer and rabbits don't like it?
Salvia contains compounds like terpenoids and tannins that make their foliage and flowers incredibly bitter and distasteful.
These properties cause grazing pests like deer and rabbits to steer clear of munching on this plant.
Growing conditions:
Salvia does best in full sun with well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established.
Deadhead spent salvia blooms to encourage continuous flowering.
Blooming Period:
Blooms late spring to early summer.
RELATED: Fixing Floppy Salvias
Some Plants to Avoid Planting that Deer and Rabbits Love
Now that you know what plants repel deer and rabbits, let's take a look at some plants that deer and rabbits love to eat.
If you live in an area where deer and rabbits are a problem, it is best to avoid planting these plants and flowers in your garden.
- hosta
- impatiens
- begonias
- petunias
- zinnias
-hydrangea
-roses
-tulips
-triullium
Ways to Protect Your Plants from Deer and Rabbits
In addition to planting deer and rabbit-resistant plants, there are a few other things you can do to protect your garden from these pests.
-Use fencing: A fence is the best way to keep deer and rabbits out of your garden. If you live in an area with a lot of deer or rabbits, it is worth investing in a good quality fence.
-Use repellents: There are a variety of commercial Deer & Rabbit Repellent available. These products work by emitting a scent that deer and rabbits find unpleasant. Repellents can be applied to the ground around your plants or they can be sprayed on the plants themselves.
- Trim vegetation: Deer and rabbits are more likely to eat plants that are tall and easy to reach. To make your plants less appealing to these pests, keep them trimmed and tidy.
If you're looking for deer and rabbit-resistant flowers for your garden, consider some of the plants on this list. These perennials are tough, beautiful, and most importantly, they won't be eaten by deer and rabbits.
Have you had success with any other plant varieties that are known to be avoided by deer and rabbits? Share them in the comments below.
