Deer-Resistant Landscape Plants

Prepared by:R. E. Leps, Williamson County Extension Agent

Deer can be a major landscape menace – both rural and sometimes urban – in the Hill Country and other areas overpopulated with deer. Deer-proof landscape plants are much in demand.

Few plants are fully deer-proof, but a number of species are impalatable enough to be left alone as other food is available. Droughts and other situations that create a serious food shortage can cause deer to lose their inhibitions and eat otherwise impalatable plants – including most of those listed below. With this disclaimer in mind, the list that follows was prepared.

This list is a compilation from personal observations, suggestions by area nurserymen-landscapers, and from other lists.

Large Trees

None have been observed to be resistant enough to leave unprotected. Fortunately trees can be caged until they grow taller than the deer.

Small Trees or Large Shrubs

  • Texas Buckeye (Acsculus arguta) ** ***
  • Golden Ball Lead Tree (Leucana retusa) **
  • Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana) **
  • Fig (Ficus spp.)
  • Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus lanceolata) **
  • Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) **
  • Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) **
  • Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) ** ***

    • Shrubs

  • Ceniza/Texas Sage (Leucophyllum spp.) * **
  • Oleander (Nerium oleander)
  • Red-leaf or Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunberqii)
  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
  • Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa) **
  • Mexican Oregano (Poliomintha longifolia)
  • Boxwood (Buxus microphylla)
  • Cotoneaster (‘Coral Beauty' Cotoneaster dammeri) *
  • Dwarf Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) **
  • Fragrant Mimosa (Mimosa borealis) **
  • Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea) *
  • Goldcup (Hypericum spp.)
  • Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) ** ***
  • Mexican silktassle (Gaura lindheimeri) **
  • Juniper (Juniperus spp.) * **
  • Agarita (Berberis trifloriolata) **
  • Blackberry (Rubus spp.) (thorny only) * **
  • Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens) **
  • Nandina (Nandina spp.) * ***
  • Autumn Aster (Aster oblingifolius) *
  • Turk's cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) ** ***
  • Elaeagnus (Elaegnus spp.)
  • Dwarf Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta)
  • Japanese Aralia (Aralia sieboldii)
  • Aucuba (Aucuba japonica) ***
  • Abelia (Abelia spp.)
  • Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) * **
  • Pampas Grass (Cortaderia spp.)
  • Lantana (Lantana horrida) (natives resistant/hybrids not) * **

    • Perennial Succulents and Lilies

  • Cactus (Opuntia spp.)any with stout spines **
  • Hen and chickens (Sempervivum spp.) (spiney varieties)
  • Yucca (Yucca spp.) **
  • Red Yucca (Hesperalve pavriflora) flowers eaten **
  • Sotol (Dasylirion spp.) * **
  • Sacahuista/Bear Grass/Nolina (Nolina spp.) **
  • Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus spp.)
  • Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) ***

    • Vines

  • Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
  • Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) *

    • Ground Covers

  • Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) *
  • Santolina (Santolina spp.) **
  • Aarons Beard (Hypericum calycinum)
  • Spearmint (Menta spicata) ***
  • Myrtle (Vinca major) ***
  • Carpet Bugle (Ajuga reptans) * ***
  • Monkey Grass (Ophiopogon japonica) *

    • Flowers, Ferns, Herbs

  • Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
  • Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) **
  • Cedar Sage (Salvia roemeriana) ** ***
  • Verbena (Verbena spp.) **
  • Zexmenia (Zexmenia hispida) **
  • Iris (Iris spp.) *
  • Begonia (Begonia spp.) *
  • Indigo Spires (Salvia spp.)
  • Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucanthia) *
  • Periwinkle (Vinca rosea)
  • Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
  • Ageratum (Ageratum spp.)
  • Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) **
  • Yarrow (Achillea filipendulina) **
  • Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
  • Foxglove (Digitalis spp.) **
  • Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea angustifolia) * **
  • Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus wrightii)
  • Zinnia (Zinnia spp.) *
  • Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium lecanthum) **
  • Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.) (flowers eaten)
  • Wood Fern (Dryopteris spp.) ** ***
  • Sword Fern (Nephrolepsis spp.) ***
  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) **
  • Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea) **
  • Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)


    • *Observed heavily eaten under pressure
    **Texas Natives
    ***Shade Tolerant